Has anyone used mediation/aribitration in divorce?

We are approaching the "dark side" to see if he would participate in it to get this thing over with.

We sent a letter and settlement to the "dark side" over a month ago and no response. My lawyer suggested we try this avenue before court. This things been ongoing for getting close to 2 years now. It needs to end. There's a couple of doggies at the local rescue that I know would love to live with Cali, Diego and I. Need to be done, need to get a house and out of the condo and make some doggies really, really happy.