Why Corporate Litigation Experience Shapes How a Mediator Works
August 23, 2026 acquaviva
A mediator who has personally directed corporate litigation — not just represented clients as outside counsel — brings a different perspective on settlement authority and cost exposure. Earl J. Acquaviva, Jr. spent more than three decades as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Litigation Officer of Bally Total Fitness Corporation. He personally oversaw litigation […]
Employment Mediation vs. EEOC Complaints: Which Path Is Right for You?
August 23, 2026 acquaviva
Employees facing workplace discrimination in Maryland have two distinct paths: filing a formal charge with the EEOC or the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, or pursuing private mediation directly with the employer. Published estimates put EEOC investigations at roughly 6 to 18 months, while private mediation with an independent mediator often resolves in 1 to […]
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Business Mediator in Maryland
August 23, 2026 acquaviva
Choosing a Maryland business mediator comes down to five questions: experience and case volume, credentials and court approvals, process and methodology, availability and scheduling, and track record with similar disputes. A mediator’s answers to these questions reveal whether they can handle a specific business dispute or whether their experience lies elsewhere. Parties who ask all […]
How Much Does Mediation Cost in Maryland? A Transparent Guide
August 23, 2026 acquaviva
Maryland mediation costs $200 to $500 per hour, compared to attorney fees of $150 to $550 per hour, which can accumulate over months or years in litigation. Court-designated mediators charge the reduced rate set by each circuit court under Maryland Rule 17-208, while private mediators set independent market rates. A single mediation session typically resolves […]
July 15, 2026 acquaviva
Earl Acquaviva designed and administered the Bally Employment Dispute Resolution Procedure in 1990 — a nationwide ADR program that resolved virtually all employment disputes across more than 400 fitness centers, 20,000 employees, and 29 states. The program replaced costly, adversarial litigation with structured mediation, giving both employees and management a faster path to resolution while […]
What to Expect in Employment Dispute Mediation in Baltimore
July 15, 2026 acquaviva
Employment dispute mediation is a structured, confidential process in which a neutral mediator helps an employer and an employee negotiate a voluntary resolution without a trial or an agency investigation. Baltimore-area employees and employers can pursue mediation through two paths — the EEOC’s free mediation program or private mediation with a mediator who has direct […]
How Maryland Circuit Court Mediation Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
July 15, 2026 acquaviva
Mediation is a structured negotiation process in which an impartial mediator helps disputing parties reach a voluntary agreement without trial. Maryland Circuit Courts operate ADR programs under Title 17 of the Maryland Rules, and judges routinely order commercial disputes to mediation before allowing cases to proceed to trial. The process moves through six stages — […]
Why Business Owners Choose Mediation Over Litigation in Maryland
July 15, 2026 acquaviva
Mediation resolves Maryland business disputes in weeks instead of months, costs 50–80% less than litigation, and keeps sensitive commercial information out of public court records. Earl Acquaviva, an approved Business and Technology Mediator in all Maryland Circuit Courts with more than 30 years of corporate dispute resolution experience, has conducted successful complex multi-state mediation sessions […]