Mediator’s Minute: Anniversary Edition

Dahlia in Mendocino. Photo Credit: Shireen Wetmore

This is a special edition of Mediator's Minute for me. June marks the one year anniversary of heading out on my own with Shireen Wetmore Mediation. Although the official launch did not happen until the fall, I believe it is important to celebrate each of these milestones. It takes a lot to leave a thriving practice and start a new business. I have learned so much in this past year. I am grateful for all those whose support, advice, and kindness have helped make this such a fantastic and fun year. 

Thank You

As I set out to build Shireen Wetmore Mediation, I thought hard about what I would have liked to see in my mediations, after having participated in hundreds of mediations from the counsel's point of view, and worked to incorporate those changes into my process. Many of you, dear readers, helped shape my process as well, with your vast experience and candid takes on likes and dislikes in mediation. The result is a mediation practice that focuses on empowering the parties and their counsel through an empathy-based approach to mediation. What does that mean in practice? It means that the parties drive the conversation, that the perspectives of all participants--from parties to counsel to the attorneys' staff--are incorporated in the process, and that the process of mediation starts well before the pre-call and does not end with the signature on a settlement agreement.

Mediation brings me joy and I am grateful to my customers for allowing me to share my enthusiasm for mediation as we work together to resolve their toughest disputes. THANK YOU to my wonderful customers for letting me do this work, day in and day out.

Doing More Good

I believe in the win-win-win. Mediation is great for the parties and the legal industry as a whole. But we can always do more! For every donation completed with Shireen Wetmore Mediation, I donate to a different charity.  2026 is the year of the food bank and has already resulted in donations to food banks throughout California.

Taking Flight

I have grown so much in this past year. I love learning from my customers--the parties and their counsel--and watching them find creative ways to resolve their toughest disputes. I can't wait to see what this next year has in store. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Shireen Wetmore is a mediator specializing in complex employment matters and can be reached for questions, comment, or booking at www.shireenwetmoremediation.com.  

This Mediator’s Minute is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.