Best Divorce Mediators 2

Each year I get a publication listing the Best Attorneys. I have always been bothered that there is not a similar list for the Best Divorce Mediators. I have decided to do my own list and post the names on this blog below. I am asking Advance Practitioner Members of the Association for Conflict Resolution from a state to designate whom they feel are the Best Divorce Mediators in his or her state. If a person gets two designations, I will list them. I am open to suggestions for doing this a different way. It is a work in progress and I will keep adding names and states. Please post a comment with your designations or suggestions. As always, you can post any comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 7/12/08

CONNECTICUT
Barbara Aaron - Hartford
Michael Becker - Westport
Fran Califore - Hartford, New Haven, and Norwalk
Mary Marcus*, Ph.D. - Norwalk
Deborah Noonan** - Norwalk
Barbara Stark - New Haven and Norwalk

Mediator Qualifications

There has been an issue for years concerning whether a mediator must be an attorney. I have always believed that it is an issue of competency not profession. I took one family law course in law school and I don’t remember any family law questions on the bar exam. An attorney fresh out of law school probably knows less family law than a non attorney who has been mediating for years and has taken many continuing education programs. The issue was recently addressed by the Florida Supreme Court. The court removed any requirement that a mediator certified by the Florida Court must be an attorney. Gregory Firestone recently discussed the decision in an article in Spring 2008 issue of ACResolution. He stated, "with the momentous decision, the Florida Supreme Court has enhanced party self-determination in the selection of mediators and provided an important precedent for credentialing mediators throughout the world." See more at
http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/adr/The%20Resolution%20Report/April%202008/rr_SC05998%20_article_Apr08.shtm As always, you can post a comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 6/10/08

Googlism for Mediation

Googlism.com will find out what Google.com thinks of you, your friends or anything! You can search for your under Who What Where or When. Below are the googlisms for Mediation. As always, you can post a comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 6/6/08

mediation is so many things
mediation is effective
mediation is not for sissies
mediation is a constructive and effective way
mediation is going
mediation is often the answer to
mediation is not successful
mediation is available until a public hearing is convened or
mediation is meer dan bemiddelen alleen
mediation is a
mediation is a better mousetrap
mediation is not appropriate for every case
mediation is effective in resolving eeo complaints
mediation is above the rest
mediation is a confidential process in which
mediation is critical to peace
mediation is a process whereby a neutral
mediation is for anyone engaged in conflict at
mediation is snelle en goedkope conflictoplossing
mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial third
mediation is needed more than ever" kofi annan says
mediation is generally defined as the intervention in a
mediation is money
mediation is simply that everybody gets
mediation is what you need
mediation is more time
mediation is a mediator in saskatoon on canlaw
mediation is a part of what is known as "alternative dispute resolution
mediation is
mediation is defined as a process of assisted negotiations
mediation is not
mediation is the opportunity for both legal parties to be heard through negotiation
mediation is an opportunity for two or more people to come together to try to work out a solution to their problem
mediation is a constructive and effective way to resolve disputes between people
mediation is an informal process that brings disputing parties together with a neutral person
mediation is not arbitration
mediation is often the answer to conflict
mediation is over
mediation is usually confidential
mediation is a real alternative to courtroom battles
mediation is that it is so many things
mediation is not enough
mediation is not successful? provided by the livingston community dispute resolution service
mediation is both
mediation is a voluntary option by joanne mauger
mediation is available until a
mediation is a process for resolving conflicts and for the neutral accompaniment of difficult negotiations
mediation is a process in which a trained neutral person
mediation is a joke
mediation is unheralded enabler of 3g
mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution
mediation is flexible and confidential
mediation is op verzoek van beide partijen een goede oplossing vinden voor beide partijen inzake een conflictgeschil
mediation is a variation of the mediation process
mediation is a completely voluntary and confidential process that helps two or more people in conflict clarify their issues and goals
mediation is a better mousetrap for resolving divorce and family law issues
mediation is a voluntary process for people who wish to try to resolve their human rights complaint to their mutual satisfaction with the assistance of a
mediation is a confidential process in which the mediator helps people talk and listen to each other about what is important to them
mediation is procedural help in negotiating
mediation is a process in which an impartial third party assists people in conflict in finding a mutually acceptable solution to their dispute
mediation is critical to peace efforts 29 november – third party involvement
mediation is arbitration
mediation is successful? top
mediation is a process whereby a neutral third person called a
mediation is for anyone engaged in conflict at uo
mediation is on the increase 2
mediation is moderne snelle en goedkope conflictoplossing onder leiding van de mediator als deskundige onpartijdige derde
mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial third party
mediation is needed more than ever" kofi annan says in statement to security council on mideast
mediation is a flexible program designed to informally help parties resolve disputes
mediation is unsuccessful
mediation is generally defined as the intervention in a negotiation by an acceptable third party who has limited or no authoritative decision
mediation is a process of assisted negotiations
mediation is money by deborah young
mediation is always within the control of the parties
mediation is a dispute resolution process in which an impartial third party helps parties to negotiate mutually
mediation is not governed by legal categories or rules
mediation is not magic
mediation is actually getting both parties to agree that mediation is a good idea in the first place
mediation is the conflict resolution process that has been the speciality of scms since the beginning of the
mediation is voluntary
mediation is noncoercive
mediation is the best approach to solving disagreements about child custody
mediation is a process
mediation is what you need tlt has 2 more qualified mediators
mediation is a no
mediation is the better option
mediation is a problem
mediation is a process where an impartial third party helps two or more parties discuss a dispute and work toward a solution that is acceptable to all parties
mediation is a process in which an impartial and trained mediator helps people to resolve their own dispute voluntarily and agreeably
mediation is it effective? nothing is perfect
mediation is a joint process to resolve workplace disputes
mediation is cost effective
mediation is a non
mediation is about directly negotiating your own decisions with the help of a third party
mediation is a process in which two disputing parties have been unable to settle their differences and appoint a neutral third party
mediation is far less costlymany disputes can be resolved in a few hours
mediation is a way of resolving disputes which helps people involved to reach an agreement with the help of an impartial third party
mediation is a process in which a trained mediator assists disputing parties in communicating their positions on issues and exploring possible solutions
mediation is a community resource that provides
mediation is where a neutral
mediation is becoming an increasingly popular form of resolving disputes in a more cost
mediation is a private
mediation is the step by step process through which separating couples arrive at a fair agreement which is acceptable to both sides
mediation is intended to reward all parties involved
mediation is a way of resolving conflict between two or more people
mediation is critical to peace efforts
mediation is a "win/win" rather than a "win/lose" solution
mediation is a problem solving process that focuses on the future

