Early Dispute Resolution

Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) a vital part of any company's long-term legal strategy. No matter what the industry, a preemptive EDR strategy can be developed and tailored to resolve and manage disputes or conflicts which may arise.

An effective EDR strategy provides many benefits, which include:

• reducing time spent on resolving conflicts;
• curtailing legal expenses;
• providing parties an opportunity for greater control over the dispute resolution process;
• allowing parties to resolve their conflicts in more creative ways than might be possible if left to a decision by a judge or jury;
• allowing the parties greater privacy in resolving their dispute than is afforded in a public courtroom;
• reducing the emotional toll lawsuits can take on everyone concerned; and
• preserving valued relationships among the parties.

Schwabe's primary objective is to understand our clients' specific needs, goals and challenges. An EDR attorney will recommend, design, and implement an EDR protocol specifically tailored to each client and their specific business needs. A partial or complete risk management makeover can result in a more streamlined EDR program, which in turn can result in a more profitable business for our clients.

Schwabe's EDR attorney assists corporations and businesses achieve objectives by limiting risk and exposure. The attorney works in tandem with corporate risk management teams to develop a model for identifying potential conflicts and resolving avoidable clashes, often without legal action. This comprehensive process includes a review of the company's litigation history to identify patterns or areas of concern and assess the merits of a proposed strategy.

Working with a Schwabe attorney specializing in EDR allows companies to effectively manage the risks of doing business. All businesses can use some form of EDR to operate more productively by reducing time, costs and energy consumed by lawsuits. Schwabe's EDR attorney can assist companies in avoiding costly and lengthy suits which can consume resources, divert attention and destroy relationships. Businesses can also benefit from an early alert system which tracks industrywide litigation in a certain business area. This allows a company the opportunity to take preventive steps to diminish potential liability.

EDR is designed to cap the rising costs often associated with litigation in the judicial system. Schwabe attorneys assist clients in developing the most cost-effective and appropriate process for a particular business and industry, protecting the overall business interests of the client.