Roth ‘Does it All’ When it Comes to Mediation
Because of her versatility and efficiency, Peggy Roth has been referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of mediators.
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Experienced mediator Peggy Roth has accepted a five-year appointment to the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, which was established by the Supreme Court of Georgia to administer a statewide comprehensive Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program.
The Commission’s responsibilities include overseeing the development and quality of court programs, developing guidelines, approving programs, creating training and qualification criteria for neutrals, and setting conduct standards. The Commission is also responsible for recommending revisions to the ADR rules, which are then subject to approval by the Supreme Court.
Roth stated, “With my experience in mediating a wide variety of cases and issues and being only one of two non-attorney members, I hope to bring a fresh and unique perspective to the Commission.”
Due to her reputation and range of expertise, Roth has been described as the “Swiss Army Knife” of mediators. “I do it all,” she explained. “I mediate all issues, including personal injury, workplace resolution, family issues involving divorce, custody, modification, elder care, probate, and EEOC issues.”
She is also part of the Workplace Division at Miles Mediation & Arbitration, which allows organizations to offer employees confidential resolution sessions where a mediator helps address issues and find mutually agreeable solutions.
The roles of a mediator and an attorney are different. While a mediator’s role is to encourage open dialogue towards a mutually beneficial agreement, an attorney’s role is to negotiate on behalf of individual clients’ best interests. Although some attorneys are also mediators, many mediators, like Roth, are not lawyers.
She said, “It’s not an either/or decision (attorney vs. mediator). In most of the cases I mediate, the parties are represented by attorneys,” said Roth. “Many civil cases go to mediation because it is more cost-effective and time-efficient than litigation. Mediation offers the parties an opportunity to reach a consensus without the court making decisions for them.”
Roth noted that particularly in domestic matters, emotions and history often run deep, and mediators can excel at recognizing and addressing subtle undercurrents. She remarked, “I find that one significant benefit of being a non-attorney mediator is my ability to serve as a true neutral. It’s critical that the parties feel heard and understood. My role is to listen, not only to the words that are spoken but also to nonverbal emotional cues.”
Mediation typically has a success rate of 70 to 80 percent, with parties signing a legally binding mediation agreement that outlines the settlement terms. Costs are usually split between the parties, and mediators are generally paid an hourly rate. The time frame for resolving a case varies; some mediations can be resolved in minutes, while others take days or even weeks.
Known as a good listener, Roth was born in Cincinnati and raised in the Midwest. She earned a BA in psychology from The Ohio State University. After completing her women’s philanthropy leadership role for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, she said, “Mediation kept coming across my consciousness. So, I decided to take some of the training …. After my first basic mediation training, I was hooked — I found my ‘calling.’ I took every training course available — domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), probate, special education, and elder care.”
Roth has been mediating for 13 years. When asked for advice about conflict resolution, she shared, “Consider mediation to resolve a dispute before filing a lawsuit. ‘Pre-suit’ mediation can be valuable in situations involving families or small businesses because it allows the parties to air grievances in a private setting and focuses on finding solutions that work for everyone — while maintaining relationships. It’s also less stressful, less time-consuming, and less expensive than going to court.”
Roth concluded, “I’m very excited to be part of the Commission and to help support and expand mediation. I hope to make a meaningful contribution … whenever possible. It’s my honor to have been selected for this appointment.”
Roth has three children and two grandsons. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and traveling.
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