Avvo Rating 10.0 Patrick Cruise
Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers top 100 Tennessee
Board Certified ATAA
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent 2022
Client Champion Platinum 2025
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Avvo Rating 9.9 Annette T. Kelley Top Attorneys
Super Lawyers Patrick Cruise 10 years

Mediation

Mediation Services

Resolving Disputes Efficiently. Professionally. Fairly.

At The Hamilton Firm, we understand that not every legal dispute needs to be resolved in a courtroom. Mediation offers a practical, cost-effective, and confidential way to resolve conflicts while allowing all parties to maintain greater control over the outcome. Our mediation services are designed to help individuals, businesses, and attorneys reach meaningful resolutions without the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which a neutral third party—the mediator—helps disputing parties communicate, identify issues, and work toward a mutually acceptable agreement. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, a mediator does not make decisions or impose outcomes. Instead, the mediator facilitates productive discussions and guides the parties toward resolution.

18,700+ Mediation Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

Why Choose Mediation?

Mediation offers several important advantages, including:

  • Cost-Effective: Often significantly less expensive than litigation.
  • Time-Saving: Disputes can be resolved in days or weeks rather than months or years.
  • Confidential: Discussions and negotiations remain private.
  • Flexible: Solutions can be tailored to the unique needs of the parties.
  • Preserves Relationships: Encourages cooperation and reduces hostility.
  • Party-Controlled Outcomes: Parties retain decision-making authority.

Our Mediation Services

The Hamilton Firm offers mediation services for Tennessee state law matters only. We handle a wide range of disputes and specialize in cases that are complex, unusual, or outside the typical mold.

We provide mediation for matters including, but not limited to:

  • Personal Injury Disputes
  • Business and Contract Disputes
  • Estate and Probate Disputes
  • Civil Litigation Matters
  • Insurance Coverage and Liability Disputes
  • Pre-Litigation and Post-Litigation Matters

We do not mediate domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, or related family law disputes.

With experience handling a wide variety of cases, our mediator brings a versatile, adaptable perspective—making The Hamilton Firm an excellent choice for disputes that don’t fit neatly into a box.

Why Mediate with The Hamilton Firm?

  • Tennessee-Focused Practice: We mediate Tennessee state law cases, ensuring a clear understanding of local procedures and legal standards.
  • Experienced Legal Perspective: With a background spanning personal injury, business, estate, and complex civil matters, our mediator understands risk assessment and realistic outcomes.
  • Jack-of-All-Trades Experience: Years of handling “weird,” complicated, and out-of-the-ordinary cases allows us to navigate unique disputes with confidence.
  • Neutral & Ethical Facilitation: We remain impartial while guiding productive, solution-oriented discussions.
  • Practical, Results-Driven Approach: Our goal is resolution—efficient, thoughtful, and tailored to the dispute at hand.

Serving Tennessee State Law Cases

The Hamilton Firm provides mediation services exclusively for Tennessee cases. Mediation sessions may be conducted in person or virtually, depending on the needs of the parties and counsel.

Schedule a Mediation

If you are interested in mediation or would like to determine whether mediation is right for your dispute, we invite you to contact The Hamilton Firm today.

Call us at 423. 634.0871 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation and learn more about our mediation services.

As an additional way to contact us regarding mediation, you may email Bill Rieder’s paralegal, Regina Collis, at regina@thehamiltonfirm.com. Please include “Mediation” in the subject line.

The Hamilton Firm is committed to providing effective, ethical, and client-focused dispute resolution solutions.