High Profile Divorces in the News

Gov. Jim Gibbons of Nevada and his wife Dawn

at his inauguration in 2007.

(Photo: Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal, via Associated Press)

I previously wrote about the Governor of Nevada’s, Paul McCartney’s and Robin Williams’ divorces. High profile divorces are news. The Govenor of Nevada’s divorce continues to get worse and make news. Steve Friess recently commented on it in his blog. He said "the governor of the state made famous in part for its quick, private divorces is now embroiled in a breakup so tawdry, so publicly spectacular and so potentially grueling that how it plays out could have implications from Carson City to the White House...The scandal is alarming Republican operatives in the state who believe disaffection with Mr. Gibbons is already dooming his own re-election chances in 2010 but also could impact how swing-state Nevada goes this fall in the presidential race...This absolutely could depress Republicans who are already depressed," said Chuck Muth, a Republican political consultant and blogger. "This could hurt McCain’s ability to hold on to Nevada" See entire blog at http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/divorce-turns-ugly-for-nevadas-governor.
Closer to home I was glad to read in the article by Kim Smith in the May 30, 2008, Arizona Daily Star that the University of Arizona Head Basketball coach, Lute Olson and his wife, Christine Olson have settled their divorce case. See entire story at http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/241379.php
Both of these cases may encourage couples to seek mediation, rather than expensive and emotionally draining divorces.
As always, you can post a comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 6/2/08

Standards of Conduct for Mediation

The Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators are the fundamental ethical guidelines for persons mediating in all practice contexts. The Standards were drafted by the American Arbitration Association, the American Bar Association’s Section of Dispute Resolution, and the Association for Conflict Resolution.

The preamble of the Standards indicate they serve three primary goals: to guide the conduct of mediators, to inform the mediating parties, and to promote public confidence in mediation as a process for resolving disputes.

As I have indicated in the past, mediation is a process in which an impartial third party facilitates communication and negotiation and promotes voluntary decision making by the parties to the dispute. Mediation serves various purposes, including providing the opportunity for parties to define and clarify issues, understand different perspectives, identify interests, explore and assess possible solutions, and reach mutually satisfactory agreements, when desired.
There are the following ten Standards: Self-determination, Impartiality, Conflicts of Interest, Competence. Confidentiality, Quality of the Process, Advertising and Solicitation, Standard Viii. Fees and Other Charges, and Advancement of Mediation Practice. To read the complete Standards of Conduct go to:

http://www.acrnet.org/about/initiatives/QualityAssurance/standards-conduct.htm

As always, you can post a comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 5/29/08

Tarahumara

We just returned from a wonderful trip on the Chihuahua Pacifico Railroad through the Cooper Canyon region of Mexico. As always, I got a baseball cap with railroad’s acronym Chepe on the crest of the hat. One of the most interesting parts of the trip was observing the Tarahumara Indians. They actually call themselves the Raramuri which means the Runners and they are some of the best runners in the world. Running up and down the canyons is an important part of their culture as well as a means of transportation and communication. I loved their colorful dress. They are a very primitive group of about 70,000 Indians. Many live in caves for part of the year. Until recently, they survived as subsistence farmers but more recently have earned money by selling crafts to tourists and accepting payment for allowing their picture to be taken. There also seems to be more begging. Many seemed to have no emotional affect. I wonder if modern civilization had done more harm than good. On the other hand, they are able to survive without modern conveniences. I don’t think I could do the same. As always, I asked about their marriage and divorce practices. They have very little tribal structure but when a couple wants to get married, the prospective husband, asks the leader for permission. If the leader says yes, the couple lives together and is considered married. Divorce is easy and frequent. If a couple wants to get divorce, they just separate and the wife usually keeps most property and the children. There does not seem to be a great need for mediation! As always, you can post a comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 5/26/08

Golden Retriever and Mediation

Molly was our golden retriever for 14 years. She would sometimes come with me to divorce mediation sessions. She was a great help both as an ice breaker and as an indicator of tension levels. If the couple got angry, she would get upset. I now work with Rescue a Golden of Arizona transporting gold retrievers to a new and better home. It is a very rewarding experience. In addition I get to use my mediation skills not only with new and old owners but with parties who want to have more than one dog. As always, you can post a comment about this blog, Divorce Mediation, or Tucson Arizona by following the directions at the right in the green column or at the bottom of this website or participate in our Presidential poll located below the directions. WM 5/23/08