Steven A. Spence

The Magic of Mediation

Mr. Spence, an Attorney-Mediator and Arbitrator, is a sole practitioner and the founder of The Mediation Alternative, who is actively engaged in the promotion of mediation and arbitration throughout the State of Indiana as the preferred means for resolving both domestic and civil disputes.  Mr. Spence, who has mediated over 1600 civil and domestic disputes, is registered to mediate both types of disputes by the State of Indiana. MEDIATION TRAINING 40 HOURS Basic Civil Mediation Training, David Strawn, Trainer (1993) 40 HOURS Basic Family Mediation Training, Robert Benjamin, Trainer (1994) Advanced Family Mediation Training (Recertification), Pat Brown, Trainer (1996) Advanced Civil Mediation Training (Recertification), Tom Lemon, Trainer (1997) Special Education Mediation training conducted by Indiana Department of Education (2008) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Mediation Training, in conjunction with the Department of Justice and the Key Bridge Foundation (1998 and 2008) Continuing Mediation Education seminars, too numerous to list in order to maintain status as a Registered Mediator in the State of Indiana

MEDIATION EXPERIENCE
Mr. Spence has been a skilled litigator (having tried over 60 jury trials) in the areas of civil, domestic and criminal litigation for the past 24 years. Since 1993, when he became trained in mediation theory and practice, Mr. Spence has come to believe that mediation provides a much better alternative to litigation. Beginning in 1993 Mr. Spence gradually started to shift the focus of his practice away from litigation and toward mediation. In the past eleven years Mr. Spence has mediated over 1600 cases. Currently, mediation and arbitration make up 100% of Mr. Spence’s total practice. In addition to handling hundreds of civil and domestic mediations, Mr. Spence has also acted as the neutral arbitrator on three-arbitrator panels as well as the sole arbitrator.

Mr. Spence is past-Chair of the ADR section of the Indianapolis Bar Association (2003 through December 2004). He has been a member of the Board of the Indiana Association of Mediators (IAM), the largest State-wide mediation organization dedicated solely to the promotion of mediation in Indiana, since 1994. He was president of IAM in 1996-997. 

Mr. Spence has been a frequent assistant trainer for civil and domestic mediation training (both basic and advanced) throughout the State. He has spoken on issues involving mediation both regionally and throughout Indiana, including speaking at the 8th Annual Conference on Emerging Issues in Mediation in Madison, Wisconsin, on Title IV-D mediation of Family Issues.

Mr. Spence was one of three lead trainers in conducting the first “Civil to Domestic Crossover Training” class offered in Indiana in 2006.

Mr. Spence played a central role in conjunction with the staff of the Marion County Prosecutor’s office in the start up and implementation of the Marion County Title IV-D mediation pilot program.  Through this program, Mr. Spence, working under contract with the Marion County Prosecutor’s office, works to resolve disputes between battling parents.

Mr. Spence has published articles in Res Gestae ("Mediation Around Indiana:  Boom or Bust?", Res Gestae, Vol. 42, No.1, July 1998.) and in The Indiana Lawyer (“Why Your Client Can’t Afford to Forego Mediation.” The Indiana Lawyer, Vo. 9, No. 15, Oct. 28-Nov. 10, 1998.).

Education

Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
May 1977, B.A.
Major: Mass Communications
Minors: French and Political Science
Graduation Index: 5.62/6.0
Honors and Activities

Work Experience

Community Activities and
Professional Associations