Mediator Resume

Utilization of over 33 years of judicial service as a probate and family court judge to make evaluative observations about the outstanding issues to assist parties in settlements, rather than solely facilitating traditional mediation.

Judge David G. Sacks (Ret.) Appropriate Dispute Resolution Services - Owner

Mediator; Judge (retired); Attorney

Owner, Judge David G. Sacks (Ret.) Appropriate Dispute Resolution Services, 2022 - Present; Member, Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners, 2023 - Present; ADR Affiliate, Boston Law Collaborative, 2022 - Present; Judge, Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, 1986 - 2020; Attorney, Ryan, Boudreau, Sacks & Kirkpatrick, 1982 - 1986; Attorney, Davenport, Millane & Connon, 1975 - 1982.

Have successful conducted many mediations and conciliations, as well as providing ex parte case evaluations. Former chair and now vice-chair of Massachusetts Trial Court Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution; member of Massachusetts Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Council. As a probate and family court judge for over 33 years, conducted thousands of pre-trial conferences and case management conference often assisting parties in reaching settlements.

When sitting as a judge, actively encouraged and assisted parties to settle cases. Since judicial retirement in 2020, has been engaged on a regular basis as a mediator, conciliator, arbitrator and case evaluator.

Property division (including stock options, family businesses, inheritances), alimony, custody/parenting plans, child support, guardianships, trusts, petitions to partition and other real estate issues, and will contests.

As is most convenient for the parties, either in-person or by Zoom. My practice is a brief joint welcoming session - without opening statements - followed by my meeting alone with both attorneys, and then individual caucusing with the parties and counsel. Case Overviews (up to counsel whether shared or confidential) received several days before the session are helpful and essential.

Regularly conducts Zoom sessions.

Suffolk University Law School (J.D. - 1974); The American University, School of Government and Public Administration (B.A., Political Science - 1971). Successfully completed 36 hour co-mediation and eight hour conciliation trainings.

Admitted to the Bar; Massachusetts (1974): U.S. District Court of Appeals: First Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court (1978).

Massachusetts, Hampden County, Boston, and Holyoke Bar Associations. Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Has been honored to receive three awards since leaving the Bench which in part recognized conflict resolution activities: 2021 - Gideon’s Trumpet Award from Senior Partners for Justice of the Volunteer Law Project of the Boston Bar Association; 2025 - President’s Award from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation; and 2026 - Access to Justice Pro Bono Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association.

Since 2020, has authored articles published in the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Section-Review on Permanency Mediation, Conflict Resolution History in Massachusetts, and Settlement Techniques (working title) to be published in Fall 2026. 2026, co-panelist at Family Law Dispute Resolution Roundtable and at a Mediation presentation at Western New England University Law School, both sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Council. Facilitator, bi-monthly Zoom programs by Senior Partners for Justice. Faculty co-chair of annual weeklong Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Family Law Trial Advocacy Workshop. Guest Speaker on Dispute Resolution at annual meeting of Massachusetts Chapter of Elder Law Attorneys. Guest Speaker, Hampden County Estate Planning Council.

Hourly Rate: $600.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $600.00/hr Cancellation: $1,200.00/hr Cancellation Period: 3 Days Comment: Regarding cancellation compensation, the two hour charge assumes the Case Overviews have not been analyzed or other than cursory preparation undertaken. There would only be travel charges if more than an hour drive. There is the possibility of lodging and related expenses (conference room) depending on locations. Happy to discuss this with counsel and should not be an impediment to going forward. The same “flexibility” which is a watchword of mediation equally applies to expenses.

English

United States of America

Holyoke, Massachusetts