The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR) has advised Gary M. Wisenbaker, principal mediator with Wiregrass Mediation Services, LLC, of the approval of his neutral registration with the Supreme Court of Georgia.  Wisenbaker, a former attorney, was recently certified as a mediator in general civil litigation.  Wiregrass Mediation Services, LLC, located in Valdosta, GA, is a public and private alternative dispute resolution firm operating across the South Georgia area. 

Georgia is only one of a handful of states that issues neutral registrations and it is the only government-issued credential for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) professionals in the state.  Prior to applying, applicants must complete 28 hours of general civil mediation training, either observe or co-mediate at least five court connected general civil mediations, and demonstrate that they are of good moral character.

 “There is a growing trend in Georgia as well as the nation for individuals and businesses to resolve their legal conflicts without involving the courts,” Wisenbaker said, “And the fact that over 178,000 Georgia cases have been concluded without judges or juries since 1997 shows the momentum of this trend.”

GODR is the operative arm of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution.  Its mission, according to its website, is to assist the Georgia Supreme Court in providing for the speedy, efficient, and inexpensive resolution of disputes and prosecutions in the judiciary. The Commission manages a statewide system that offers effective alternatives to traditional litigation.  Mediation, non-binding arbitration, case evaluation and other alternative litigation models give litigants lower cost choices for resolving their differences and help conserve scarce court resources for those cases that cannot be resolved without a judge or jury.           

Wisenbaker earned his BA degree from Valdosta State University and his Juris Doctorate from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.  Wisenbaker returned to Valdosta in 1980 where he practiced law for four years before moving to Savannah, Georgia where he practiced for until 2012 when he returned to Valdosta.  During his 31 years of practice, Wisenbaker distinguished himself in the areas of trial and real estate law.  He also represented clients in civil case mediations including a national class action involving a major drug manufacturing company. 

“While not all conflicts can be resolved without a judge or jury, the vast majority can.  Mediation can be a better way to get to that resolution because the litigants themselves decide the resolution, not a judge or jury,” Wisenbaker said, “And better yet, the mediation process is a confidential process.”

To learn more about the Alternative Dispute Resolution process, visit www.wiregrassmediation.com or www.godr.org.