This has been an exciting and interesting year for me after leaving the district court bench just a year ago. It was truly plowing new ground for me. Mediation has become a passion for me and I am so grateful for the many opportunities to have assisted many people, their attorneys, and the courts.

I did not always believe in mediation. “A party needs his/her day in court” was the cry of many lawyers in the early days of mediation. But I became convinced that it was not only more sensible way to resolve disputes but was indispensable to the system of justice. Of course, my 16 years on the bench would have been quite different with alternative methods of dispute resolution.

During the year I have balanced pretending to be retired while also mediating almost 50 cases consuming over 360 hours, with 93% of the cases settling. I know that percentage is bound to drop so I’m bragging about it now!

The other big change for the year came with setting up my own mediation suite with the necessary creature comforts and convenience establishing an environment in which resolution can be sought.