A Florida Mediator Who Understands the Business Behind the Dispute
Over 300 Settled Mediations
As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator with a J.D. and MBA background in law and business, I help companies, creators, and property owners resolve high-stakes disputes without the time, cost, and uncertainty of a courtroom trial.
Weighing the Legal Case and the Business Stakes
Mediation is one of the most effective forms of alternative dispute resolution in Florida, but it takes more than a neutral third party in the room to get a lasting result. As a Florida mediator, I look at how a dispute affects operations, relationships, and reputation, and weigh that alongside the legal issues at hand. That combination, shaped by a J.D. from the University of Miami and an MBA from Rollins College, is built to produce resolutions that hold up legally and make sense once the mediation is over.
- Every session looks past the settlement number to the real cost of the dispute: time, opportunity, and relationships.
- Legal issues are weighed alongside the practical realities of running a business, managing a production, or holding a property.
- The goal is a resolution that still works once the mediation ends, not just an agreement on paper.
Hear What Our Clients Say
Legal Skill Built on Real Industry Experience
Before founding the firm in 2002, I held legal and executive roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment, BMG U.S. Latin, and Gavel Entertainment. That time inside the entertainment industry, plus ongoing work as Legislative Chair of the Florida Bar's Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section, means disputes involving IP, contracts, or media rights get evaluated by someone who has sat on the other side of the table. The full career history and bar admissions are detailed on the
About page.
- Businesses and executives working through partnership or contract disputes
- Artists, producers, and creators facing entertainment or IP conflicts
- Property owners, buyers, sellers, and landlords in real estate disputes
- Homeowners and policyholders with first-party property insurance claims
Statewide Mediation, In Person or by Zoom
Central Florida is home base, with in-person sessions available in Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Maitland, Winter Park, and Apopka. As an Orlando mediator serving the entire state, I also meet clients in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Tampa, and Miami, with statewide mediation available anywhere in Florida by Zoom.
Mediation for Business, Entertainment, Real Estate, and Insurance Disputes
Mediation is the core of the practice, with entertainment law and business law support available for clients who need it before or after a dispute reaches mediation.
Business and Commercial Mediation
Partnership, contract, and operational disputes resolved without dragging the business through litigation.
Entertainment and IP Mediation
Contract, licensing, and intellectual property disputes for creators, producers, and companies in media and entertainment.
Real Estate Mediation
Property, boundary, and transaction disputes for owners, buyers, sellers, and landlords.
First-Party Insurance Mediation
Claim disputes for homeowners and policyholders working through a denied or underpaid claim.
Mediation for Business, Entertainment, Real Estate, and Insurance Disputes
Common Questions About Hiring a Florida Mediator
Who is the best mediator in Florida for business and entertainment disputes?
The right mediator depends on the dispute, but few in Florida combine Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator status with real legal and executive experience inside the entertainment industry. Nicole Weaver has handled business, entertainment, real estate, and insurance mediations since founding her firm in 2002. A free consultation is the fastest way to find out if she's the right fit for a specific case.
How do I find a certified mediator near me in Orlando?
Look for Florida Supreme Court Certification, which confirms the mediator has met the state's training and experience requirements for circuit civil cases. Nicole Weaver holds this certification and is based in Central Florida, with in-person sessions available in Orlando and the surrounding area. Virtual sessions are also available for clients who prefer not to travel.
Can one mediator handle both business and entertainment disputes in Florida?
Yes, when that mediator has direct experience in both areas. Nicole Weaver's background includes legal and executive roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment, BMG U.S. Latin, and Gavel Entertainment, alongside a business mediation practice built since 2002. That combination means a single mediator can move between a partnership dispute and an IP conflict without a learning curve.
What's the difference between mediation and going to court?
Mediation is a private, structured negotiation guided by a neutral third party, while a court case is decided by a judge or jury after a formal trial. Mediation typically resolves in hours or days rather than months, and the parties keep control over the outcome instead of leaving it to a court ruling. It also costs a fraction of what a contested trial usually runs.
Is virtual mediation available for cases outside Central Florida?
Yes. Statewide mediation is available by Zoom for clients anywhere in Florida, in addition to in-person sessions in Orlando, Lakeland, Tampa, Miami, and the surrounding areas. Virtual sessions follow the same process as in-person mediation and carry the same legal weight.
Start With a Free Consultation
Since 2002, Law Office of Nicole Weaver, PLLC has helped businesses, creators, property owners, and policyholders resolve disputes across Florida without the cost and unpredictability of a trial. Every resolution starts with the same approach: legal insight woven together with a clear read on the business realities at stake. That's the fastest, most practical path to an outcome that still works once the mediation is over.
