Mediator Resume

A California-licensed attorney and professional family mediator with 13+ years specializing in high-conflict divorce, custody, and complex asset division. Founder of West Coast Family Mediation, with a Master's in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine's Straus Institute and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst — uniquely equipped to address legal, financial, and interpersonal complexity within a single mediation process. This combined expertise allows for structured process design and durable agreements built to withstand real-life circumstances. A Certified Advanced Practitioner and recipient of the 2022 Academy of Professional Family Mediators Outstanding Professional Family Mediator Award.

West Coast Family Mediation - Founder/CEO/Mediator

Attorney, Mediator

Founder/CEO/Mediator, West Coast Family Mediation, 2021 - Present; Co-Owner/Mediator, San Diego Family Mediation Center, 2015 - 2021; Mediator, The Divorce Help Clinic, 2013 - 2015; Intern, Family Law Facilitators Office, 2013.

Has mediated over 750 family law cases since 2013, with primary focus on divorce, custody, parenting plan modifications, and complex asset division. As founder of West Coast Family Mediation, maintains an active California-wide practice serving couples navigating high-conflict and high-asset family transitions, including business owners, dual-income professionals, and families with significant real property or investment portfolios. Regularly handles cases involving closely held businesses, stock options, retirement account division, and real estate portfolios. Brings a rare combination of legal, financial, and dispute resolution credentials to each mediation. As a California-licensed attorney, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and holder of a Master's in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine's Straus Institute, able to address the legal framework, financial complexity, and interpersonal dynamics of a dispute within a single process — reducing the need for multiple professionals and keeping cases moving efficiently toward resolution. Also holds certification as a Senior Certified Online Family Mediator, supporting clients throughout California via a fully developed virtual mediation practice. Process design is a particular strength. Rather than treating mediation as a single negotiation session, structures each case with clear agendas, financial disclosure frameworks, and staged decision-making that allows parties to make informed choices without feeling rushed into crisis-driven outcomes. This approach produces agreements that hold up under real-life circumstances, reducing the likelihood of post-settlement disputes. Prior to founding West Coast Family Mediation, served as co-owner of San Diego Family Mediation Center from 2015 to 2021, and as a divorce mediator at The Divorce Help Clinic from 2013 to 2015. Earlier experience includes over 120 mediations and 400+ hours mediating civil cases at the Riverside Superior Court, as well as co-developing and implementing a juvenile mediation program at Riverside Juvenile Hall — work that established a foundational understanding of high-conflict interpersonal dynamics and structured conflict resolution under difficult circumstances. Has served as Vice President of the Academy of Professional Family Mediators and co-chaired the APFM annual conference for five years. Regularly speaks to mediation organizations and bar associations, including the Academy of Professional Family Mediators and Southern California Mediation Association, on advanced family mediation topics including premarital mediation and building a successful mediation practice. Recipient of the 2022 APFM Outstanding Professional Family Mediator Award — the field's premier peer recognition for excellence in practice. Named to San Diego Super Lawyers Rising Stars from 2020 through 2025. Contributing author to five published works on family conflict and divorce. Has been featured on the Women Winning Divorce and Divorce & Beyond podcasts, and in Authority Magazine, BizWomen, and SDVoyager for work in the field.

