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Mediation & Arbitration

Mediation

Mediation is a process that provides an opportunity for people in conflict to reach a mutually satisfying resolution with the help of an impartial third party, the mediator. Mediation is voluntary and confidential. A mediator is trained to help people resolve disputes. The mediator is neutral, does not take one side or the other, and does not make decisions for the parties. The mediator helps parties communicate by listening to both parties and helping them listen to each other so that they can agree on mutually acceptable solutions. A mediator will help parties reach and draft their own agreements.

For more information on the court-connection mediation program please visit Rules Center – and select Court-Connected Mediator Qualifications.

For a roster of mediators in the Sixth Judicial District (Morrow and Umatilla Countis) who have experience in general civil; probate; domestic relations custody and parenting; and domestic relations financial issues, please refer to the Court-Connected Mediators list. These mediators have met the requirements of Chief Justice Order No. 05-028, defining the requisite training and experience for designation as a court-connected mediator. The roster is provided as a service to the public, to help members of the public locate a mediator to help them resolve conflicts in the applicable field. Inclusion on this roster does not constitute a recommendation by the court. Link to roster of approved mediators (with each name further linked to individual applications). 

Court-Connected Mediators

Nothing under this category at this point​



Nothing under this category at this point​​

​Merika Jones
merikajones@outlook.com​​623 N Main St., Pendleton, OR 97801
​Robin Stedfeld
​rstedfeld@gmail.com
​PO Box 2903, La Grande, OR 97850


Nothing under this category at this point​​


Arbitration 

Arbitration is a legal procedure, much like a trial by a judge or a jury. The arbitrator hears the evidence and makes a decision, instead of a judge or a jury. Like a judge, an arbitrator makes rulings on motions, enters orders, and may impose penalties on a party who does not comply with the arbitrator’s orders. A list of eligible arbitrators are established and maintained pursuant to UTCR 13.090 and is available at the Court Administration Office.

Under Oregon Statutes 36.400 through 36.425 and Uniform Trial Court Rules Chapter 13, both Civil and Family cases may be eligible for arbitration. A civil case is eligible for a mandatory arbitration if the initial amount sought for damages is less than $50,000. Parties in family law cases must participate in arbitration if the dispute does not involve custody or support.

How does arbitration work?

Once a case is determined to be arbitration eligible, the court sends the parties a list of available arbitrators. The parties then have 21 days to notify the Court of arbitrator selection from the list or stipulate to an arbitrator not listed. If the parties do not agree on the arbitrator selection, the court will assign the arbitrator pursuant to UTCR 13.080.

Once appointed, the arbitrator sets the time, date, and place of the hearing and notifies the parties in compliance with ORS 36.420. Per UTCR 13.160, parties are required to pay arbitration and, except for good cause shown, the arbitration hearing must be scheduled and take place not later than 49 days from the date an arbitrator is assigned to the case. An arbitrator is required to render a decision within 42 days of the hearing date under UTCR 13.220. If an appeal is desired of an arbitrator’s decision, a party must file an appeal of the arbitration award within 20 days of the arbitrator’s decision and appropriate trial fee as required under UTCR 13.250 and ORS 36.425. The non-prevailing party may be required to pay the prevailing party’s share of the arbitration fees.

Can an arbitrator decision be appealed?

If either side does not want to accept the arbitrator’s decision then usually the case may go back before a court ( judge or jury) for a decision, or to the court for enforcement.  With statutory arbitration, a party wishing to appeal the arbitration award must do so within 20 days after the arbitration award is filed with the court.  The case then goes to trial, known as trial de novo. 

Court Approved Arbitrators

​​​
​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
​Rate/Hourly
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$20​0.00
​​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276​-2811
​PO Box 628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00

​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
Rate/Hourly
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$20​0.00
​​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276​-2811
​PO Box 628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00
​​


​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
Rate/Hourly
Anderson, Bruce E
541-963-7705
PO Box 1671, La Grande, OR 97850
821790​
$20​0.00
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$20​0.00
​​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00​​



  • Contracts
​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
​Rate/Hourly
Anderson, Bruce E
541-963-7705
PO Box 1671, La Grande, OR 97850
821790​
$20​0.00
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$200.00
​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276-2811
​PO Box628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00
  • ​Collections
​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
Rate/Hourly
Anderson, Bruce E
541-963-7705
PO Box 1671, La Grande, OR 97850
821790​
$20​0.00
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00
  • Business torts
​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
​Rate/Hourly
Anderson, Bruce E
541-963-7705
PO Box 1671, La Grande, OR 97850
821790​
$20​0.00
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$200.00
​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276-2811
​PO Box 628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00
  • Real Estate Disputes

​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
Rate/Hourly
Anderson, Bruce E
541-963-7705
PO Box 1671, La Grande, OR 97850
821790​
$20​0.00
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$200.00
​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276-2811
​PO Box 628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00
  • ​Condemnation
​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
Rate/Hourly
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$200.00
​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276-2811
​PO Box 628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00
  • Other

​​Attorney at Law
Phone
​Mailing Address
​Bar Number
Rate/Hourly
Anderson, Bruce E
541-963-7705
PO Box 1671, La Grande, OR 97850
821790​
​$20​0.00
Hallman, Andrew
541-215-4810
132 SE Court, Pendleton, OR 97801
083480
$20​0.00
​​Hill, Steven L
​541-276-2900
​PO Box 339, Pendleton, OR 97801
​933190
​$200.00
​O'Hanlon, Timothy J
​541-276​-2811
​PO Box 628, Pendleton, OR 97801
​873081
​​$200.00
​Wallace, Jeff
​541-296-9900
​PO Box 2350, The Dalles, OR 97058
​763730
​​$200.00​​​