Jeffrey R. Niemala Paralegal Services

NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S   
Most Trusted Mediator

Divorce

We work with you to reduce the cost of divorce by focusing on solutions and avoiding costly litigation.

Parenting Time

Fighting over children can get expensive  when you involve lawyers and have uncertain outcomes in litigation.

Real Estate

Negotiating changes to finalize a transaction or avoiding litigation post-closing save time and money.

Debtor/Creditor

Medical bills, past due utility payments and even credit card debt and bank loans can be resolved through mediation.

Landlord/Tenant

We work with all parties involved to develop a plan that avoids the cost and time delays of litigation.

Insurance Claims

We help claimants and providers reach amicable settlements that are fast and fair.

REASONS WE GET HIRED

FREE Consultation

We gladly offer free consultation to every client. We want you to be sure Niemala Mediation is the right choice for YOU.

Reputation for Excellence

With the most ★★★★★ Five Star Reviews in the Northland, Niemala Mediation leads the way. 

Accessible

We are available to mediate in-person, online over the phone or any other way  to meet your needs and concerns. 

Experienced

We have helped clients settle disputes ranging from interpersonal conflicts to complex business matters. 

Jeff specializes in civil and family disputes, debt collection and settlement and enforcing judgments. Prior to attending law school, Jeff was a wildland firefighter in the MNDNR fire section, aviation branch as an aircraft base manager, primarily working with private, government and military rotor-wing assets throughout the United States in direct suppression of wildfire and support of natural disaster relief.


Jeffrey R. Niemala, MnCP

Legal Paraprofessional│Mediator

Education

Grand Rapids High School 1997

The Paralegal Institute (Paralegal) 2006

Brighton College (Legal Studies)  2019

Northwestern California University School of Law (J.D.) preasent


Licensed (Minnesota Department of Commerce)

Debt Collection Agency

Debt Settlement Agency


Qualified (Minnesota Rule 114)

Mediation, Civil and Family

Arbitration, Civil (pending)


Board of Directors

Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Risk Retention Group (2017-present)

Minnesota Paralegal Association

United Way 1000 Lakes (2019-present)


Membership

Minnesota State Bar Association  (ADR, paralegal, law student section)

Minnesota Paralegal Association

California State Bar Association (law student section)

International Council for Online Dispute Resolution

American Justice Foundation

Equisettle Affiliate Mediator

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Affiliations



Family Disputes

Family disputes can be emotionally exhausting and extremely expensive.  In Minnesota, most family law matters are subject to mediation. By attempting to mediate first, you will avoid the expense of attorneys fees and may even arrive at a settlement of the dispute. 


FLAT RATE BILLING for Divorce and Parenting Time disputes.

Civil Disputes

Civil disputes are any non-criminal, non-family dispute. Whether you have been sued and are waiting for a hearing or if the matter has not yet devolved into a lawsuit, we can help both parties arrive at a binding settlement, resolving the issue. We can work with both represented and non-represented parties to arrive at settlement.

Insurance Claims

If you have submitted a claim and it was denied by your insurance carrier, we can help. Most insurance polices will cover the cost of mediation prior to litigation. We work with you and the building contractor to bring the insurance company to the table for a negotiation.


24/7


SUPPORT AVAILABLE

98%


CLIENT SATISFACTION

Zero


HIDDEN COSTS

18


YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Services for Attorneys

Assisting out-of-area attorneys on a contractual basis in the areas of research, investigation, case file preparation and local point of contact.

Debt Collection

Consumer and commercial debt collection for our clients and on a contractual basis for out-of-area collection agencies. Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce,License # 40082433

Legal Paraprofessional Client Representation

  • Child Support Modification
  • Representation at Mediation
  • Parenting Time Disputes
  • Tenant Representation under Minnesota Statute 504B
  • Paternity Matters
  • Eviction Expungment

Document Drafting and Transcription

Farm or house leases, notes, mortgages, chattel mortgages, bills of sale, deeds, assignments, satisfactions, or any other conveyances except testamentary dispositions and instruments of trust.

Debt Settlement

Settlement of consumer and commercial debt. Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Judgment Enforcement

We specialize in satisfying court judgments. Our approach typically results in the best satisfaction available to the creditor, given the debtors ability to pay.


Testimonials

Lance D.,
Divorce
★★★★★

Jeff saved us THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. His fee was far less than we would have paid to retain an attorney. Worth every penny! 

Shelby S.,
Parenting Time
★★★★★

Jeff went above and beyond for my mediation. He made sure I understood everything, and he went out of his way to help me multiple times. I highly suggest going through him for your mediation!

FAQs

Got a question? We’re here to help.

  • Why to avoid an "Attorney Mediator"?

      Mediation is neither a fact-finding or fault-finding process; instead, mediation is a problem-solving process. Mediators do not render legal advice to anyone because they are no one's attorney. Rendering legal advice to any party would be stepping outside the role of mediator. Rendering legal advice to one party and not the other would violate the rule of neutrality. 


    An attorney, acting as mediator cannot render legal advice. Unfortunately, some attorney's recommend using an "attorney mediator" as a means of limiting the selection of potential mediators to only small group of their close associates. This raises ethical concerns as to the relationship between the recommending attorney and the "attorney mediator", in that they may  aim to consistently mediate each others cases under a process design that has you paying more than you should to the "attorney mediator" and your attorney. 

  • Do I need my attorney at mediation?

    The short answer is NO. At the end of the mediation process, you will have an oportunity to have any potential resolution reviewed and even re-drafted by your attorney. In mediation you are exchanging ideas that may result in the settlement of some, if not all issues. However, before you and the other party agree to the final draft of the language used in your Memorandum of Agreement, you are engouraged to consult an attorney if you choose. 

  • What is Asynchronous mediation?

    Asynchronous simply means that you meet with the mediator independently of the other party. Unlike face-to-face mediation, wether over over zoom or at another location, asynchronous mediation provides separation in time and physical distance from the other party allowing you to focus on resolution, not old feelings.


    Some attorneys continue to prefer a single day, face-to-face process that they can attend (and bill you for).  A question you may want to ask is who benefits from a continuation of the fight?  


    Attorney attended mediation has a dismal record of success and generally results in an expansion of the dispute rather than the intended reduction of the issues toward resolution.



  • Can our attorneys just work it out?

    Lawyer's training and experience with dispute resolution generally is based upon their understanding of trial and arbitration, two adjudicative processes where the neutral judge/arbitrator controls both the process and the outcome of the hearing. Alternatively, many lawyers frequently engage in the differently structured process of negotiation, with varying degrees of tactical and strategic success. 

  • Do I need to come to your office?

    Absolutly not.  If anything positive came out of the Covid-19 pandemic it is the realization that the we can do many things from any location, including mediation.

↓ No Obligation Consultation↓

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