Linda Close retired from the practice of law December 31, 2014. She continues to offer her services as a mediator and arbitrator.

Mediation and Arbitration

Helping individuals and businesses save money, time and aggravation by resolving disputes without going to trial

Linda Close

Linda F. Close began practicing law in 1979. During her first 22 years of practice, she served under three Attorneys General in the Office of the Attorney General. In June 2001, she opened Close Law Office to direct her energies to helping individuals in the private sector. During that time, she also served part time as an Administrative Law Judge. She operated the Close Law Office from 2001 until December 31, 2014, when she retired from the practice of law.

Linda continues to offer services as an arbitrator and a mediator. She is committed to providing excellent alternative dispute resolution services at a reasonable price. She brings to dispute resolution her past experience as a judge and as a litigator, which help her to understand the need for both sides of a dispute to be heard in a fair and private setting.

People can resolve their legal differences without going to trial. Mediation and arbitration are two forms of alternative dispute resolution for settling differences.

Mediation helps disputing parties focus on core problems and real interests, not personalities and positions. It helps them develop mutually agreeable solutions for resolving their differences.

Arbitration promotes the parties' understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their positions, giving them a realistic understanding of their chances of success if they go to trial. Binding arbitration is more cost-effective than going to trial. Non-binding arbitration encourages settlement.

Why choose alternative dispute resolution?

Resolving differences through mediation or arbitration benefits both parties by:

• Empowering them to decide for themselves the best resolution of their dispute
• Fostering their interest in self-determination
• Saving them money, time and aggravation
• Allowing them to air their differences in a private, confidential setting

Linda offers mediation, arbitration, and other alternative dispute resolution services. Linda is on the Panel of the American Arbitration Association serving as an arbitrator of commercial disputes. Alternatively, as a mediator, she can facilitate a discussion of issues that have resulted in a lawsuit or have the potential to do so.

Linda has mediated and arbitrated disputes in a wide variety of areas, including special education, employment, construction law, commercial contracts, administrative law and personal injury.

Let that experience help you resolve your dispute.

Call 612.749.5980 to discuss using Linda's services, or contact Linda Close by e-mail.