Sarah Zabel spotlights MAZE Resolutions and private dispute resolution

Sarah I. Zabel, a lawyer and former judge in Miami-Dade County, was featured on Close Up Radio on July 22 to discuss MAZE Resolutions and the benefits of mediation, arbitration and private judging. The interview highlights how alternative dispute resolution can cut costs, speed outcomes and keep disputes more confidential than court.

Why it matters: - MAZE Resolutions aims to steer disputes away from lengthy courtroom battles and toward faster, less expensive outcomes. - The model is positioned as useful in cases where privacy, flexibility and reduced conflict matter, including family, business and property disputes. - The interview underscores a growing interest in private neutral services as an alternative to traditional trials.

What happened: - Close Up Radio featured Sarah I. Zabel in an interview with Jim Masters on Wednesday, July 22, at 9 a.m. Eastern. - Zabel discussed her work through MAZE Resolutions, a professional association focused on mediation, arbitration and other neutral services. - Zabel said she chose to keep working after her judicial career by serving as a neutral for disputing parties.

The details: - Zabel covers Miami and Dade County and has been meeting with similarly skilled lawyers from other parts of Florida to expand service across the state. - MAZE Resolutions is approaching its 8th anniversary. - Zabel said the name MAZE reflects helping people find a way out of confusion and court disputes, while also standing for Mediation, Arbitration, Zabel and End. - Zabel said private judging can reduce court trips, speed conclusions, improve confidentiality and let parties choose their own judge. - Zabel described the court system as "endless, exhausting and expensive" and said mediation helps people understand their options so they can settle. - Zabel said "with the law, there are no guarantees" and that even a win can feel hollow. - The practice is used in personal injury, divorce and parenting matters, fair housing disputes, contractual disputes, probate, employment cases, and real estate and construction matters. - Zabel said the approach can also help determine criminal restitution. - Zabel said MAZE Resolutions arbitrates some cases, mediates others and even mediates between opposing lawyers to lower tension and reach settlement. - Zabel’s education includes an AA, a BS and a JD from Florida institutions. - After graduating, Zabel worked for the State Attorney’s Office and later entered private practice focused on family law. - Zabel won a Circuit Court judgeship in 2003 and served on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, handling criminal law, family court and foster care cases. - Zabel stopped serving as a judge in 2018. - In 2014, Zabel ruled that Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. - Zabel also mentors others and takes part in professional associations, including efforts supporting women in the workplace.

Between the lines: - The interview presents Zabel’s post-bench work as a continuation of her public-service mindset rather than a retirement project. - Private judging and mediation appeal when parties want more control over process, scheduling and privacy. - The focus on cost, speed and lower stress suggests MAZE Resolutions is targeting disputes where full litigation may be inefficient.

What's next: - MAZE Resolutions is preparing to mark its 8th anniversary. - Zabel said she plans to keep using her legal background to help parties settle disputes outside court. - More information is available at MAZE Resolutions. - The interview is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify.

The bottom line: - Sarah Zabel is using her experience as a lawyer and former judge to promote private dispute resolution as a faster, more flexible alternative to court.