"I met Instituto Vertus and Rubens Tilkian through a judge's recommendation of mediation from one of the Family Courts at the Central Forum of São Paulo. The case was extremely difficult; it involved divorce with the removal of the spouse from the conjugal home, custody, alimony, property division involving companies, etc., and the parties were in an extreme state of hostility. Right in the first meeting with Rubens, I was impressed with his technique and sensitivity. In just over two months, he managed to neutralize the conflict and formalize an agreement, ending all proceedings and making the relationship between the parties harmonious.
After that, I referred another case, even more difficult… a partnership dispute involving several companies and people from the same family, with the death of one of the partners, plus a real estate issue involving more than 50 condominium properties with the litigants, that is, one of those cases where we find it hard to believe in an amicable solution. But in four months, Rubens managed to reconcile the parties regarding the assets, and also softened personal conflicts, making the relationship between family members civilized. Ultimately, today, after this experience at Instituto Vertus (with 100% success), I believe in the promising future of mediation as an alternative means of conflict resolution, and more than that, I see mediation as an ally of contentious advocacy. For all these reasons, I make a point of expressing my admiration and respect for Rubens Tilkian, whom I now consider a friend."