Mediator Resume

Family law mediator, collaborative law fellow and litigator with almost 30 years of experience in simple to complex marital estates and parenting time and decision making. Consistently utilizing dispute resolution tools in the varied settings to attempt to reach the best end for families as they write their divorce story.

Fritzshall & Pawlowski - Partner

Attorney, Mediator

Attorney/Mediator, Fritzshall & Pawlowski, 2004-Present; Attorney, Fritzshall Law Firm, 1997-2004.

Handled a wide variety of family law matters from very high net worth marital estates to very simple wage earners in court and through negotiations with counsel. Have working knowledge of complex income structures, partnerships, bonus systems, restricted stock units, pensions and retirement systems. Able to understand and analyze marital assets, debts and income succinctly and efficiently in order to focus issues for discussion and resolution. With guardian ad litem experience combined with almost 30 years of counseling families with kids through decision making and parenting schedules, applies a practical, gentle and respectful approach to the parents' goals and concerns keeping the best interest of the children in mind.

Mediated family law cases for nearly 30 years ranging from families without children earning modest incomes to very high net worth families with children of all ages. Resolved many cases involving children with special needs and the parenting dynamics that require a special understanding. Mediated pre-decree issues as well as post decree issues of all sorts.

Mediation works best when all parties are as comfortable as possible with the process. The first step is to discuss separately one on one each party's goals and concerns for the process. This helps to hopefully create safe space and some trust in the mediator. It also helps the mediator better understand the parties, their motivations and fears prior to engaging in any joint sessions. The goal is to create efficient productive joint sessions by navigating topics and discussions in the most effective order. Joint sessions are used in person or via zoom after the initial individual intakes to facilitate discussions and work towards resolutions. Sometimes those joint sessions are altogether and sometimes it works better if the parties are separate and the mediator shuttles between assisting the proposals. Ultimately, the goal is to reach a resolution on all issues by way of a memorandum of understanding ("MOU"). That MOU will be used as the framework for a long term solution, by way of a written agreement or court order.

Chicago Kent College of Law (J.D. - 1997); Illinois Wesleyan University (B.S., Political Science - 1993).

Chicago Bar Association; Collaborative Divorce Institute.

Hourly Rate: $425.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $425.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment:

English

United States of America

Chicago, Illinois