Mediator | Attorney | Former Judge

Marietta Shipley

Mediator | Attorney | Former Judge

Passion for empowering people to peacefully resolve conflict

FINDING SOLUTIONS

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.” 

– John Lennon

I love hearing people’s stories and helping them work through conflict peacefully, whether it’s a divorce or a civil dispute.

Life isn’t always easy or fair. It’s very natural for people to want to go to court so they can “win” or have someone declare that they’re “right.” But litigation comes with risk and a price.  For one, the judge or jury may decide that you’re the loser and the other person is the winner; and two, going to court costs a lot of money.

It’s also very natural for people facing conflict to want to move on with their lives and be happy. Mediation is a process where a mediator (an impartial third party) helps two or more people in conflict communicate, negotiate and voluntarily decide how to settle their dispute. Mediation doesn’t make anyone right or wrong; mediation reaches consensus. It’s more efficient and less costly.

HELPING PEOPLE

We’ve become such a litigious society that the we have forgotten that being a lawyer is a helping profession. My career path from attorney to judge to mediator was greatly influenced by my father.  He was a Lutheran minister and scholar and had a gentle and calm way of dealing with people. During his time as minister, the church split and he had to manage a great deal of conflict. He lost church members and friends yet he remained steady, led by example and inspired others to be their best selves.

Conflict and divorce are emotional — full of anger, betrayal, disappointment and fear. Being a mediator allows me to help people feel heard and to inspire people to be their best selves. Like my father, I get to make a difference in people’s lives. It is an honor to be part of making a difficult and challenging time transform into a new and promising future.

MOVING FORWARD

“People are often unrealistic, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.” – Mother Teresa

MEDIATION & COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE

Mediation and Collaborative Practice Divorce encourages you to focus on your future and dissolve your marriage cooperatively so you minimize distress for you and especially your children.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN

Many parents stay together “for the children” but once the decision to get a divorce has been made, it’s time to focus on how to make this life changing event as easy and positive as possible.

FROM OUR CLIENTS

  • "I would rate results and professional performance and recommendation to other couples as 9 out of 10. I liked the idea of a team approach and a financial planner and divorce coach. Marietta was great to work with, very knowledgeable and easy to work with. The divorce coach was helpful. The financial professional was great to work with, very persistent which was needed particularly by one party in the divorce."

    Jim Schettler

  • "I hoped to get through my divorce without litigation, as quickly as possible and with minimal conflict. All three goals were met or exceeded. From initial filing to final divorce was just over six months, which is lightning speed in the world of marital dissolutions. Marietta Shipley, Sandy Arons and David McMillan did a fantastic job of reeling in my former wife and her lawyer when they became belligerent. They did so by working as a team in difficult situations and without having to meet unreasonable demands. Each one focused on their areas of expertise and each also supported the others in a way only a close knit team can. Marietta, Sandy and David used their many professional relationships and resources to help advance the process at just the right times. Collectively they were a calming influence on what could have been a far more confrontational experience. Going through a divorce is a very difficult experience and surrounding yourself with the right people is vital. Having a legal, a financial and a family planning advisor all on the same team is a game changer. I can’t imagine having gone through this without Marietta Sandy and David by my side. In a time when your emotions and instinct tell you to fight they will keep you focused on what is most important, a quick and collaborative resolution and a healthy future for your family."

    Greg Cavaleri