James A. Hales, J.D.
Mediator/Attorney
RESOLVE Mediation Services, PLLC

RESOLVE Mediation Services provides a forum for the resolution of disputes in all areas of civil conflict, with concentration in Business/Commercial, Construction, Real Estate, Personal Injury, Workplace/Employment, Probate/Estate and Family Law matters. 

Jim Hales is an exceptional mediator and seasoned attorney with 21 years + experience in a wide variety of legal fields as a civil practitioner/litigator and as General Counsel for a group of manufacturing and construction firms located throughout the Midwest.  Jim’s mediation style strives to facilitate a resolution to any given dispute through a strong sense of empathy and an ability to diffuse emotional impediments by focusing on the practical benefits of a mediated settlement vs. an embattled approach to “winning” at all costs.  By setting and maintaining a tone where all participants feel they are on an even playing field, they are then able to acknowledge that reasonable minds can differ and the process of resolving those differences can begin.  The progression of coming to a resolution must be flexible, creative and tailored so that no participant feels they are being victimized and objective thinking can carry the day.  Various mediation formats can be implemented to provide the optimum setting for conflict resolution, including directive/caucus, facilitative, evaluative and transformative/elicitive methods.

Here’s what two distinguished colleagues recently had to say about Jim:

“Jim Hales demonstrates the qualities of the true peacemaker – he has a wealth of experience in the practice of law, he has a superb sense of humor, which all mediators need, he shows great compassion and understanding in working with the parties, and he has the integrity and honesty to be respected by counsel.  He is the complete mediator.”

Richard M. Calkins, Esq.

• 
  Dean of the Drake University Law School (1980 – 1988)


• 
  Past President of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys


• 
  Co-Founder and Past President of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution


• 
  Past President of the American Mock Trial Association


• 
  Co-Author of the “Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guide” (published by Wolters Kluwer/Aspen)


• 
  Co-Author of the “Mediation Practice Guide” (published by the Illinois State Bar Association)

"Jim Hales has all of the skills and techniques of a superbly qualified mediator.  He was unquestionably the brilliant star of a week-long Mediation/Arbitration Training Program recently sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association.  I can honestly say that his unique talent for mediation is a rare gift, and as good as he already is, he has passionately continued to hone his skills to be the best mediator possible."   

Fred Lane, Esq.

• 
  Past President of the Illinois State Bar Association


• 
  Past President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association


• 
  Co-Founder of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution


• 
  Diplomat and Past President of the American Board of Trial Advocates


• 
  Dean of the Lawyer's Post Graduate Trial Technique Institute


• 
  Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers


• 
  Past President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers


• 
  Co-Author of the “Lane & Calkins Mediation Practice Guide” (published by Wolters Kluwer/Aspen)


• 
  Co-Author of the “Mediation Practice Guide” (published by the Illinois State Bar Association)

RESOLVE Mediation Services:  Your local resource for efficient, creative and cost-effective dispute resolution

Practice Areas

• Civil

• Civil Rights

• Community

• EEOC/Postal Service

• Elder

• Family/Divorce

• Farmer/Creditor

• General

• Mortgage Foreclosure

• Organizational

• Personal Injury

• Public Policy

• Real Estate

• School Based

• Small Claims

• Truancy

• Victim-Offender

• Workplace