On Common Ground
Mediation
The path to ending your dispute.
Why Mediation?
eliminates time-consuming litigation
saves the cost of lawyers’ fees
guided by a trained mediator
scheduled at your convenience *including weekends ​​
​meet in-person or virtually
complete confidentiality
Mediation works best when...
all parties in a dispute are ready to move forward towards finding a mutually agreeable solution.
Mediation will likely
fail...
if either party has decided to demand his or her "day in court" or takes an all-or-nothing approach. When one party brings ultimatums to the negotiation table, there's a good chance mediation will not work.
Mediation should not be used...
in matters of domestic violence, threats, trauma, dominance/control issues,
and other power imbalances.
About Me
To my role as a mediator, I bring 25 years of experience as a Professor of Communication, specializing in the study and practice of Interpersonal Communications at some of Boston’s foremost institutions, including Boston University, Suffolk University and Emerson College.
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​Certified Dispute Mediator, The Center for Mediation and Collaboration, RI
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Certificate in Elder Decisions, Working with Families in Conflict, MA
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Lead Mediator, Rhode Island District Courts
BS, MA in Communication
Services
Family Disputes
Adult siblings Divorced parents Elder parents/adult children Extended families Parents/teens Spouses/partners (LGBTQIA+ friendly) Stepparents/stepchildren On matters of: ​Co-parenting Communication Elder decisions Intermarriage/religion/culture Finances Setting boundaries
Workplace Disputes
Business Partners Co-workers Employer/employee Family business ​On matters of: ​Communication Fair treatment Style differences Workload
General Disputes
Friends Landlord/tenant Neighbors Roommates On matters of: ​Money owed Personal property Pet custody and visitation Privacy Rightful ownership Security deposit/damage
District Court Matters
As a Lead District Court Mediator I can hear your dispute out-of-court and draft legal documents detailing the agreement reached, saving you the inconvenience and time of going to court as well as attorney's fees. (Rhode Island only)
Getting Started
I invite you to contact me for a 20-minute consultation with no fee or obligation. If mediation is not right for your situation I will be happy to suggest alternatives.
