MEDIATORS

Bio: Mr. Abell is an attorney who practices primarily in the Chattahoochee Circuit and other surrounding Circuits.  His practice consists of family law, probate guardianships and conservatorships, mental health law, Guardian ad Litem appointments, and civil and domestic mediations.  In addition, Mr. Abell serves as County Solicitor for the Stewart County Probate Court in Lumpkin, Georgia, prosecuting traffic citations for Stewart County.  Prior to becoming a practicing attorney, Mr. Abell worked in a corporate business environment for approximately twenty (20) years, being responsible for management, sales, marketing, and budgeting.  He had received his Civil and Domestic Mediation training from Henning Mediation and Arbitration, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.  He is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in Civil and Domestic (Family Law) mediations.

Hourly fee: $350.00

Available counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil and Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio:  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, I moved to Montgomery, AL to work as a Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for the Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama.  While in Montgomery, I also volunteered as a Public Relations coordinator for other local nonprofits and charitable organizations in the area.  In 2018, I moved to Columbus, GA to work as a Business Analyst for a merger and acquisitions company.  In my free time, I teach English as a foreign language to young children.  My dog and I are also a registered and certified therapy team through Pet Partners.  We visit many assisted living and retirement communities, along with schools and libraries around the West Georgia area.  I have dedicated myself personally and professionally to maintaining positive relationships.  Most importantly, I understand what it takes to mediate any issue in order to create a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties. 

Hourly Fee:  $150.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic

Bio:  Jeff Alperin’s professional experience is broad and varied enabling him to bring to every assignment:  the pragmatism of a business executive and entrepreneur, the technical expertise and analytical insight of a lawyer and law professor, and the heart of a lay leader of various non-profit organizations. He is a veteran executive with more than 30 years senior management experience in the online information and e-commerce industries. He co-founded and serves as CEO of cc:Clients, LLC, a content marketing company. Earlier, he was General Counsel and COO of Information America, a provider of online public records information to the legal and financial services markets, and president of Wine Access, a provider of e-mail newsletters and other electronic marketing tools for wine retailers. Previously, he was vice president of Security First Network Bank, the world’s first internet bank.  Mr. Alperin began his career as a corporate and technology attorney at Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy in Atlanta and has taught Contract Drafting and Deal Skills as an Adjunct Professor at Emory Law School. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Brown University, and his JD is from the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Alperin has served on the boards of a number of arts and social service non-profit organizations including Theatrical Outfit, Arts Festival of Atlanta, and Families First. He was the board chair of both Jewish Educational Loan Fund and of Jewish Family & Career Services.

Hourly Fee:  $200.00 (2 hour minimum)

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Clint Backstrom brings extensive experience across both the public and private sectors, having worked with organizations ranging from small businesses to large enterprises, as well as within state government. His broad exposure to a wide range of industries has reinforced one essential truth: no matter the setting, effective and affordable conflict resolution is critical to success.

Hourly Fee: $125/hr per party for 2 parties; $100/hr per party for 3 or more parties

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered: General Civil, Probate, Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio:  Arlene Baker is an attorney with more than 40 years of legal experience in a wide variety of civil matters.  She graduated from Howard University Law School in 1971.  She served as corporate counsel for Commercial Credit Company in Baltimore, therefore she has extensive experience in finance and business matters.  She worked as an attorney for the Small Business Administration in Washington, DC which included working with small businesses regarding formation, acquisition or finance, government contracts and business development.    She has been in private practice for more than 25 years.  During that time she has represented clients in thousands of civil cases including probate and estates, contracts, personal injury, construction law, business matters and debtors and creditors rights.  She is also certified in Domestic Mediation.  She has attended and represented clients in many mediation conferences, negotiated settlements and represented clients in civil trials.

Hourly fee:  $250.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Juvenile

Bio: Simeone Barnes is a Licensed Professional Counselor who holds over 15-years’ experience in the mental health field. She has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and has honed her experience in the public, private, and federal sectors. Simeone received her training from the Center for Dispute Solutions in Atlanta, Georgia and she has been a registered mediator since July 2019. Simeone holds a myriad of experience working with individuals from opposite sides of the aisle by helping them meet in the middle in order to facilitate them reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial to all involved.

Hourly Fee:  $100.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Dorothy Humphrey-Bass is a registered neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.  Her areas of expertise include general and juvenile mediations.  She has 24 years experience as an educator and is a certified paralegal. Dorothy is a graduate of Columbus State University and Atlanta Area Technical College.