Meet the Mediator

Bill Rieder

  • Rule 31 Listed General Civil Mediator in Tennessee
  • Over 15 years of civil litigation experience (since 2007), representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants
  • Extensive background in professional negligence and tort liability matters
  • Successfully defended:
    • Healthcare providers (physicians, practice groups, hospitals)
    • Attorneys
    • Insureds in motor vehicle and trucking accidents
    • Premises liability claims involving hospitals and apartment complexes
    • General liability claims for businesses
  • Proven trial and dispositive motion experience, including:
    • Summary dismissals
    • Defense verdicts
    • Trial verdicts in complex contract disputes
  • Experience handling non-traditional and highly complex cases, including:
    • Physician practice group disputes
    • Property disputes involving private airstrips
    • Non-compete and contract litigation
  • Recognized for litigation excellence:
    • Super Lawyers – Mid-South Rising Star (2016–Present)
    • American Society of Legal Advocates – Top 40 Under 40 for Tennessee Litigation
  • Known for understanding both sides of the “v.”, allowing him to realistically assess risk, exposure, and settlement value
  • Brings a practical, solution-oriented approach to mediation—especially effective in complicated or unusual disputes

Professional Affiliations & Honors

  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Graduate, Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Program (2015)
  • Chattanooga Bar Association
  • Young Lawyers Division Board Member (2009–2014)
  • Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association:
    • Legislative Committee (2016)
    • Co-Chair, Professional Negligence & Healthcare Section (2016–2019)

Bar Admissions

  • Tennessee (2007)
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee
  • U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • University of the South (Sewanee)
    • B.A. in History, Magna Cum Laude, with distinction (2003)
  • University of Tennessee College of Law
    • Juris Doctor (2007)
    • Tennessee Law Review:
      • Second-Year Editor (2005–2006)
      • Third-Year Editor (2006–2007)

Hear From Our Clients

"Absolutely excellent attorneys." - They were able to help me, a 60-year-old client who had never been injured, navigate all my questions and anxiety with insurance to a...

Debby

"Tenacity of a Bulldog" - Patrick is the embodiment of everything you want in an attorney. He is very responsive to the needs of his clients & fights for you with the...

Richard Frailley

"Such Genuine Kindness" - Patrick recently helped co-counsel my case. I was impressed with the thoroughness he took in finding out all details that he could that helped...

Christine Raines

he knowledge they have about the cases that they work on combined with superior client service is above and beyond most firms.

Traci Kaas

He navigated settlement and all discussions in an amazing manner. I do not have words to express my appreciation for this attorney.

Debby

The Hamilton Firm LLC is amazing, showing genuine kindness and tough advocacy. They were thorough in finding details to help settle my case favorably, and treated us with...

Christine Raines

The Hamilton Firm LLC is amazing, compassionate with clients and tough with opposing counsel. They recently co-counseled my case and were thorough in finding details to...

Christine Raines

My experience with The Hamilton Firm LLC could not have been better. They were very empathic and understanding, always keeping me updated. Even after relocating 3000...

Stephanie Monday

I would recommend Annette Kelley to any friend who are looking for counsel related to accident incidents. Mrs.Kelley was hired by us to deal with a 5 car crash incident...

Anu Mallireddy

Patrick is the embodiment of everything you want in an attorney. He is very responsive to the needs of his clients & fights for you with the tenacity of a bulldog

Richard Frailley

Beyond everything thank you! Thank you for taking the chance representing me. Thank you for believing me and the evidence available. Thank you for your knowledge and...

Former Client

Working with Attorney Annette Kelley was a real pleasure. She is persistent and took a solution-oriented approach to my circumstance. I appreciate her unwavering...

Delilah Freeman

Patrick recently helped co-counsel my case. I was impressed with the thoroughness he took in finding out all details that he could that helped settle my case favorably.

Christine Raines

The team at The Hamilton Firm LLC is exceptional to work with. Their knowledge about cases combined with superior client service is above and beyond most firms.

Traci Kaas

I was kept up to date with the progress always. I relocated during my case and it all went smoothly even 3000 miles away. Five stars all the way for Patrick and his...

Stephanie Monday

The Hamilton Firm LLC is amazing and compassionate with clients while being tough with opposing counsel. They were thorough in finding details to help settle my case...

Christine Raines

Annette Kelley of the Hamilton Firm not only worked hard to get the most for my case, she also cared about me as a person. Annette and her team are focused on what is...

Rose Hamilton

They were able to help me, a 60-year-old client who had never been injured, navigate all my questions and anxiety with insurance to a stress-free solution.

Debby

No Fee Unless You Win

Fill out the contact form or call us at (423) 634-0871 to schedule your free case evaluation.

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