Our mediation services cover a wide range of disputes with fairness and efficiency. From appraisal and umpire processes to insurance conflicts, business and contract disagreements, and landlord–tenant issues, we guide parties toward resolution. Our goal is to reduce conflict, save costs, and achieve practical, lasting agreements.
Efficiently settle coverage disputes while preserving relationships and reducing costs.
Resolve business conflicts quickly to protect partnerships, profits, and reputation.
Fair solutions for rental disagreements, balancing property rights and responsibilities.
Your Path from Conflict to Resolution Our proven 4-step process guides you to lasting agreements.
We start by understanding each party’s perspective and concerns
We identify key issues and interests to uncover common ground
We facilitate discussions to generate options and foster compromise
We formalize the agreement and outline steps for implementation
Mediator Rodney Ward
Many businesses think going to court is the only way to resolve disputes. In hindsight, however, litigation often turns into a financially and emotionally draining process in which no one truly wins. So, what other solutions can Florida businesses turn to?
Mediator Rodney Ward helps organizations and professionals settle conflicts without the stress and expense of a courtroom battle. His practice is fully dedicated to out-of-court solutions that save time, reduce costs, and protect business relationships. He specializes in:
Rodney Ward is a strong believer in alternatives to litigation and is committed to guiding businesses through the mediation process with professionalism, neutrality, and integrity.
To learn more, call (877) 546-2079 or contact us online to schedule a mediation. You can also schedule a session with Rodney Ward by clicking here.
Client Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Florida's Department of Financial Services mediation program is free for homeowners under Fla. Stat. §627.7015. The insurance company pays the full cost of mediation. Ward Mediation also handles privately initiated mediations outside the DFS program, where fees are typically split between the policyholder and the insurer.
Mediation in Florida is voluntary unless your policy contains a mediation clause requiring it before litigation. Reviewing your policy language first is recommended, since skipping a required mediation step can give the insurer grounds to delay or contest a later lawsuit.
If mediation fails to produce a signed settlement, you keep every right you had before the session. You can still pursue an appraisal under your policy's appraisal clause, file a Department of Financial Services complaint, or proceed to litigation against the insurer.
Florida's 2024 hurricane season generated hundreds of thousands of residential claims across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, with many delayed or underpaid. Mediation gives policyholders a faster, often free path to a settlement instead of waiting years for a court date.
Court-ordered eviction mediation is typically free for both the landlord and the tenant once a judge refers the case. Rodney Ward also offers private landlord-tenant mediation in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties for disputes that haven't yet reached a courtroom.
Florida courts generally require tenants to deposit past-due rent into the court registry before an eviction case proceeds to mediation. This requirement protects landlords financially while still giving tenants a chance to negotiate a workable resolution.
Private business mediation fees are typically split evenly between both parties and billed hourly, costing far less than litigation. Ward Mediation provides a fee estimate during the initial consultation based on the dispute's complexity and expected number of sessions.
Yes, small businesses often save the most by mediating, since litigation fees and lost time disrupt day-to-day operations faster for smaller companies. Rodney Ward structures sessions to resolve vendor, partnership, and contract disputes in a single day whenever possible.
Appraisal resolves disagreements over the dollar amount of a covered loss through two appraisers and an umpire, resulting in a binding figure. Mediation addresses both coverage and amount disputes through negotiation, and stays non-binding unless both parties sign a settlement.
Florida law requires insurers to handle claims in good faith, and patterns of stalling or lowball offers during mediation can support a bad-faith complaint. Rodney Ward documents the mediation record carefully so it can be referenced if a dispute escalates.
No, mediation is confidential under Florida law, so statements made during the session cannot be used against you in later litigation. Attempting mediation first also creates a documented good-faith effort that can strengthen your position if a lawsuit becomes necessary.
Most civil disputes involving contracts, leases, or claims under Florida law qualify for voluntary mediation, with or without a pending court case. Call Rodney Ward at (877) 546-2079 to review your specific situation before deciding on the right next step.
Mediation is a non-binding negotiation where both parties must agree to settle. Arbitration is a more formal process where the arbitrator's decision can be binding on both parties — similar to a private judge. As a Florida Supreme Court-approved arbitrator, Rodney Ward offers both services, providing carriers and counsel with a single certified neutral across the full dispute resolution spectrum.
