Debra Synovec
Seattle Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer: Divorce Mediator, Estate Planning Mediator, Business Mediator

Debra Synovec, Mediator

Websites:

• http://www.synovec-mediation.com
• http://www.realdivorcemediation.com
• http://twitter.com/seattlemediator

I am a Seattle mediator and collaborative lawyer providing divorce mediation, domestic partnership mediation, estate planning mediation, business succession mediation, partneship mediation, small business mediation, elder care mediation, employment mediation...... issues people care about most! In addition to mediation my practice includes small business conflict management and strategizing. I help people resolve and prevent conflict by weaving together pragmatism and compassion in my mediation pratice using my unique skills acquired as an attorney, CPA, mediator, and social worker.

My mediation services are usually used by people who are in some sort of relationship with the other person .....because they care about these types of issues most! After all....conflict only occurs about issues people care about!

Do you need to have difficult conversations, or want to have conflicts resolved, with family members or others with whom you have a relationship? These could involve:

 • Divorcing a spouse or domestic partner and handling financial and children issues

 • Estate Planning for you, your new spouse and both of your children from previous relationships

 • Business succession planning involving family members

 • Team members working on a project

 • Board members having a strategizing meeting

 • Estate or trust administration between family members

 • Guardianship of a parent, child, or other family member

I am dedicated to helping others prevent and resolve conflict and have been a mediator and conflict consultant since 1988. I am a "conflict revolutionist" committed to advancing constructive conflict management that gets to the root causes.

I am proficient at promoting collaboration and synthesis of numerous variables for mutual benefit between various entities and individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; I have the distinct ability to see needs and patterns rather than chaos and complexity and to view challenges and problem solving as growth opportunities. Believing conflict is scalable and an opportunity for constructive change and I am devoted to changing how conflict is traditionally handled so that people are empowered and able to create viable, sustainable solutions to conflicts.

My services include mediation (for divorce, estate planning, domestic partnership, elder care and work place issues) facilitation and coaching/consulting to help individuals, teams, and organizations reach settlements, establish innovative and sustainable conflict management systems, hold effective meetings, build productive programs and reduce litigation.

I am best at helping people look at conflicts from the inside out rather than the outside in so that people can get to the root causes and prevent or solve conflict. I combine pragmatism with compassion by utilizing my unique skills and distinct background, including legal, financial analysis and relationship building skills, to work effectively with clients in a variety of settings in order to solve problems, strategize and transcend conflict to create endurable, constructive agreements that prevent or resolve conflict.

I need introductions to individuals and organizations who want to promote their business and/or support an organization advancing leadership rolls for women!

I have a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Minnesota, and a B.A. in Social Work from St. Cloud State College. After finishing my accounting degree I earned the designation CPA. I have extensive mediation training and have earned the designation of Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution. My initial mediation work was with Erickson Mediation Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1988. I have taken on-going mediation and conflict resolution trainings including participation at the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative. I am also a trained Collaborative Lawyer.

I am an experienced professional mediator and have been an Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association for Conflict Resolution (formerly Academy of Family Mediators) since 1990. My work in conflict resolution began in 1988 after receiving training from Erickson Mediation Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I worked as a mediator with Erickson Mediation for a year before starting my own practice as a mediator, conflict consultant and court administrative hearing officer. Prior to beginning my practice in conflict resolution I was the Chief Financial Officer for a national real estate consulting firm and practiced as a CPA.