Mediation experience spans 13+ years and 750+ family law cases, with the majority involving divorce proceedings that include custody, parenting plan, and asset division components. Approximately 70% of cases involve divorce, 20% premarital mediation, and the remainder post-dissolution modifications and parenting plan-only matters. Cases are primarily conducted over multiple sessions, allowing parties adequate time for financial disclosure, informed decision-making, and negotiation of complex issues. Also experienced conducting single-session full-day mediations, typically in cases where both parties are represented by counsel. Maintains advanced professional training through a Master's in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine's Straus Institute, a Certified Advanced Practitioner designation from the Academy of Professional Family Mediators, and certification as a Senior Certified Online Family Mediator through Mediate.com. Continues ongoing professional development through State Bar of California programs, the Southern California Mediation Association, the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, and the San Diego Family Law Bar Association to stay current with evolving practice standards and techniques. Multi-party experience includes blended family mediations involving former spouses and their current partners, family mediations with adult children and parents navigating estate and care-related disputes, and pre-litigation matters involving probate issues with intersecting family law components. Has also mediated cases in which both parties are represented by attorneys, managing the additional dynamics that arise when counsel is present at the table. Brings a perspective to mediation that few neutrals can offer — having participated in the process from multiple vantage points. In addition to serving as a neutral mediator, regularly serves as a consulting attorney accompanying clients to mediation conducted by other neutrals. This firsthand experience on the advocate side of the table deepens the ability to anticipate party and counsel concerns, recognize when parties need additional support, and structure processes that work effectively for all participants. Having also navigated a significant professional transition through negotiation rather than litigation, brings a grounded understanding of what it means to be a party working through a high-stakes dispute — an experience that directly informs a more empathetic and effective approach as a neutral. Over 90% of cases reach full settlement through mediation, with the remainder reaching partial agreements or requiring further legal proceedings. This outcome reflects a process-driven approach that keeps parties engaged, informed, and moving toward resolution even in high-conflict circumstances.

Divorce and Dissolution: Division of community and separate property; spousal support and alimony negotiation; tax implications of asset division including capital gains, tax basis, and filing status transitions; debt allocation and responsibility; retirement account division including QDROs; real estate disposition or buyout; reimbursement claims. Complex Asset Issues: Closely held and family-owned businesses; professional practices including medical, dental, and law firm interests; stock options and equity compensation; cryptocurrency and digital assets; investment and brokerage accounts; real estate portfolios. Custody and Parenting: Legal and physical custody arrangements; detailed parenting plan development; holiday, vacation, and special occasion scheduling; child support calculations; parenting plans for special needs children and adult children with ongoing dependency needs; move-away considerations; co-parenting communication frameworks; cases involving mental health considerations and substance abuse, with active collaboration with treating therapists and mental health professionals where appropriate. High-Conflict Cases: Cases involving significant interpersonal conflict, power imbalances, and emotionally volatile dynamics. Conducts domestic violence screening on all cases using structured intake protocols; cases identified as involving domestic violence are referred out or mediated only with appropriate safety measures and safeguards in place. Experienced working alongside mental health professionals in cases where therapeutic support is concurrent with the mediation process. Post-Dissolution Modifications: Modification of existing parenting plans; child support modifications; spousal support modifications; relocation requests. Premarital Mediation: Asset protection agreements; support limitations or waivers; property agreements and separate property designations; debt allocation between spouses; business ownership protections; inheritance and estate planning considerations; blended family financial planning; child-related financial provisions from prior relationships; financial expectations, transparency, and planning including budgeting, spending, and savings frameworks. Professional Development in Progress: Currently completing collaborative divorce training, expanding the ability to serve clients and professional teams working within a collaborative practice model.

I approach each mediation recognizing that no two cases or families are alike, and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Before any session begins, I want to understand as much as possible about the dispute, the parties, and what they are hoping to achieve. I request briefs, financial documentation, and conduct individual calls or meetings with each party prior to mediation — not to prejudge the case, but to ensure that the process is designed around their specific needs, concerns, and goals from the start. When children are involved, I approach mediation from a child-first perspective, ensuring that every decision is evaluated through the lens of what is truly in the best interest of the children — not just what is convenient or expedient for the parents. I do not rigidly adhere to a single mediation style. While I deeply respect party autonomy and believe that parties should remain in control of their own decisions, I also recognize that there is a time and place for facilitative, evaluative, and transformative approaches depending on what the case and the parties require. What remains constant is my commitment to neutrality — I do not take sides, I do not make decisions for the parties, and I do not advocate for any particular outcome. At the same time, neutrality does not mean passivity. I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that parties are fully informed throughout the process. If a party is moving toward an agreement that is financially or legally disadvantageous — particularly when they do not have appropriate advisors in place — I will reality-test that decision, raise the relevant considerations, and ensure they are connected with the right professionals, whether that is an attorney, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, or another specialist. Parties deserve to make self-determined decisions, but those decisions should always be informed ones. I keep parties engaged and oriented throughout the process, ensuring they always understand where we are, what comes next, and what decisions remain ahead of them. I also actively collaborate with therapists, attorneys, and financial professionals when clients are open to it, recognizing that the most durable outcomes often come from a coordinated team approach rather than mediation in isolation. My goal in every case is not simply to reach an agreement — it is to reach an agreement that the parties can live with long after the process ends.

