Areas of Practice

Small Claims

I assist self-represented parties in coming to an agreement before their cases are decided by the courts. In most small claims cases, parties go to court and are not ready to abandon their adversarial positions. The mediator assists them in reaching an agreement so both parties can settle their disputes off the record. The mediator’s role includes:

• Categorizing issues
• Explaining agreements and disagreements
• Assisting in discussion

Divorce & Child Custody

I analyze both the petitioner and the respondent in how they interact and how they relate to each other as two people. I view each case as involving unique viewpoints, interests, and personal values.  This can include:

• Generating options for resolutions (together or one-on-one)
• Preparing an environment and structure where effective communication can take place
• Emboldening disputants to ascertain multiple options

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice focuses on healing and reconciliation for the perpetrator, victim, and community at large. Offenders are held accountable for their actions while the process concentrates on the victim’s needs.

Victim Offender Mediation

This consists mostly of juvenile offenders participating in mediation to make restitution for their actions. This restitution could be in form of an apology, working for the victim, making monetary payments, or something else that feels appropriate. Victim offender mediation often reduces recidivism compared to putting a young offender in the juvenile justice system.

Case Evaluation

Case evaluation is a process where both parties submit their case to a neutral party (mediator-arbitrator). The mediator-arbitrator read the briefs carefully and categorizes five factors:

1. Clarify the main issues
2. Identify the stakeholders
3. Recognize how stakeholders view the issues?
4. Explore probable solutions
5. Make recommendations