Control the outcome. The self-determination of an outcome available through mediation significantly increases the compliance rate with such settlements, as opposed to judicially imposed solutions, which can lead to seemingly endless appeals and petitions for modification. If a lawyer doesn't have a family practice, he or she may consider referring clients to a family mediator rather than another lawyer. But even a lawyer who practices family law might want to think about referring clients to a family mediator, or developing a mediation practice of his or her own. Avoid problems getting paid.
Family litigation has a high incidence of malpractice claims.
The majority of those suits come in response to suits filed by lawyers to collect unpaid fees. Family lawyers have larger than average receivables problems, and many reasonable bills go unpaid because the lawyer fears a countersuit. Offer clients lower fees, improving the odds that they'll be collected. Fees are usually much lower if settlement is reached through mediation, and more acceptable to the client even if settlement is not reached but alternative dispute resolution methods were tried first. Clients are appreciative of their lawyer's efforts to minimize the expenditure of financial and emotional resources.