My passion is helping people with conflict prevention and conflict resolution. I founded Dovetail Resolutions in 2006, after practicing as an attorney and mediator for a number of years. I graduated from Trinity College in 1979 with a B.A. in Economics and then served as a VISTA volunteer in rural Colorado. I received my law degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1984. The same year I earned my M.A., also from Penn, in Public Policy Analysis, with a concentration in conflict resolution.
My career has included time as a law clerk, private practice of law, service in the public sector, and not-for-profit work. I have served as an adjunct moot court instructor at the University of Connecticut School of Law and as an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven, teaching Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Evidence.
Conflict Coaching in the CINERGY (R) model, mediation, facilitation, and consulting for families and their businesses: succession planning for family businesses, family wealth challenges (including estate planning and settlement issues), and family philanthropy.
I enjoy speaking about mediation and conflict prevention and resolution to general interest groups, business groups, and groups that work in the area of estate planning and administration and trust administration. I host the podcast Crafting Solutions to Conflict, which provides a positive and practical on conflict.
Family Firm Institute, Purposeful Planning Institute, Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises, Association for Conflict Resolution, Past President of its New England Chapter; Past Co-chair of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section, Connecticut Bar Association
My services are often a good resource for trusted advisors who become aware of a client's need for mediation or consulting to deal with a destructive conflict or situation primed for conflict. These advisors can be attorneys, accountants, business bankers, wealth management professionals, business consultants, geriatric care managers, continuing care center staff -- or sometimes a trusted friend.