Coordinating Compromise is the mediation practice of Louisville attorney Elizabeth Dodd. She helps families, heirs, business owners and employers settle disputes privately, with a lawyer’s clear view of what’s at stake if they don’t.
Elizabeth has spent her career practicing family, estate, business and employment law, so she can explain options plainly and keep the conversation grounded in what a court would likely do.
Parenting time, support and property, before a divorce, during one, or years after the decree.
Family mediationSiblings, heirs and executors settling disagreements over a will, an estate or a parent’s care.
Estate mediationOwners, partners and companies resolving financial and contract disputes without a lawsuit.
Business mediationConfidential resolution between employers and employees, from management conflicts to formal claims.
Workplace mediationBoundary lines, liens, zoning and the people next door.
Property mediationVery few cases ever reach a courtroom, and the ones that do take years. The numbers make the case for resolving it sooner.
of federal civil cases closed in the year ending September 2025 reached a trial.
U.S. Courts, Judicial Business 2025, Table C-4median time from filing to trial for a federal civil case, as of June 2026.
U.S. Courts, Federal Court Management Statistics, June 2026of workplace mediations held by the EEOC in fiscal 2025 resolved the dispute.
EEOC, Fiscal Year 2025 Agency Performance Reportof those mediation participants said they would choose mediation again.
EEOC, Fiscal Year 2025 Agency Performance Report| Consideration | In mediation | In court |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Discussions stay confidential. Nothing becomes public unless you choose to file an agreement. | Filings and hearings are generally part of the public record. |
| Time | Often resolved in weeks, and sometimes in a single session. | Can take months or years to reach a final decision. |
| Cost | One neutral mediator, with the fee usually shared between the parties. | Each side pays its own attorney fees and court costs throughout. |
| Who decides | You do. Nothing is final unless everyone agrees. | A judge or jury, within the limits of the law. |
| Relationships | Built for people who will keep dealing with each other: co-parents, siblings, partners, neighbors. | Adversarial by design, which often deepens the conflict. |
Every dispute is different. These examples show the kinds of practical, tailored agreements mediation makes possible.
Estates
The dispute. After their mother’s death, one sibling wants to keep the house; the other two want it sold.
The resolution. A buyout at a jointly chosen appraisal, credited against the buying sibling’s share of the estate, with a closing date everyone signs off on.
Family
The dispute. Two years after a divorce, a parent’s new job makes weekday exchanges impossible.
The resolution. Weekday evenings traded for longer weekends and a summer block, plus an agreed way to handle the next change without filing a motion.
Business
The dispute. Co-owners of a small company can’t agree on what one partner’s share is worth.
The resolution. A valuation by an expert both select, a buyout paid over three years, and a transition plan for key customers.
Illustrative examples only. They do not describe actual clients, and every outcome depends on the facts and the parties’ agreement.
A clear, structured process, so you always know what comes next.
Elizabeth checks for conflicts, explains the process and fees, and finds a date that works for everyone.
Each side shares a short summary and key documents in advance, so the session starts with the facts on the table.
Everyone is heard. Elizabeth guides the discussion, meets privately with each side when it helps, and explains the alternatives.
Terms are put in writing for attorneys to review and, in a court case, to submit to the judge.
I believe in persuading the parties and empowering people with the necessary information that will lead to healthier solutions.Elizabeth Dodd
Elizabeth has worked on every side of the disputes she now helps resolve: negotiating employment contracts and litigating discrimination claims, forming businesses and drafting their agreements, writing wills and handling will contests, and representing families in divorce, custody and adoption, including as a guardian ad litem for children.
As your mediator she is neutral. She makes sure each person is heard, keeps the conversation productive, and gives everyone an honest picture of the road ahead.
“Elizabeth Dodd is very professional and skilled. She deals with high conflict divorces, understands the need to compromise, negotiates effectively and swiftly deals with problems. She walked me through an emotional process and was patient and kind. I highly recommend Elizabeth Dodd.”
“Elizabeth Dodd was approachable and put me at ease. She has a remarkable ability to clarify the complexities of the legal process in simple, understandable terms, demonstrating both patience and efficiency. She excelled at keeping me informed at every stage, consistently maintaining open lines of communication and promptly returning calls and messages.”
Yes. What’s said in mediation is kept confidential and generally can’t be used later in court. Elizabeth will walk you through the specifics, and any exceptions, before you begin.
It isn’t required, but it’s often wise. As mediator, Elizabeth is neutral and can’t give either party legal advice. Many people attend with their attorneys; others consult one before signing an agreement.
Nothing is final unless everyone agrees. If you don’t settle, you keep every option you had before, including going to court. Even a partial agreement narrows what’s left to resolve.
Fees are explained before anything is scheduled. The mediator’s fee is typically shared between the parties, which usually makes mediation far less expensive than litigating the same issues.
A short conversation is the best first step. Elizabeth will listen, explain how mediation could work for your situation, and answer your questions about timing and fees.
1041 Goss Avenue, Louisville, KY 40217
Monday to Friday, 8 to 5; weekends by appointment