Highly proficient in technology across all aspects of mediation practice, with approximately 70% of mediations conducted online. Primarily uses Zoom for virtual mediation and is experienced with Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. Willing and able to conduct mediations on any platform requested by the parties or AAA, including GoToMeeting, WebEx, LoopUp, or other video conferencing tools. Holds certification as a Senior Certified Online Family Mediator through Mediate.com, reflecting formal training in the unique dynamics and best practices of virtual mediation beyond simple platform familiarity. Uses Family Law Software extensively to model child support, spousal support, and asset and debt division scenarios, allowing parties to see the financial implications of various settlement options in real time during mediation sessions. This capability is particularly valuable in high-asset cases where parties benefit from immediately understanding the financial impact of their decisions. Incorporates AI tools into practice for document drafting, legal and financial research, and practice management. Has established formal protocols for the ethical and privacy-compliant use of AI, including team coaching and implementation of safeguards to ensure that client confidentiality and data security are maintained at all times. Currently uses monday.com for case management and ShareFile for secure document exchange, reflecting a practice built around organized, efficient, and confidential case administration.

Chapman University School of Law (J.D. - 2013); Pepperdine University School of Law - Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (M.A., Dispute Resolution - 2013); Institute for Divorce Financial Analyst (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst - 2015); Brandeis University (B.A., Sociology, minors in Legal Studies, Social Justice & Social Policy - 2007).

Admitted to the Bar: California (2013). Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (2015).

Academy of Professional Family Mediators; Lawyers Club of San Diego; San Diego County Bar Association; San Diego Family Law Bar Association; Provisors; Entrepreneurs Organization Accelerator Program; Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts.

Publications: In Her Own Words: Resolving family conflicts is Amanda Singer’s mission, BizWomen, September 2025; Peaceful Parenting: Amanda Singer of West Coast Family Mediation on 5 Essential Tips for Successfully Sharing Custody, Authority Magazine, March 2025; How to be Happily Divorced, Contributing Author, February 2023, Grief & Fatigue: Families & The Pandemic: Stories of Struggle and Hope, July 2022, Contributing Author; Family Conflict During a Pandemic: Stories of Struggle and Hope, May 2021, Contributing Author; Speaking Engagements: Academy of Professional Family Mediators, Human Centered Innovation: How Technology Can Elevate Empathy and Equity for a Successful Mediation Practice, March 2026; Southern California Mediation Association, March 2026; XYPN, Why Premarital Agreements are an Important Part of the Financial Planning Process, September 2023; Lawyers Club of San Diego, Mediation Panel, September 2023; Southern California Mediation Association, The Art of Premarital and Marital mediation, May 2023; Academy of Professional Family Mediators, Premarital Mediation and Your Practice, March 2023; Eastern Alameda County Bar Association, Mediating Premarital Agreements, March 2023; Alameda Bar Association, Premarital Mediation, 2022; Podcasts: Uncoupled & Unfiltered, March 2026; Women Winning Divorce, March 2025; Beyond Divorce, December 2024; Sage Money Conversations, March 2022; Disrupting Divorce: Conversations for Women, October 2021.

Hourly Rate: $550.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $550.00/hr Cancellation: $500.00/Day Cancellation Period: 2 Days Comment: Currently offers flat fee packages for mediation clients. Also have a paralegal who's hourly rate is $250 who may help if appropriate. For cancellation policy does charge a flat rate if they cancel less than 48 hours (2 days) before.

English

United States of America

Del Mar, California