Deborah Kirchwey

In her other role as an attorney since 1991, Deb has seen the limits of the justice system in cases involving families. In a litigated case, the parties are often financially and emotionally drained, alienated from one another, and often both parties are disappointed with the court’s decision.

Deb believes that in most cases, the parties are better off if they can sit down with a neutral guide who can help them find a path through the thick forest of facts, feelings, and emotions. As a neutral mediator, Deb enjoys serving as that guide, helping to create a supportive atmosphere where the parties can take ownership of the process and harness their own skills to work together toward crafting an agreement that all parties find acceptably fair and reasonable. Deb’s style is flexible, depending upon the needs of the participants. No single approach works for everyone.

Deb has mediation experience in a variety of family-related cases: Divorce, Parentage, Modifications of custody or parent-child contact, and Family communication issues. Deb has also provided mediation services in other areas such as business disputes, landlord-tenant matters, and foreclosure proceedings. Deb also has real-life experience with difficult interactions, which helps her to have sensitivity toward the participants’ experiences.