“Mediation provides everyone the opportunity to redeem themselves, to repair relationships, to resolve disputes, and walk away with hope for a better tomorrow. ”
Dawn Witte, JD - Family Law, Dependency, and Appellate Mediator
What I love about mediation:
When people come into mediation they are usually like glasses full of salt, oil and vinegar. Whether the relationship is personal or business, watching them work together to mend and restore the relationship is fulfilling. In time they toss out the bitter mixture and pour something fresh and new into their glasses, that is incredible!
These are just a few things I love about mediation: Witnessing barriers and roadblocks dissolve; Experiencing a person’s “light” turning on and going from dim to bright; People letting down their guard, releasing intense emotions, and engaging in meaningful discussions; Forgiveness; and Beginning the healing process.
What I hope for clients:
I hope clients walk away with more knowledge, a sense of worth/value, and are encouraged.
Why I became a mediator?
I truly believe mediation is a viable and cost effective option available to people. Mediation offers an environment where people are able to resolve their differences and walk away with dignity.
People come to me in moments of weakness, despair, turmoil, and having said and done things that are outside of their regular character. People are wounded and unclear about how to
move forward from their present circumstance. Working in the family law arena for over 25 years now, I have witnessed first- hand how damaging the legal system, as a whole, is to people. People are focused on their elusive “day in court” and the other
person being punished for all the wrongs that have occurred. The reality people experience, if and when they make it inside of a courtroom, is not what they expected. More often than not an attorney is the person speaking to the judge, not the clients. The judge makes a decision, people are required to adhere to the mandate, and frequently the judge admonishes everyone for their behavior. Judges often inform everyone that their conduct has been reprehensible, unproductive, and extremely costly, both financially and emotionally. The result rarely matches a person’s expectation. Neither person wins. And a family is further damaged.
Although people are fighting with each other and believe they simply cannot agree on anything, mediation is an opportunity for each person to have meaningful input, influence the outcome of the situation, have frank discussions, effectively deal with the brutal realities, reach a compromise, and come to an agreement on some, if not all of their concerns. Helping people through the mediation process is rewarding. Even when the participants are unable to agree, I know they walk away from mediation with more information, they have a better understanding of the other persons concerns, they have released their pent up emotions in a safe environment, and they have clearer minds. They have a global understanding and are in a position to make better decisions moving forward.