Efficient Dispute Resolution That Protects Your Position
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provides faster and less costly alternatives to courtroom litigation for resolving complex legal disputes. Thomas Horstemeyer’s litigators resolve intellectual property matters through arbitration and mediation, representing Fortune 500 companies, startups, and universities in high-stakes proceedings that determine competitive positions and protect market shares.
Federal courts recognize this expertise. Managing Partner Andrew Crain was appointed Special Master in patent infringement litigation in the Northern District of Georgia.
Why Alternative Dispute Resolution Matters
ADR proceedings maintain confidentiality, employ expert decision-makers instead of juries, and give parties greater control over outcomes. What could take years in court often resolves in a matter of months.
Beyond cost savings, ADR serves strategic objectives including preserving business relationships, protecting trade secrets, and achieving flexible solutions unavailable through traditional litigation. Success requires understanding both the technical merits and strategic implications of each approach. Thomas Horstemeyer delivers both.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Types
Binding Resolution Methods
- Arbitration: Selection of one or more neutral third parties who render a binding decision following the presentation of evidence. May be compelled by court rule or by agreement of the parties, who typically share the expense. Provides finality with limited appeal rights while maintaining confidentiality.
- Summary Jury Trial: Private proceeding in a courtroom overseen by a judge, with jurors selected similar to ordinary jury trials. Jurors provide either non-binding decisions or can be empowered to provide binding decisions. Parties typically engage in negotiation or mediation after non-binding summary jury trials to resolve disputes.
Facilitated Resolution Methods
- Mediation: Neutral third party assists parties in arriving at their own confidential solution without power to impose outcomes. Parties retain ultimate control over the process and resolution, preserving business relationships while resolving disputes efficiently.
- Mini-Trial: Proceeding used in commercial disputes involving a hearing before a neutral third party selected by the parties. Requires senior representatives with settlement authority to attend. Allows parties to retain control over outcomes and provides opportunity for flexible and creative solutions.
Direct Resolution Methods
- Negotiation: The most widely used form of alternative resolution, resulting in settlement before trial in more than 90% of disputes. Direct negotiation between parties with attorney guidance resolves civil and criminal matters efficiently and cost-effectively.
Unsure which ADR approach fits your case? Our attorneys will help you identify the most effective path forward for your specific situation.
When Alternative Dispute Resolution Makes Sense
For disputes where confidentiality matters, arbitration and mediation protect trade secrets and maintain privacy through proceedings with no public record, safeguarding sensitive business information throughout the resolution process.
For complex disputes where litigation costs threaten your budget, ADR provides reduced costs through streamlined procedures, limited discovery, and faster timelines compared to traditional litigation.
For technical IP issues requiring specialized expertise, ADR employs learned or expert fact-finders instead of public juries, ensuring decision-makers who understand your technology guide the resolution.
For business relationships worth preserving, ADR’s collaborative approach resolves conflicts fairly while maintaining ongoing partnerships and future opportunities that adversarial litigation might damage.
Our Comprehensive ADR Experience
We represent clients across all alternative dispute resolution methods: arbitration, mediation, mini-trials, negotiation, and summary jury trials. Our experience extends to both mandatory and voluntary proceedings, ensuring we navigate procedural requirements effectively.
We coordinate ADR strategy with litigation and prosecution efforts, ensuring proceedings advance your broader business objectives rather than existing as isolated dispute resolution.
Industries We Serve
We’ve resolved disputes across countless industries requiring technical expertise. Representative examples include:
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Biotechnology
- Consumer products
- Defense
What You Gain Working With Thomas Horstemeyer
- Proven track record against major firms
- Integrated litigation and prosecution teams
- Assigned relationship attorney with direct access
- Nearly 30 years of exclusive IP focus
- Cost-effective representation driven by focused teams
Resolve Disputes Efficiently With Experienced ADR Attorneys
Alternative Dispute Resolution determines outcomes faster and more cost-effectively than traditional litigation while maintaining confidentiality and preserving business relationships. Work with attorneys who deliver strategic ADR solutions.