being a conflict consultant and mediator
I became a conflict consultant and mediator when people began asking me to help them resolve business and family conflicts. If there was ever an Eleventh Commandment it had to be, "Listen!" Years of research and journalism and travel among people with their own historical and personal experience have taught me how to listen and how to summarize different points of view.
Misunderstanding and clashing perspectives are the beginning of all conflicts. Helping people understand each other, even when they cannot agree, is the beginning of resolution. My broad hands-on experience in finance, education, business, real estate, land use, and construction have been invaluable in helping me question, listen, and understand. Mediation allows participants to construct solutions that would be impossible in the courts. It also provides a far less expensive process.
In addition to years of experience, I apply hundreds of hours of training and study to my work.
Misunderstanding and clashing perspectives are the beginning of all conflicts. Helping people understand each other, even when they cannot agree, is the beginning of resolution. My broad hands-on experience in finance, education, business, real estate, land use, and construction have been invaluable in helping me question, listen, and understand. Mediation allows participants to construct solutions that would be impossible in the courts. It also provides a far less expensive process.
In addition to years of experience, I apply hundreds of hours of training and study to my work.
Family ConflictMany family conflicts originate in the handling of money. Many divorces stall over the division of property. Whether it's saving a marriage or finalizing a divorce, I've handled both simple and very complex cases.
Getting to the root causes of marital conflict can often clear the way for a wonderful relationship and a sound financial future. Divorce litigation is usually very expensive, time consuming, and bitter. Most or all of the issues can be resolved in mediation. |
Real estateMy experience in real estate conflicts began with service on a Realtors' ethics and grievance committee. Since then I have been an expert witness in many ethics and eminent domain cases, including helping law firms structure their cases and advise clients. I recently helped California homeowners in their negotiations with the California DOT, increasing their compensation 10 fold without going to court. I have served on government land use advisory committees, served as a witness for both condemnees and condemnors, and as a court appointed commissioner hearing valuation cases.
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housing, environment, and land useCan lawyers, government officials, environmentalists, and developers agree on standards for coastal development and management? I'm proud to have been one of three convenors of the Second Skidaway Conference on Coastal Development where participants agreed on important guidelines for our coasts. I also drafted the final agreement. This is one of many meetings where I have brought together a real diversity of opinion for fruitful discussion. I've also been active in affordable housing efforts in the US and abroad, led environmental negotiations on nuclear power plants and lakes, and served as resident adviser to the government of Kazakhstan for housing and land reform.
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