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My Journey from Litigator to Mediator

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For 21 years, I have been fighting.  As a mother and advocate for my special needs’ son, I fought medical professionals, insurance companies, school systems, government organizations, and just about anyone who “got in the way” of what was best for my son. This is a lifetime battle that continues to this day.

 

For the past 12 years, I have been fighting as a litigator. As a prosecutor, I worked hard to obtain justice for victims. As a workers’ compensation attorney for employers and insurance companies, I defended claims, worked to manage claim costs, and negotiated economical resolutions.  As an attorney for injured workers, I strongly advocated for my clients’ rights and negotiated settlements to address their physical, economic, and career needs.

 

In 2021, in the midst of an emotionally and physically draining legal battle for my son, I became personally aware of the “gift” of a negotiated resolution. I was focused on the “win,” and as a parent, there are no higher stakes. However, I was faced with a battle that could have lasted for years. After several months of talks, we reached an agreement to resolve the dispute. Not only did I sleep better than I had in months, reaching an agreement removed a weight I thought only a “win” could lift. It was then that I understood that a “win” can also come from gaining closure and having control over the outcome.

 

Prior to going to law school, I taught high school English. As a teacher, I gained valuable training in explaining difficult concepts to individuals at all education levels. Teaching also provided experience in communicating and resolving conflicts with individuals of all backgrounds and often with different interests.  In 2007, I left teaching to attend law school. In 2010, I graduated from Georgia State University College of Law. Since 2010, I have been fighting as a litigator. After more than a decade as an advocate, I transitioned from litigator to mediator and refocused my objective from advocacy to neutrality to facilitate favorable solutions for all parties.

 

I use my years of personal experience and professional training as a litigator, teacher, and mediator to help parties resolve disputes.  As a mediator, I take a Smart, Balanced, and Mindful approach to achieve a successful resolution that is in the best interests of all parties.