Why Choose Sage Mediation Solutions?

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Sage Mediation Values

Avoid the Delays of Trial

Avoid the Unpredictability of Trial

Avoid the Cost of Trial

Achieve Success

Rick Morefield leads the firm’s mediation services practice and regularly serves as a mediator throughout Kansas and Missouri.

 He has been on the approved mediator list for the United States District Court of Missouri Western District since obtaining advanced mediation training in 2012. He is on the Western District of Missouri Category 1 Panel and the Missouri Rule 17 approved mediator list. 

He mediates cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, business disputes, trusts and estates, and other matters. His depth of experience, patience, persistence, and follow-up help the parties settle their case on their own terms.

Richard Morefield will work tirelessly to support all your mediation needs.
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Richard Morefield Super Lawyers Badge 15 Years

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) where a neutral third party helps the parties negotiate a settlement of their case. Discussions with the mediator are confidential, allowing the parties to have more meaningful and successful negotiations. Mediation provides an excellent alternative to the cost, risk, and stress of a formal trial. It can be used in a wide range of legal disputes, including family law, business disputes, and personal injury cases.

Testimonials

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Rick has quickly become one of my favorite mediators. He is always extremely well prepared for a mediation, having carefully reviewed the submitted materials and taken ample time to speak with me in advance. Rick is equally impressive during the mediation itself. His thoughtful, measured approach to the parties and counsel is highly effective. His energy and enthusiasm keep everyone engaged, even over the course of a long day. Rick is particularly adept at building rapport with participants of diverse personalities, and he seems to effortlessly range from compassionate to direct, as the issues require.

Kevin J. Karpin, Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris, LLC
Partner

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Rick was no-nonsense and navigated an emotionally charged case involving severe injuries with tricky defenses and coverage issues. Though the case didn’t settle the day we mediated but Rick stayed with it and we settled the following week.

Kevin J. Karpin, Seyferth Blumenthal & Harris, LLC
Partner

Slide

Rick is very thorough in his preparation for mediation. He took time the day before our mediation to call me and talk through my case. He even raised a couple questions I should anticipate during the mediation. Although the case didn’t settle the following day, Rick stayed in touch with all the parties and kept the conversation going. Ultimately, because of his hard work, the case settled 10 days after mediation.

Mike Fleming, Kapke Willerth
Past-President Kansas Trial Lawyers Association

Slide

Rick is a fantastic mediator. He was diligent in his preparation and resolved the case during the mediation. Rick did not merely relay offers back and forth between the parties. Rather, he challenged each side to consider various options, positions, as well as outcomes. One thing I really appreciated about him is that he has a defense and plaintiff’s background so he was able to offer great insights to the parties. He has a high level of professionalism and quickly builds rapport with the participants. It was a pleasure to mediate with him and I will surely use him again when the opportunity arises.

Michael Kopit, Litchfield Cavo, LLP
Partner

Slide

Rick is one of the best mediators I have used. He is thoughtful in his approach and takes the time to understand both the legal and practical issues facing the parties. By identifying the practical roadblocks to the resolution, he is able to get the parties to stop focusing solely on their position and instead look at how to get to the settlement that is in everyone's best interests.

Colin D. Stoner, cdstoner
Founding Partner

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Contact Rick

The link at the top of the page will take you to Rick's calendar to look for availability. If you would prefer, fill out the contact firm on the right and he will reach out directly to you to discuss possible next steps.

Why Choose Mediation?​

Mediation has many benefits that make it an attractive choice for resolving disputes:

Control

In a mediation, the disputing parties negotiate the outcome of their case with the help of a mediator. In court cases, the final decision is made by a judge or jury. Trials usually have a winner and loser. At mediation, the parties can decide to compromise and they can resolve their case in ways that would not be possible through trial.

Confidentiality

Mediation is a private process. Anything discussed during mediation cannot be revealed outside of the mediation process, providing a place for open and honest communication. If the parties desire, their settlement can be confidential. Jury verdicts are public.

Cost Effectiveness​

Mediation costs less than continued litigation and significantly less than a trial. The process is quicker, reducing legal fees and court costs.

Risk

Trial is inherently risky. Sometimes great lawyers lose good cases. No trial is a “sure thing.” Mediation enables the parties to negotiate a settlement that both parties are comfortable with, eliminating the risk of an unexpectedly bad outcome.

Relationship Preservation

Because mediation is a more collaborative process, it can help preserve relationships that might otherwise be damaged in a contentious court trial. This is often important in business cases and in probate litigation where the parties may want or need to interact in the future.

Flexibility

Rick Morefield tailors the mediation to fit the needs of the parties involved. The process is flexible, allowing for creative solutions and terms that might not be possible in a court setting.

More FAQs

How Does Mediation Work?

In Kansas and Missouri, mediation is encouraged and often required by the courts for certain types of disputes. The mediation process typically
involves the following steps:

01. Initial Contact

The parties or their attorneys contact a mediator to arrange for a mediation session.

02. Preparation

Typically, the parties send the mediator a case summary ahead of the mediation. The mediator holds separate pre-mediation meetings with the lawyers to learn more about the dispute and to prepare both parties for the mediation session.

03. Mediation Session

Most mediations begin with a joint session in which the mediator explains the process to the parties and their lawyers. Each party will have an opportunity to share their perspective with the mediator either in the joint session or privately. Whether the parties discuss their positions in a joint meeting or in private meetings with the mediator is a decision the parties make with the mediator before the mediation session begins. The mediator then facilitates negotiation between the parties. Most of the work in a mediation takes place in private sessions. When the parties and mediator agree it will be beneficial, the parties can have joint meetings. One of the benefits of mediation is that the process can be modified to meet the needs of the case and the parties.

04. Agreement

If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator will often help draft a basic agreement, which is then reviewed by the parties and their attorneys. Once signed, the agreement becomes legally binding. The parties usually draft a more detailed settlement agreement at a later time with the help of their lawyers.

05. Follow Up

If no agreement is reached, the parties may decide to continue with additional mediation sessions, or they may choose to proceed with litigation. Rick offers a reasonable amount of complimentary follow-up for cases that don’t settle during the additional session.

Mediators must adhere to high ethical standards of professionalism, impartiality, and confidentiality. As a lawyer who has handled a wide variety of cases, Rick is able to quickly get to the heart of legal issues and help the parties achieve a mutually agreeable solution to their case.

This calendar displays actual mediation slots available to reserve.

If you don’t find a date that works for you, please call Rick a call at (913) 839-2808. In some cases, other time slots can be made available.

Sage Mediation Solutions is a service of Morefield Speicher Bachman. LLC

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11814 W. 135th St., Overland Park, KS 66221

Call: (913) 839 2808
Fax: (913) 839 2807

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Choice of Attorney

The choice of an attorney is an important decision and should not be based on advertisements alone (like this website). We believe it’s critical that you meet the legal team that will be representing you before deciding which attorney to hire. Look around our site. If you like what you see, please call (913) 839 2808 to schedule your consultation. Consultations for cases involving injuries or the loss of a loved one are free. Consultations for business related matters are offered at a discounted flat rate.

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