Mediator Pat 2019

 Program Director, Dr. Pat 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.

 Attorney, MS in Clinical Psychology Alik Segal joined Southern California Family Mediation in 2016.   

Alik has been an important innovator of mediation and has provided training and leadership for the team. .

 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

 Marie is a mediator, arbitrator and financial services consultant.  She has been mediating and facilitating with Center for Conflict Resolution (LA Superior Court small claims), California Lawyers for the Arts, and INVLA as a peer mediation coach and facilitator since 2014, and has a JD from Boston University School of Law and an MFA from USC Cinematic Arts.  

  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.  

  With a JD from Massachusetts School of Law in Andover, Maureen has many years of experience in mediation. She has mediated with the L.A. City Attorney’s Office. Maureen also taught peer mediation at Alexander Science Center School for the Institute for Non Violence in Los Angeles, and has served as a facilitator for INVLA’s Days of Dialogue.  

 Maria Brinson-Sampson, JD, St. Mary’s University, has her own mediation firm, Downtown Mediators, and her non-profit, The Marrying Kind Inc.  Her book, The Marrying Kind, was the catalyst for her non-profit.  

As an Air Force wife, Maria has worked with diverse communities in leadership positions. 

  Holding an M.A. in Negotiation and Conflict Management, Marvin is a private divorce mediator.  He has experience mediating family, landlord-tenant, medical, real estate, and construction, with CAMP, LACBA, L. A. City Attorney Dispute Resolution Program and Neighborhood Justice Program, and L. A. & Ventura County Superior Courts.  

 Leyla is a distinguished and experienced mediator, facilitator, coach, and trainer specializing in highly-charged divorce and family mediations. She is drawn to helping others & advocating for children.

Leyla is a member of the L.A. County Bar Association Arbitration Panel and APFM.

Her extensive experience as a mediator has also prepared her to provide training in mediation at universities and professional organizations. Her approach is effective, compassionate & economical.

www.balakhanemediation.com

  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.  

  Sandy is a bilingual mediator with 17 years’ experience in family violence prevention working with offenders and victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Ms. Villeda began her career in restorative justice in 2014 with the City Attorney’s office where she obtained her training. Sandy also studied mediation at Loyola Law School, Western Justice Center, and Institute of Non-Violence Los Angeles.  

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. 

 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. 

  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 well known for her natural ability to connect and relate to people, which allows her to achieve effective, long-lasting and mutually satisfying resolutions.  

 Susan North has been working with children and their families since 1971. Her diverse background includes many educational settings. Susie opened her mediation practice in 2007 and now divides her time doing conflict resolution, parent education, parent coaching, blogging, and teaching school-age kids to be peer mediators. She is the author of The Opposite of COMBAT, A Parent's Guide for Teaching Siblings How to Collaborate & Solve Their Own Conflicts. 

After acquiring a JD from UCLA Law School, Leigh practiced in the field of Family Law for several years.

She is a certified mediator with Centinela Youth Services (CYS) where she mediates in English and Spanish for both victim offender and family conflict mediation. 

Leigh was named CYS volunteer mediator of the year in 2019 and received the William C. Hobbs award for outstanding adult volunteer from the County of Los Angeles. 

Sid is a graduate of the University of Hawaii (B.Ed.), the University of Southern California (J.D.) and the Pepperdine, Harvard, and Dan Simon  mediation and negotiation programs. Over the course of 40 years, Sid has seen the mediation process from all sides as an initiating and responding advocate, as a principal/client, and as a mediator and is still learning about and amazed by the power of listening with an open mind and open heart.   

Skanazawa@sklawmediation.com

Rachel is a LMFT in Los Angeles, CA. She has been working in community based organizations for over 20 years. Professionally trained Mental Health and Infant/Toddler Specialist with expertise in early intervention, early childhood education, mental and behavioral health, and family services. Passionate and focused on meeting the needs of children and families within the community.  

  Song received her JD from UCLA School of Law and started her Restorative Justice journey at Centinela Youth Services and SCFM serving families and communities in transforming conflict to greater understanding & possibilities for unity and peace. Song also provides services as a Mediator, Facilitator and Trainer to families and organizations on “Doing conflict well” and is informed by Nonviolent communication, compassionate listening and mediating in the minivan. 

As a collaborative family law attorney, Lynette helps litigants  arrive at timely, cost-effective resolutions for clients.  Ms. Kim has served clients in L. A. & Orange Counties since 1995, and is a recipient of LACBA’s Justice Benjamin Aranda award for outstanding public service. 

www.attorneylynettekim.com 

An attorney with twenty years of resolving disputes within major companies, Ted mediation training also includes Pepperdine, Los Angeles County DCBA, and Centinela Youth Services. He is a mediator with Intrepid Dispute Resolution. 

www.intrepiddisputeresolution.com 

With a Master's degree in Community & Agency Counseling from the University of Wisconsin and more than 30 years experience, Roseanne has directed military family support programs, both foreign and domestic.  She was a program Manager and Network Trainer for three of the largest EAPs, and founder of InHerVision, a mediation and conflict resolution company. 

 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.  

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/ 

  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. 

  Amanda began her journey with Restorative Justice while working at a middle and high school for refugee and immigrant youth.  She obtained an Advanced Graduate Certification from SDSU in Trauma Informed Care and Mental Health Recovery. She is passionate about understanding and mitigating the impacts of trauma on children.

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. 

 Johanna practiced discrimination and personnel law, served as a municipal commissioner, and is the author of Use Protection: An Employee’s Guide to Advancement in the Workplace. Johanna has served on the boards of seven nonprofits. She has special interests in organizational structure and the effect of trauma on children. 

 A neutral advocate for each side, Marlon brings perspective earned through decades of diverse legal, mediation and “real-life” experience on both coasts.  Experienced in personal injury, construction, entertainment, start-ups, real estate, malpractice, uncoupling, small business and other disputes, Marlon received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School  and he has earned degrees in both philosophy and theater. 

www.MARSmediation.com 

 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.

Tatevik is a graduate of the LLM program at USC School of Law, where she also earned a certificate in ADR.  She participated in the USC Mediation Clinic, completed the LA County DCBA Mediation Training, and mediated small claims cases at LAC Superior Courts.  Tatevik received her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Yerevan State Linguistic University in Armenia and is fluent in Armenian and Russian languages. Throughout her career, she has developed a high level of professionalism in the legal field as well as learned how to communicate with a variety of people from all over the world and appreciate their professional and cultural differences.

  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 elite team of peacemakers.  He earned an advanced degree in business and dispute resolution from Pepperdine University, in 2009.   

The work of mediators is foundational, because all noble causes require a foundation of peace.  Conflict can and must be engaged more successfully and less harmfully.  There's nothing else like mediation, a better form of social peace & justice, and the only form of assisted dispute resolution where the people decide.  Sometimes, when you find mediation, mediation finds you.  Peace must begin at home, and SCFM volunteers give young parents a fighting chance...

when they need us most. 

Life is a chance 

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.