Business Mediation

When conflict takes over your business, it becomes difficult to see a way forward

Disagreements in business don’t always stay contained

What may begin as a difference of opinion can gradually affect decision-making, working relationships, and eventually, the direction of the business itself. Conversations become strained or repetitive. Important decisions are delayed or avoided. In some cases, communication breaks down altogether.

If you are dealing with a situation like this, whether with a business partner, shareholder, or family member, you are likely trying to understand what your options are, and how to move forward without making things worse.

Recognizing when a situation has shifted

Most business conflicts don’t begin with a single defining moment. They tend to develop over time.

You may find that discussions no longer lead to clarity. The same issues come up repeatedly without resolution. What once felt manageable begins to feel more entrenched.

In some cases, the question becomes whether the situation can be repaired. In others, it becomes whether a transition or separation is the more realistic path.

These are not easy questions to navigate alone.

Two types of situations we most often see

While each conflict is unique, many fall into one of two categories.

Business and shareholder conflicts >

Disputes between partners or shareholders often involve questions of control, direction, contributions, and trust. Even where there are formal agreements in place, the practical reality of working together can become difficult.

In these situations, the challenge is not only identifying the issue, but finding a way to move forward that is workable in practice.

Family business conflicts >

In family enterprises, business disagreements are often intertwined with long-standing relationships.

Questions of fairness, roles, succession, and recognition can make these situations especially complex. What may appear to be a business issue often has a deeper personal dimension.

Addressing both aspects is usually necessary for any lasting resolution.

A different way to approach conflict

When a situation becomes difficult, many people feel that their options are limited: continue as things are, or move toward a more adversarial process. There is often another way.

A structured, confidential process can help create the conditions for more productive conversations where the underlying issues can be addressed, and options can be explored fully.

This does not remove difficulty from the situation. But it can make resolutions more possible.

About my approach

My work is focused on helping people navigate complex conflicts where business, relationships, and long-term outcomes intersect.

I bring an approach grounded in interest-based conflict resolution combined with an understanding of how business relationships evolve, and how they break down.

Where appropriate, this allows for movement, whether the goal is to continue working together, or to reach a structured and workable separation.

Experience and background

Clients often want to know not only how a process works, but who they will be working with.

I bring several perspectives to this work:

Judicial experience

Having served for 3 decades as a Small Claims Court judge, I bring an understanding of how disputes are assessed when they reach litigation and what is often lost when they do.

Business owner perspective

As someone involved in my own family business with my husband, I understand firsthand the realities of shared decision-making, evolving roles, and the potential for conflict when expectations diverge.

Family enterprise expertise (FEA)

As a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), I am trained to work with the particular dynamics of family-owned businesses, where financial, relational, and legacy considerations intersect.

Extensive mediation experience

My 35-year background in family law mediation informs my work in business contexts, particularly where strong emotions and long-standing dynamics are involved.

Together, these perspectives inform an approach that is both practical and attentive to the human side of complex disputes.

A first conversation

If you are dealing with a business, shareholder, or family enterprise conflict and are unsure how to move forward, a first conversation can help bring some clarity to your situation. There is no obligation. It is simply an opportunity to explore what may be possible.

For more information, or to discuss availability, please reach out.