Can I have my own lawyer?

You are encouraged to have your own lawyer. As a mediator, I do not represent either of the parties in a family law dispute. Sometimes, it is essential that one or both of the parties have independent legal advice, to ensure that they are well aware of the nature of a proposed mediated settlement. In any case, your own lawyer can provide you with independent advice and representation on some of the legal issues that might arise in a mediation. Although it is sometimes appropriate for a party to bring her or his own lawyer to mediation sessions, it is generally more productive (and less expensive) to limit the mediation “participants” to the two parties and the mediator.