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Professional neutral with over 25 years experience mediating issues involving small business disputes, family, parenting and divorce, workplace and employment, and general civil matters. In private practice since 1994 offering mediation consultation, training, negotiation, and facilitation services in the private and public sector. Susan mediates throughout Arizona although based in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Susan currently mediates for the U.S. Postal Service, Maricopa County Justice Courts and serves on the Employment Mediation Panel of the American Arbitration Association. Former Instructor in the Mediation and Dispute Resolution Professional Certificate Program at UC Santa Barbara.

Experienced practitioner and trainer in the field of mediation and conflict resolution. Former Manager of the Consumer Complaints Division of the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing, Boston, MA; worked as an associate attorney in three family law offices before going into private practice in 1994 specializing in family and general business matters. Licensed to practice law in California and Massachusetts, current status: inactive. Past chair of the Beverly Hills Bar Association's ADR section, past president of the Southern California Mediation Association, past member of executive committee of the California Dispute Resolution Council, past president of the Arizona Association for Conflict Resolution, Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators, and Metropolitan chapter of Business and Professional Women.

Extensive experience mediating family and divorce issues including parenting, child and spousal support, division of property, debts, fees, marital mediation and prenuptial agreements. Specialize in working with high conflict couples. Have mediated workplace, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination disputes between supervisors and employees; numerous EEO claims of discrimination and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act; homeowner and neighborhood matters; insurance claims with respect to earthquake damage; bankruptcy and general business and breach of contract claims. Have over 500 hours of mediation, negotiation and collaborative law training and teach two courses at University of California at Santa Barbara, Mediation and Dispute Resolution Professional Certificate Program.

B.A., Hampshire College; J.D., Southwestern Law School; Diploma in Advanced International Law, McGeorge School of Law in cooperation with Salzburg University, Austria. Graduate studies in mediation and negotiation at University of Massachusetts, Boston and Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA.

Mediation is a collaborative process where I help facilitate open communication between all parties and identify areas of agreement to promote resolution of all issues. Strive to build trust and maintain an environment conducive to constructive conversation and adapt my style to the needs of the situation utilizing a facilitative, directive or transformative approach. Unless agreed otherwise, we begin in joint session and proceed with caucus as necessary. In complex litigated cases, parties are asked to submit a brief mediation statement in advance. My practice encourages the parties to meet without attorneys if they so choose.

Hourly and per-day rates set by mediator. Only charge for long distance travel.

Offer mediation and negotiation training and consulting services to universities and corporations and facilitation services to non-profit community associations.