Community and Public Policy Facilitation
Few people can say they helped to resolve some of the most intractable disputes of our time.
We can.
Our experiences in the public arena give us the capacity to provide communities and stakeholders that have competing interests a “safe space” and forum to find common ground and resolution. Our work in this field incorporates our mediation philosophy, but we also recognize it requires a different skill set than resolving the factual and legal disputes that arise in litigation. We bring skills and experiences directly relevant to resolving entrenched cultural, emotional, and political conflicts. For example, Becky’s service on a collaborative Colorado Supreme Court and later as the leader of IAALS demonstrates her ability to bring diverse viewpoints and interests together to reach consensus on important issues within the legal system. Jim’s work over the years on the ground in Northern Ireland required him to work with bitterly divided communities in order to facilitate cross-community economic development projects in support of peace and reconciliation culminating in the Good Friday Agreement.
Based on these experiences, we believe that the most complex community disputes are best resolved by bringing all stakeholders to the table and providing experienced, trusted, and fair facilitators. This approach allows each group to have a voice, cuts through posturing, and places the parties’ focus on substance rather than procedure. Importantly, we take these types of cases on as a team, thus offering a politically and experientially balanced panel—a lawyer/diplomat and a judge, a man and a woman, a Democrat and a Republican, who often have different perspectives but work well together, offer valuable experience, and are well equipped to do the hard and patient work of understanding the positions and objectives of the parties and stakeholders to assist them in reaching common ground.
Other Services: Arbitration Mediation Strategic Analysis Other Services