I have spent the last 25 years assisting people in dispute/conflict resolution matters, having assisted in resolving well over 1000 matters in Commercial Litigation prior to, during, and after, the commencement of an action.
I am a graduate of what I consider to be the most comprehensive Mediation training program there is – the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, provided by York University in Toronto.
I have participated in excess of 300 hours of Commercial and Family Mediation Training, and have been taught by the best in Dr. Desmond Ellis, Dr. Barbara Landau and Dr. Richard W. Shields, instructors who are second to none.
My personal and professional background (see below) complimented by the education I have received, and continue to receive, allows me to be confident, and competent, in helping you reach your objectives, no matter the situation.
My Professional Background
I have spent the last 25 years assisting clients in dispute/conflict resolution matters, ranging from a simple dispute over a product or service, to helping resolve cross-border business issues such as Tax rebate entitlements, including managing a portfolio of more than 300 lawsuits across North America, and dealing with lawyers on both sides of an issue.
I have negotiated and/or facilitated discussions directly and indirectly on behalf of hundreds of clients in an effort to minimize cost and time issues, and have helped resolve over 90% of those matters without having to go to Trial.
I have appeared in Court well in excess of 200 times, so I am well versed in the Court process and the inner workings of the legal system.
I have trained hundreds of business people on how to negotiate business issues, how to recognize potential pitfalls in a negotiation, as well on the workings of the legal system, from how to use the Small Claims Court to the benefits of Security Agreements.
I provided the knowledge base for a training program called “The Professional Credit Manager”, and was the featured article in the Toronto Sun newspaper Small Business section (February 17 1997)
I am also a member of the ADR Institute of Ontario.
I have been fortunate to have experienced almost every situation possible in a litigation environment, in all areas, which I believe provides me with a unique skill set that will meet your needs, regardless of the issue to be resolved.
My “Personal” Experience
In addition to my business background, I have been coaching youth sports, and serving in various roles within the sports community such as league vice president and discipline committee chairman, for the past 25 years – and dealing with conflict in minor sports can be a challenge, as well as a learning experience.
Unfortunately, you also see a lot of issues that are directly related to family dynamics, education, and economic concerns that are often the underlying reasons that cause a seemingly unrelated incident to escalate into something more serious.
It is probably the closest replica of Family mediation one could get outside of an actual Family mediation itself.
I have been told that I am a “natural” at Family mediation, in addition to my Commercial expertise, and will continue to pursue the never-ending learning process of becoming a successful Mediator.