Fleming Education Group Mediation (FEGM)

What does a mediator do?

Mediators are impartial third parties who facilitate conversations or decision-making processes.

What are the benefits of Mediation?

Mediation is an alternative form of conflict resolution. The core principle of mediation is for the parties to regain-retain control over decision making rather than relinquishing their decision making to a legal system where attorneys, parenting consultants and judges make decisions for the parties.

As a part of the mediation process, the parties have the power to choose to save financial resources and strengthen their ability to communicate with one another through a mediated process of exchanging information and sharing proposals. The mediation process can help promote a healthy restructuring of the family system and is devised to honor each party’s needs and ensure the “best interests” of children.

Successful mediation involves a thoughtful and controlled process of obtaining and exchanging only necessary information to inform a discussion of options to resolve parenting and financial issues. Mediation is meant to be collaborative versus adversarial, and it is typically a much more cost-effective process in terms of financial costs to the parties as well as the emotional costs to the parties and their children. Mutual decisions by the parties in mediation can be made early in the process and may even promote healing of any familial pain through early, low-conflict resolution of the issues.

How does mediation work at FEGM?

In sessions with Mr. Fleming, each party is encouraged and empowered to disclose the significant facts and circumstances related to the issues to be resolved. The FEGM Client Questionnaire is used to gather basic family information to be supplemented, if necessary, with financial documents such as tax returns; checking, savings, investment and retirement account statements or personal financial disclosures agreed upon by the parties.

Attorneys frequently review all agreements before they become final, and both parties are encouraged to consider legal representation to provide counsel during mediation so there is sound representation of each party’s interests. Depending upon when the parties commence mediation and the complexity of the issues, the parties decide if the attorneys need to be present during mediation.

Typically, mediation with Mr. Fleming is scheduled in 3-hour sessions, either from 9am until Noon or 1pm until 4pm to make as much progress as possible and to minimize the number of mediation sessions. In less complicated cases, one session may only be necessary. In most cases, 2 or 3 mediation sessions are needed to resolve the issues adequately and collaboratively. In low-conflict cases, the issues may be resolved more quickly.

About the mediator – G. Bryan Fleming

Bryan serves as a highly regarded K-12 thought leader and school-placement advisor offering child-centered, expert resources and solutions. Bryan brings many years of experience in a wide range of settings and organizations, and he has honed a unique blend of education and research acumen developed over his years as an educator, school administrator, education setting expert, and advocate for children and families in the family law arena.

Since 2015, Bryan and the FEG Team have helped families navigate complex school-choice disputes – they are considered the ‘go-to’ education experts in the Minnesota family law arena. Having assisted with more than 700 school-choice dispute matters in Minnesota and surrounding states, FEG also recognizes the need to serve families through thoughtful and effective mediation services. The FEG Team works with families to develop child-centered solutions to custody and parenting time issues through a variety of Family Facilitative and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes. Mr. Fleming is a qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice, and his background and experience give him broad perspective as he helps parents and guardians solve problems by keeping the focus on the best interests of children.

A native of San Francisco, California and proud Minnesota resident of 25+ years, Bryan earned his undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance at the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque), received his Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota and has pursued post-graduate studies at Harvard University in education leadership and policy.