Legal Mediation
Refer a legal matter for mediation.
We respond quickly to every inquiry. A thorough conflict check matters, and we do not let it slow things down. Once cleared, we move directly into confirming availability, fees, and next steps, so your matter keeps moving rather than sitting in queue.
What we mediate
Matters we take.
Employment and workplace
- Discrimination and harassment claims under Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, and the New York State Human Rights Law
- Retaliation and whistleblower claims
- Wrongful termination, separation, and severance disputes
- Wage and hour disputes
- Reasonable accommodation and interactive process disputes
- FMLA, leave, and benefits disputes
- Discipline, performance management, and policy application disputes
Commercial and business
- Breach of contract
- Vendor and services agreement disputes
- Partnership, ownership, and governance disagreements
- Business to business disputes
Civil
- Personal injury
- Property damage
- Insurance coverage disputes
- Consumer disputes
Education
- Special education and school district matters
- Governance and compliance disputes involving school districts, charter and private schools, and not-for-profits
Session options
- Half-day and full-day sessions
- In-person sessions
- Virtual sessions by videoconference
- Pre-suit and pre-claim matters
- Matters in active litigation, including court-ordered and court-referred mediations
- Matters pending on appeal
- Nationwide, in person and virtually
If your matter is not listed here, ask. We will tell you plainly whether it is one we should take.
Your mediator
Sheri L. Mooney.
Sheri L. Mooney founded The Mooney Firm after nearly two decades as a litigator and a second career leading organizations from the inside. As a partner at a New York Top 100 AV-rated firm, she tried and argued cases at the trial and appellate level in both state and federal court, in employment, education, commercial, and tort matters. She then served in senior executive roles in banking and healthcare, with direct responsibility for personnel and organizational decisions.
That combination is what she brings to a mediation. She understands what a case is worth to your client, what a trial date and a discovery schedule do to settlement posture, and what an institutional party needs in order to say yes.
- LitigationTrial and appellate practice in state and federal court, as a former partner at a New York Top 100 AV-rated firm.
- Executive leadershipSenior roles in banking, healthcare, and multi-site physician practice, including direct responsibility for personnel matters.
- Mediation trainingProfessional Mediation Certification from the Cornell ILR Scheinman Institute, New York State Part 146 training, and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service training.
- CoachingCertified Leadership Coach with training in active listening, and certified in the HOGAN suite of assessments.
More about Sheri's background, admissions, panels, and service is on the About page.
Working With You
We respect your relationship with your client.
We understand that you are the one who knows this client and this matter. Our role is to support that relationship, not to work around it. We keep you informed at each step, defer to your judgment on timing and readiness, and never lose sight of the fact that most people involved in a dispute have already lived with the conflict longer than they wanted to. Our goal is to move the matter toward resolution as efficiently as the process allows.
Start here
Send us a general inquiry.
Use the online form to share your contact information, your organization or firm, and the general type of matter, for instance employment, contract, or personal injury. If the matter is time-sensitive, such as an approaching statute of limitations or court-ordered deadline, please note that as well. Do not include party or counsel names, dispute facts, pleadings, medical records, settlement communications, or other documents. We respond quickly to every inquiry, and if the matter moves forward, we will explain how to provide the names needed for a conflict check.
Emailing us does not establish that we can serve as mediator or create an attorney-client relationship.
If the inquiry moves forward
Information we may request.
- The names of all parties, counsel, carriers, and related entities needed for a conflict check.
- Whether the matter is pending or pre-suit.
- A general timing need, without confidential facts or advocacy.
- Whether the inquiry is about an in-person, virtual, half-day, or full-day session.
Availability and fees
Confirm timing and terms.
After a conflict check and brief review, we confirm availability and the applicable fee structure. We provide cancellation, travel, virtual-session, and other terms before a date is finalized.
To begin, call 716.932.8566 or email smooney@attymooney.com.
Questions and answers
Questions attorneys ask about referring a matter
What should the first inquiry include?
Your contact information, your organization or firm, and the general type of matter, for instance employment, contract, or personal injury. If the matter is time-sensitive, such as an approaching statute of limitations or court-ordered deadline, note that as well.
What should I leave out of the first inquiry?
Party or counsel names, dispute facts, pleadings, medical records, settlement communications, and other documents. If the inquiry moves forward, we explain how to provide the names needed for a conflict check.
How does the conflict check work?
We ask for the names of all parties, counsel, carriers, and related entities. The check is thorough, and we do not let it slow things down. Once it clears, we move directly into availability, fees, and next steps.
What session formats are available?
Most matters are booked for a half-day or full-day session, depending on complexity. Sessions can be in person or virtual, and we mediate nationwide.
When are fees and terms confirmed?
After the conflict check and a brief review. We confirm availability and the applicable fee structure, then provide cancellation, travel, virtual-session, and other terms before a date is finalized.
Does contacting you create an attorney-client relationship?
No. Emailing us does not establish that we can serve as mediator or create an attorney-client relationship. As mediator, Sheri remains neutral and represents no party.
Resources
Prepare for mediation.
- Preparing to Refer a Matter (PDF)A checklist for attorneys and their staff.
- What to Expect at Your Mediation (PDF)A guide for parties preparing for mediation of a legal matter.
Contact me
Ask me about fit and availability.
Start with your contact details and a general matter type. Do not send party names, dispute facts, or documents.