Reflections of a Mediator
Since 2006, I have been certified by the NC Dispute Resolution Committee as a Family Financial Mediator. Ever since I began practicing family law, I knew that I wanted to become a mediator. Why? Instead of fighting for my client, I wanted to empower parties to resolve their own disputes. As a party’s attorney, I can only do so much, and I have an ethical obligation to represent my client. Mediation is one of the best tools for people to resolve their own issues.
In Wake County, we are lucky to have a wonderful group of attorneys who work as mediators. All of these attorneys have been practicing for 15 plus years, so I knew I would have to pay my dues before I could be considered by our bar as an effective mediator. I’m still paying my dues, but sometimes I found myself doubting the process and my skills as a mediator.
Recently I completed a mediation, and after we reached a resolution, both sides commented on how much they appreciated my services and how their expectations were pretty low when entering the mediation. Weeks after the mediation, I received the following email from one of the parties:
Mrs Frye,
Good Morning. I just wanted to take a moment to Thank you for your time and effort you put into the Mediation process between myself and my husband. You made this part of the processes extremely comfortable.
Honestly I didn’t walk into your office with high hope in coming to any agreement with the person who pursued me in court. Your amazing ability to talk, communicate understand and listen had the impact to reaching an agreement. I feel fortunate we got you as the Mediator in the court order. God forbid if I know anyone going through this process in the future I would highly recommend you.
Thank you for everything you did while meeting with us. Helping ending this long hard battled I endured.
My sprit and drive have been renewed! I was thrilled to help these people, and I hope to help more people in the near future.
