5 reasons why I became a mediator

1. To help people: This is the same reason that moved me to first become an attorney. Helping people accomplish their goals in the right way and for the right reasons. Our legal system exists as a method to address the conflicts that develop between people. Conflict is a powerful instigator for growth in society and our personal and professional lives, especially when harnessed advantageously. However, while helping clients navigate conflict, I learned firsthand there are unintended costs for clients in that conflict process. Those financial and emotional costs are significant, take a daily toll - often for years - and then last well beyond the court process. As a result, I understand the benefit of eliminating those financial and emotional costs, or at least mitigating them, by working to resolve conflicts as early as possible. My goal as a mediator is to aid in resolving conflicts and disputes in as constructive a manner as possible by facilitating communication and guiding parties toward mutually acceptable solutions.

2. Make a positive impact: Many lawyers have far too many stories about horrible mediation experiences. Whether because the mediator created more division between the parties or because the parties were left feeling trampled by a mediator who tried to scare the parties into settlement. Frankly, I believe there is a better way to resolve disputes. An effective mediator empowers the parties to express themselves while also gaining improved understanding of their own perspectives. This not only fosters resolution but allows the parties to depart productively in that they can genuinely move on without regret or feelings of having been pressured.

3. Dedication to resolution: I do this full-time. My intent is to dedicate the time necessary to achieve resolution in each and every dispute. Additionally, my long-term goal is to help adjust and improve mediation generally, and contribute to a new wave of mediators truly dedicated to resolving conflict.

4. Empowerment: Mediation puts the power of resolution in the hands of the parties and allows the parties to determine how to resolve a dispute and move forward. This differs from the court process, which puts the power to resolve in the hands of strangers – judges and jurors – who can never truly understand what the parties want.

5. Better outcomes: In addition to mitigating the financial and emotional toll that court conflicts, mediation results in better outcomes for all parties involved because it allows for creative problem-solving.