Business Mediation Services
Business disputes are expensive — not just in legal fees, but in lost productivity, damaged relationships, and missed opportunities. Whether you're facing a partnership disagreement, a contract conflict, or a workplace issue, unresolved disputes drain energy and capital from the work that matters most.
Compass Mediation Group offers professional business mediation services that help companies, partners, and stakeholders resolve disputes efficiently, confidentially, and without the enormous cost of litigation. Our lead mediator, Alisa Kharis, brings over two decades of hands-on business ownership, 16 years as a former practicing attorney who handled business law and civil litigation in Washington state courts, and Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA) — a combination that makes her uniquely effective in commercial settings.
What Is Business Mediation?
Business mediation is a structured, voluntary process in which a neutral mediator helps disputing parties negotiate a mutually acceptable resolution. Unlike arbitration or litigation, mediation gives you control over the outcome. There's no judge, no ruling — just a skilled facilitator helping you find common ground.
The process is confidential, which means your business's reputation and proprietary information stay protected. And because mediation resolves disputes in days or weeks rather than months or years, your business can get back to what it does best — far sooner than any courtroom would allow.
Types of Business Disputes We Mediate
Partnership Disputes
Disagreements between business partners can paralyze a company. Whether the conflict involves management decisions, profit distribution, strategic direction, or one partner's desire to exit, mediation provides a structured process for working through the impasse — without destroying the business in the process.
Shareholder and Ownership Conflicts
Disputes among shareholders, members, or co-owners can threaten the very existence of a company. Mediation helps stakeholders address valuation disagreements, governance issues, dividend disputes, and exit strategies collaboratively.
Contract Disagreements
Breach of contract claims, scope disputes, payment conflicts, and service-level disagreements are among the most common commercial disputes. Mediation resolves these faster and at a fraction of the cost of litigation — often preserving the business relationship in the process.
Workplace Mediation
Conflict between employees, or between employees and management, affects morale, productivity, and retention. Workplace mediation addresses interpersonal conflicts, harassment complaints, discrimination concerns, termination disputes, and team dysfunction in a way that is constructive rather than punitive.
Employer-Employee Conflicts
From wrongful termination claims to compensation disputes, non-compete disagreements, and severance negotiations, mediation offers a confidential, efficient alternative to formal legal proceedings. Both parties retain control, and resolutions are typically reached in one to three sessions.
Business Dissolution
When partners or co-owners decide to part ways, the process of unwinding a business can be contentious. Mediation helps you divide assets, settle liabilities, address client and vendor transitions, and formalize the separation — all without a costly court battle.
Intellectual Property Disputes
Disagreements over intellectual property ownership, licensing terms, trade secrets, or non-disclosure agreements can carry significant financial implications. Alisa's combined legal background — including entertainment law — and her extensive business experience allow her to navigate these nuanced disputes with the sophistication they require.
Vendor and Client Disputes
When important business relationships hit a rough patch — delivery failures, quality issues, pricing conflicts — mediation can salvage the relationship and find a fair resolution. Maintaining key vendor and client relationships is often worth far more than whatever amount is in dispute.
Why Business Mediation Instead of Litigation?
Dramatically Lower Costs
Business litigation routinely costs tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Mediation achieves resolution at a small fraction of that cost.
Speed
Most business mediations conclude in 1–4 sessions. Litigation can take 12–24 months — or longer.
Confidentiality
Court proceedings are public. Business mediation is entirely confidential, protecting sensitive financial information, trade secrets, and your company's reputation.
Preserve Business Relationships
Litigation is inherently adversarial. Mediation is collaborative. When you need to continue working with the other party — as co-owners, vendor and client, or employer and employee — mediation makes that possible.
Better Outcomes
You craft the solution, not a judge. Mediated agreements are tailored to your specific business needs and are far more likely to be honored than court-imposed rulings.
Minimize Disruption
Every day spent in litigation is a day your leadership team isn't focused on the business. Mediation resolves disputes quickly so you can redirect your attention to growth.
Our Business Mediation Process
1
Free Consultation
We discuss your dispute, explain the mediation process, and assess whether mediation is the right fit. No cost, no obligation.
2
Pre-Mediation Preparation
Each party submits a confidential summary of their perspective and goals. Relevant financial or contractual documents are gathered.
3
Mediation Sessions
Alisa facilitates structured negotiations, using both joint sessions and private caucuses (individual meetings with each party) as needed to move toward resolution.
4
Agreement Drafting
Once terms are agreed upon, we draft a detailed memorandum of understanding. Parties may have their attorneys review the document before signing.
Implementation Support
For complex agreements, we offer follow-up sessions to ensure smooth implementation.
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The Compass Mediation Group Advantage
Alisa Kharis is not a retired judge or career litigator who pivoted to mediation. She built her career at the intersection of business and law — and she understands business disputes from the inside because she has lived them.
Alisa has owned and operated multiple businesses, including Synergy Relations — a strategic communications, PR, event planning, video production, and marketing firm she founded in 2005. She also served as Business Development Director at MXTReality, an AR/VR technology company. This real-world entrepreneurial experience means she understands the financial, operational, and interpersonal dynamics that drive business disputes — not just the legal theory.
On the legal side, Alisa holds a Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law and practiced law for 16 years in Washington state courts, handling business law, civil litigation, entertainment law, and administrative hearings across King, Pierce, Kitsap, Whatcom, and Grays Harbor counties — before transitioning fully to mediation. Her Master Mediator certification from the International Mediation Association (IMA) — earned through a rigorous year-long training program — and 25+ years of mediation experience and education round out one of the most comprehensive skill sets in the field.
Her certification as an IRS Enrolled Agent adds another critical layer of value. When disputes involve financial statements, tax implications, or asset valuation — as business disputes frequently do — Alisa brings expertise that most mediators simply don't have.
Virtual Business Mediation — Nationwide
All business mediation sessions are conducted via secure video conference. This makes it easy for parties in different locations to participate without travel, and provides scheduling flexibility that in-person mediation can't match. We serve businesses throughout the United States, from startups to established enterprises.
Frequently asked questions
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Important Note: Compass Mediation Group does not provide legal advice or legal representation. While Alisa Kharis's background as a former attorney deeply informs her mediation practice, she does not act as a lawyer for either party. Clients are encouraged to consult with independent attorneys for legal counsel.
Don't let a business dispute cost more than it has to.
Schedule a free consultation or call (888) 851-8856 to explore how business mediation can resolve your dispute — quickly, confidentially, and on your terms.
Important Note:
Compass Mediation Group does not provide legal advice or legal representation. Alisa Kharis is a mediator, not a practicing attorney. Her legal background informs and enriches the mediation process, but she does not act as an attorney for any party. Both partners are encouraged to consult with independent attorneys for legal counsel. If you need legal representation, we are happy to refer you to qualified attorneys.