Below is an interview from Highlands Today News, featuring Paula House:

Why did you start your business:  Mediation has become more and more important, as our courts have been overstretched and underfunded.  When I first came to Highlands County, I noticed that very few attorneys were doing mediation here.  As a lawyer, I had done mediations, but had always been interested in a practice dedicated solely to mediation.  So, I decided to see if I could make it happen.

Is there anything unique about your business that makes it different from the competition?  It is not unusual for attorneys to have a side business in mediation and to use each other as mediators as a part of the court action.  I do some court-related mediation, but the bulk of my business is very different.

I work with individuals who are not accompanied by attorneys.  Mediation is an opportunity for people in dispute to settle their problems with solutions they craft themselves and agree to.  With a skilled mediator who has problem solving techniques, the parties can be assisted to think in new ways.  They can come up with solutions that fit their special life circumstances.

One unique service I offer is called, “Divorce by Mediation.”   Divorce is often a painful and expensive circumstance for people.  With my service, a divorcing couple can meet with me without attorneys, even if they are in turmoil with a lot of conflict.  I will use mediation and problem solving techniques to guide the discussion to find solutions so they can move on with their lives.  Once an agreement is reached, filing for the divorce is routine, using forms provided by the court.  Parties save emotionally and financially.  There are no retainers, no dueling lawyers and the parties keep all their options for taking legal or other actions later, if the mediation fails.

What challenges do you face in business?   Most people think mediation is only for court actions.  But this is not true.  Mediation is a problem solving process that can help people better exist together. Businesses can use mediation to resolve employee, management and other issues.  Inter-familial problems can be solved through mediation, rather than leaving them to fester and get worse.  Neighbors can mediate when conditions or circumstances make it hard to get along side by side.

What do you like about your business? Law has always been for me a “helping profession” although that is not the popular perception.  After 25 years of assisting individuals and businesses in the litigation process, it is very satisfying to help individuals resolve disputes under an umbrella of peace, rather than conflict.