Lisa Taylor

ONLINE MEDIATION AVAILABLE.I had conducted virtual mediations over the years as necessary when one spouse moved out of state or to a distant county. When the Pandemic hit, I was thankful to have that experience. Now, I conduct almost all of my mediaitons online. Video mediations allow face-to-face interactions that make you feel almost as if you are in the same room but allow safety and comfort because you are not confined to a conference room with each other. Plus, with the improvements to videoconferencing software, I am able to tailor the process as I would in person: for example, separating parties when it is helpful to do so, using “waiting rooms” and mute features.

More generally, I have been an attorney for over 25 years and a full-time mediator for more than 17 years. I have been very successful in helping couples amicably settle their divorces, avoiding the delays, excessive legal bills, and trauma that result from the traditional adversarial process. My clients protect their children from a court battle between their parents and protect themselves from years of lingering bitterness.So when people ask, “Why did you leave a successful litigation practice to begin a mediation firm?” the answer is simple: mediation is more fulfilling for me and for my clients. Instead of finding ways to weaken the other side, which was my job as a litigator, now I empower both sides so they can resolve disputes and move forward with their lives. A peaceful divorce is possible.

I became an attorney in 1988, graduating from the University of Michigan School of Law. In 1999, I experienced my own divorce and the emotional turmoil it created for my children and for me. That year, I took the training to become a civil mediator. However, I mediated only a few cases, because I became more heavily involved in litigation. Although I was successful, I did not feel fulfilled. Regardless of the number of “wins”, I realized that litigating is really “lose-lose” for everyone because of the costs in time, money, stress, and increased hostility. I stopped litigating to mediate full time. My clients usually leave each session smiling — a result I did not see when litigating!

Regarding my education, I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan as well as my law degree. I trained as a mediator through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and the Oakland Mediation Center, and completed the ICLE’s family law Certificate program.

I have acted as a training coach for the Oakland Mediation Center’s mediator training program and provided volunteer mediation services there.

I was Secretary of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) for 5 years and now chair its Legislation and Court Procedures Action Team. The Michigan Judicial Council appointed me to serve on its Expanding Problem Resolution Approaches Work Group, and the Supreme Court Administrative Office appointed me to serve on the  Collaborative Law Court Rules Committee that drafted the Collaborative Law and Consent Judgment court rules. I also chaired a SBM ADR Section Committee that proposed amendments to the Michigan Standards of Conduct for Mediators and to the Michigan Court Rules regarding mediator disclosure.