Mediator Dr. Pat Director 2019

 Dr. Pat brings a wealth of wisdom & experience to our Board of Directors.  She is retired from the American Postal Workers’ Union as a National Officer, and is the APWU National Convention Western Region Retiree Delegate.  She received her Doctorate Degree in Psychology, Mediation/Conflict Resolution.  Pat has served as an arbitration & mediation advocate for the American Postal Workers' Union AFL-CIO. 

After acquiring a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Mandy practiced  law representing minors in juvenile delinquency and dependency court proceedings.  A passionate advocate for children and families, Mandy believes that mediation can help families move past conflicts and teach skills to build better relationships. Mandy is a mediator with Centinela Youth Services and the mother of three children. 

 A real living hero, Naomi stepped-up to become the program's first Mediation Coordinator, when we went on-line in 2020, when families needed us most.  Naomi has worked with the L.A. County Bar Association and the L.A. City Attorney’s Office.  She is a retired Project Manager, Trainer, and Quality Analyst.  Nellie has also worked with Grace Resources as a Visitation Supervisor, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).   

 A National Mediation Board, 

Washington, District of Columbia, USA mediator, professor, and Mediators Beyond Boarders International, Board of Directors, Victoria has been an SCFM mediator since 2016.

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 John is a graduate of USC Gould School of Law, ADR & MDR.  He is experienced with Superior Court cases including real estate contracts, construction defects, inheritance, and HAOAHE.  

"Mediation is the art of turning conflict into opportunity." 

mediationguaranteed.com

  Dr. Weissman received his Doctor of Pharmacy from USC, and his law degree from Loyola Law School.  He was appointed Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the USC School of Pharmacy. He also teaches Medical Controversies and The Law.  He has authored two textbooks. Dr. Weissman has been honored by his students by being chosen as one of the outstanding teachers of the year four times during the last 17 years. Dr. Weissman was certified as a mediator by Loyola Law School.  

 Bouchra is an experienced mediator and conflict resolution consultant, specializing in areas of family, community and cross-cultural conflicts. She received her master’s degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace-building from CSUDH. Bouchra speaks Arabic, French and Spanish and is very known for her natural ability to connect and relate to people, which allows her to achieve effective, long lasting and mutually satisfying resolutions. 

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  Robin has over 20 years of experience in special education.  She concentrates on facilitating Individualized Education Program (FIEP) meetings and Mediations related to education. 

She has trained at the University of Nevada (Las Vegas), the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque), and Pepperdine University’s Straus Dispute Resolution Summer Institute. 

A graduate of California Polytechnic State University,  Robin also has a Master’s degree from the UoP. 

 Cyndi is a lawyer and mediator who handles disputes in the areas of divorce, estates, and business. She joined SCFM to help parents find creative, child-focused ways to resolve their differences.  

Milan has mediated more than 600 cases, and is the recipient of multiple awards from the L. A. Superior Court and the State of California. He is a panelist & co-founder of Valley Bar Mediation Center. 

He has advanced degrees in mathematics and philosophy.  His work is widely published.  

www.valleybarmediationcenter.com

J.D. and Principal at Koenig Mediation, LLC, I specialize in Family Mediation in the areas of prenuptial arrangements, divorce, co-parenting plans, and family business related matters. My main focus is to assist families in conflict to develop creative ways to solve problems, knowledge building and personal empowerment. I am Fluent in Spanish & English.

 Talia completed her BA, LLB cum laude in South Africa, and her LLM Masters of Laws in Conflict Resolution cum laude at Pepperdine. She practiced commercial Law for 7 years. She teaches Yoga and Mindfulness, is passionate about health and wellness, and believes in a holistic way of living.  Talia is an advocate for Foster Children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. 

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 With over a decade of experience, Sarah has established herself as an esteemed legal professional mediator and Director of Operations at a conflict resolution focused firm. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice and has trained at the Center for Dispute Resolution,  Pepperdine's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Lipscomb University Institute for Conflict Management, and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law.  

Elizabeth is a licensed California attorney and a Certified Family Law Specialist. In 2018, after a 25-year full-time career in family law litigation, she became a full-time divorce mediator in Menifee, CA.  In 2021, Elizabeth obtained a Masters of Law in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. Elizabeth currently handles child-centered disputes, as a compassionate and caring full time mediator. She also serves on the Riverside Superior Court’s Family Law panel of mediators.   www.mcvickersfamilylawmediation.com 

 Shirley is SCFM's amazing Systems Administrator and a leader of our administrative team!  She holds a Master's degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University. She is a trilingual mediator with a deep understanding of the many dimensions of intercultural disputes.  
A genuine hero, Shirley stepped-up to provide critical systems & technical support for the SCFM mediation team, when COVID struck in 2020. 

