The Firm
Practicing in the Southern Tier region for over 25 years; representing clients in Bath, Binghamton, Corning, Elmira, Horseheads, Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse, and townships in Broome, Chemung, Steuben, and Tompkins counties.
Our firm represents a wide variety of clients, from individuals injured in automobile accidents, at construction sites, and as a result of medical malpractice. Over this time period we have also represented hundreds of clients through divorce proceedings.
In addition to legal representation, we also provide mediation services in several areas of law.
Practice Areas
Automobile Accidents
Injured in an automobile accident? We can help you maneuver through the insurance requirements, negotiate a settlement, or represent you should it proceed to trial.
Construction Site Accidents
Injuries to contractors and construction workers have very specific labor laws. Our firm is experienced with such litigation and will obtain the best settlement possible.
Medical Malpractice
Sustained an injury as a result of a medical procedure or treatment? Our firm will achieve the best possible settlement; we provide the trial experience required to pursue such cases.
Mediation Services
Expensive lawsuits often take an extensive amount of time to settle. Mediation is an alternate method that is less costly and leads to a swifter resolution where you are in control of the final outcome.
Diana L. Hughes, Esq.
Diana L. Hughes, Esq. has been practicing law for over 25 years, primarily handling personal injury and matrimonial law. Much of her practice has involved trial work as well as mediation; always with the goal of reaching the best monetary or other resolution for her clients without the need to litigate which can take extensive time to work a legal matter through the court process.
Diana L. Hughes
Founding Partner
Graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. Member of various legal organizations, including but not limited to The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Bar Association, and Chemung County Bar Association.
Admitted to practice law in the states of New York and Connecticut.
Previously appointed by the Appellate Division to the State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division Third Judicial Department Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee is empowered by the Appellate Division to investigate inquiries concerning the professional conduct of attorneys who are admitted to practice, reside, have an office in, are employed or transact business in the Third Judicial Department in New York State.
Mediation
Our firm has extensive mediation experience in several areas of law. Attorney Hughes has successfully completed the mediation training course conducted by New York Law School, approved under Part 146 of the New York State Unified Court Systems Office of ADR Program and is a member of the New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process wherein the parties meet with a mutually selected impartial and neutral person who assists them in the negotiation of their differences. Diana Hughes is an attorney well versed in all aspects of lawsuits known as “litigation” which involves filing a lawsuit which either ends in settlement through negotiations or is resolved at trial wherein a jury or judge decides the outcome of a case.
Benefits of Mediation
The benefit of mediation is that clients have direct involvement in the outcome of their dispute. It is a structured, interactive process where an impartial third-party assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques. All participants in mediation are encouraged to actively participate in the process. It is also entirely voluntary. Mediation is a party-centered process in that it is focused primarily upon the needs, rights, and interests of the parties.
Attorney Hughes or the firm's other mediators use a wide variety of techniques to guide the process in a constructive direction and to help the parties find their optimal solution. Our mediators are facilitative in that they manage the interaction between parties and facilitate open communication. Emphasis is placed on the parties themselves having a direct hand in settling their dispute.
Typically, most mediation situations do not require the parties to obtain their own legal counsel. Mediation is designed to help people work through conflicts without the need of a judge or legal proceedings. Therefore, lawyers are seldom needed in mediation situations.
Private
While court hearings are public, mediation remains strictly confidential. No one but the parties to the dispute and the mediator or mediators know what happened. Confidentiality in mediation has such importance that in most cases the legal system cannot force a mediator to testify in court as to the content or progress of mediation. Many mediators destroy their notes taken during a mediation oncethat mediation has finished.
Examples of Mediation Cases
Consultation
Consultations are always free of charge. Please call us at (607) 735-2888 to schedule you free and confidential consultation.