Welcome

                                                                                                                                   

You may be visiting this site because life has thrown you one of its many curve balls – workplace disputes … neighborhood altercations … divorce … elder care decisions … estate battles. When conflict escalates out of control, and you don’t want to fight it out in court, there’s another way. It’s called mediation, and it may be just what the doctor ordered.

Mediation is private and confidential. It can be scheduled at your own convenience. The parties in conflict decide how the dispute will be resolved. This is different from both arbitration and litigation, where an arbitrator, judge, or jury decides your fate.

Mediation is conducted by a neutral third party, who is aptly called a mediator. This is where I enter the scene. My role as a mediator is to help the parties talk about what led up to the situation and how to resolve it. The straightforward conversation encouraged in mediation can lead to the resolution of civil, family, or workplace disputes. When the parties decide their terms of settlement, a legally binding agreement is signed.

Through mediation, relationships torn apart by conflict can be repaired and restored, workplace disputes can be settled in a way that promotes better employee relations, and altercations can be managed before they rise to the level of litigation.

Group facilitation and conflict management classes are also available. These services help businesses, non-profits, and schools improve workplace communication and develop strategic goals for a more productive future.  Some gatherings facilitated include:

    • Nashville Sustainable Business Summit
    • MNPS Cafeteria Managers Nutrition Summit
    • MNPS Farm to School Summit
    • Nashville Coalition for Youth Safety strategic planning
    • Nashville Child and Youth Master Plan community meetings
    • Every Child Outdoors statewide summit
    • How to Handle Bullies middle school workshop

To learn more about any of these services, please visit the pages listed above or call for a free consultation.

(615) 735-1874

 
 
Sarah M. Smith holds a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Management with honors.  She is a TN Supreme Court Listed Mediator and a member of the TN Association of Professional Mediators.  

 

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