 Leslie entered the mediation community in 2001. Her experiences serving L.A. Superior Court ADR Panel, CAMP, and CYS allowed her to mediate a broad range of cases. She currently serves SCFM and participates on the LACBA Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Service, for both mediation and arbitration. Drawing upon her 35-year Interior Design business, Leslie’s mediation private practice integrates but is not limited to her diverse professional background including construction, architecture, custom manufacturing, textiles, and international shipping.  Leslie has been active with SCMA since 2007 and served 5 years as Secretary on their Board of Directors and 7 years as chair of the Outreach and Collaboration Committee.  

 Leslie entered the mediation community in 2001. Her experiences serving L.A. Superior Court ADR Panel, CAMP, and CYS allowed her to mediate a broad range of cases. She currently serves SCFM and participates on the LACBA Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Service, for both mediation and arbitration. Drawing upon her 35-year Interior Design business, Leslie’s mediation private practice integrates but is not limited to her diverse professional background including construction, architecture, custom manufacturing, textiles, and international shipping.  Leslie has been active with SCMA since 2007 and served 5 years as Secretary on their Board of Directors and 7 years as chair of the Outreach and Collaboration Committee.  

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Kristen earned her J.D. from Whittier Law School, and her LL.M. in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Southern California.  She has served at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Norwalk Superior Court.  Her passion is softball and she has been playing since she was three.  

I have a 5 years old son who is my world.

 A native Angeleno, a California-licensed labor lawyer since 2000, and a mediator since early 2016, Aaron has mediated hundreds of cases with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, the City Attorney’s office, the Center for Conflict Resolution, and Centinela Youth Services. In addition to his private practice, Aaron's also the mediation program director for the Los Angeles office of California Lawyers for the Arts and a panel arbitrator with the Los Angeles County Bar Association.  https://www.cultivatingconsensus.com/ 

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 Kathy, who earned a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution from CSUDH, has 10+ years of experience developing and implementing a family court voluntary settlement program that trains and supervises volunteer mediators to empower litigants to make important decisions for themselves so that the Court does not have to step in and decide for them. Now retired, Kathy looks forward to giving back to the community as a volunteer herself.

Fernanda is a Brazilian attorney.

Holding an LLM in ADR from USC, she has mediated and negotiated litigated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cases of the Central District of The District Court, small claims, and civil harassment cases.  She is a trilingual mediator (English, Portuguese and Spanish), passionate about cross-cultural matters.  Fernanda believes negotiation brings people together and it is a privilege to help them. 

  Jackie brings to the mediation experience enthusiasm for the process, empathy and good will for the parties and a focused intention to facilitate a best-case agreement. She is a certified mediator with Centinela Youth Services and a panelist with LA City’s Neighborhood Justice Program. Her focus is on strengthening families and rebuilding communities through transformative mediation and restorative justice programs. 

  Peggy earned her Doctor of Philosophy in toxicology from Indiana University and has more than 45 years of experience in the research and development of new medicines and medical devices. She was bestowed the honor of Fellow by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society and has served as an Adjunct Professor, CSUCI, and on the Board of Directors or Advisory Board for multiple organizations. With a passion for freeing and restoring the lives of victims of human trafficking and mentoring and advocating for youth at risk, Peggy began mediating in 2019 after completing initial training at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law.

SCFM Co-Founder & Executive Director, Mediator L Randy Drew, has the privilege of serving this amazing team of peacemakers.  He earned an advanced degree in business and dispute resolution from Pepperdine University, in 2009.   

The work of mediators is foundational.  Conflict can be engaged with more successfully & less harmfully.  There's nothing else like mediation.  If the people don't decide, it's not mediation.  

Sometimes, when you find mediation, mediation finds you.

International Peacemaker and author of several books including Mediating Dangerously, Crossroads of Conflict, and The Dance of Opposites. 

University of Southern California, School of Law, Judith O. Hollinger Alternative Dispute Resolution, Mediation Clinic Director.

 Dr. Goetz is the Associate Director, Judge Judith O. Hollinger Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lecturer at USC Gould School of Law, and 2018 President of Southern California Mediation Association.