Debra L. Smith, Attorney at Law  |     home

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Mediation

   

Mediation is a process where parties work with a neutral individual to resolve a dispute.   The parties decide how they want to resolve a dispute, the mediator does not.  Notes of the Mediator are confidential.  The process is private.  

Attorney Smith received arbitration and mediation training through the American Arbitration Association in 1989.  She obtained additional 32 hours of Basic Training in 1994 and also took Advanced Divorce Mediation in 1997.  She attends trainings in mediation maintain her skills.

Ms. Smith was a Director on the Board of Directors for Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc. from June 2002 to June 2010.  While a Director for Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc., Ms. Smith was the Treasurer from June 2004 to June 2005 and the Program Chair from May 2005 to June 2006.  She was the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.'s Chair of the Institute, a day long education conference that was held at the Wellesley Community Center in Wellesley Massachusetts on October 21, 2005 and October 20, 2006.  For more information about Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc., please visit www.mcfm.org.

Ms. Smith has written articles for the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.  Her articles include:

-"After Marriage Review",  http://www.mcfm.org/news/1spring_2003.pdf;

-"M.C.F.M.'s History, Interviews with Three Founders",   http://www.mcfm.org/fmqarchives.htm and click in fall of 2002;

-"Lessons for Mediators from Malcolm Gladwell's"Blink" Summer 2005 edition;    

-In the spring of 2006, Ms. Smith wrote with Lynn K. Cooper, Ed. D.: "Mediating Parent/Child Disputes, The Benefits of Avoiding a "CHINS" Case," which can be read at http://www.mcfm.org/articlefmq.htm?sid=9; and

-In the fall of 2008, Ms. Smith wrote, "Going Green: MCFM Endorses the Eco Challenge Pledge. "

Ms. Smith acts as a mediator in an informal comfortable setting in her office located at 134 Main Street in Watertown, Massachusetts.  She will participate in co-mediation, if requested.  Cost for mediation services by Attorney Smith is generally split between the parties.

(c) Copyright 2010. Debra L. Smith. All Rights Reserved.