Hourly fee:  $200.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Juvenile

Bio:    Dr. Venessa Battle is a certified General Civil Mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She received her training from Kennesaw State University's School of Conflict Management, Peace Building and Development. Dr. Battle is retired from AT&T, Lucent Technologies, & Avaya Communications where she was employed as an Operations Manager. This job entailed building relationships with clients, negotiating contracts, attending Union Grievances and managing over 150 Associates. She is currently the USA Chancellor for Kingdom Covenant Leadership Institute in the education field. She has several Doctoral Degrees in Leadership Management and Theology as well as she has been used to help in settling various types of disputes. Dr. Battle is mobile and will travel to different areas of the state.

Hourly fee:  $200.00

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio:     Tonya began her legal career in Georgia as a staff attorney for Atlanta Legal Aid in 2000, driven by a commitment to justice for all. Her 28+ years of legal experience includes mediating cases since the late 1990s, before making the Peach State her home. As mediation gained acceptance in Georgia, she seamlessly integrated her skills as both a practicing attorney and a mediator. Holding a JD (UT) and an LL.M. in Child and Family Law (Loyola University Chicago), her background includes serving as a Senior Staff Attorney for a Superior Court Judge and a Juvenile/Superior Court Guardian ad Litem (GAL). As an active member of the State Bar of Georgia, Charles Weltner Inn of Court alumnus, and Former President of the Cobb County Bar Association Family Law Section, Tonya mediates for Superior, Probate, and Magistrate Courts throughout Georgia, including Muscogee (Columbus), Cobb, Gwinnett, and Cherokee Counties. Equally comfortable with unrepresented parties and attorney cases, her mediation practice empowers parties to reach mutually beneficial resolutions tailored to their unique situations.

Hourly fee: $199.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, Probate

Bio:  Nicholas Bolden is a native of Mt. Vernon, Alabama. Nicholas earned a Doctorate degree in Public Administration and Policy from Auburn University (2014), a MPA degree from Troy University (2009), and a B.A. in Political Science from Auburn University (2006). His diverse professional background includes over ten years of research and practical experience in education and state and local government. His experience includes work in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, The City of Auburn Judicial division, and Auburn University Government and Economic Development Institute.

Currently, Nicholas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Administration at Columbus State University. His teaching and research includes state and local politics, public policy, constitutional law, and public human resource management. In addition to his professional career, Nicholas is active at his local church, and a member of the Auburn University Dean’s advisory council.

Hourly fee:  $175.00

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Stacy Bondurant is an experience attorney who has practiced civil and family law since 1997.  She graduated from Mercer University with a B.A. and from the Walter F. George Law School at Mercer University.  Ms. Bondurant is a member of the Georgia Bar Association and Georgia Association of Women Lawyers.  Trained and state certified as a mediator in both general civil and domestic arenas, she is also trained as a Collaborative Attorney.

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:   General Civil,  Domestic and Domestic Violence

Bio:   Mr. Bondy is an attorney who practices throughout north and central Georgia.  He graduated from the Emory University School of Law in 1984.  He has been practicing in the area of Probate and Estates for 40 years.  His primary focus has been on Estate Planning and Probate Administration.  However, he has also handled his fair share of Probate Litigation.  Mr. Bondy became a general civil Mediator in 2023.  Recently, he became one of the first people in Georgia to be registered in the new specialty of Probate Mediator.

Mr. Bondy also practices Corporate and Business Law and has spent the past 40 years representing business owners and their families in transaction matters and business litigation.

Hourly fee: $225

Available Counties: All

Registered: General Civil, Probate

Bio: In Divorce/Family, Civil/Business and Probate matters, “Bo” is very experienced helping individuals and organizations find agreement.  He has helped over 1000 clients in the past 5 years find a more cost-effective way to solve their dispute.  He practices across the State of Georgia and routinely works with clients in Columbus, Atlanta and Savannah.  As a Georgia Tech alumnus, he was trained in Labor Relations and furthered that education by becoming a large contracts negotiator with a Fortune 100 firm for over 30 years. He is a registered Neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

Hourly Fee: $300.00 for 2 participants, split equally between the two. More participants will be charged $125 per participant.  2 hour minimum to start mediation.

Available Counties: All

Registered: General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, Probate

Bio: Greg Brown is a dedicated mediator and the founder of GSB Mediation, LLC, based in LaGrange, Georgia. A proud husband and father of three, Greg graduated from LaGrange High School in 1989 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Presbyterian College in 1993. With over 20 years of professional experience spanning the Building Construction/Earth Moving Equipment, Building Products/Commercial Interiors, Healthcare, and HR Services industries, Greg brings a wealth of knowledge to his work. Additionally, he served five years in law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff in Troup County and a Police Officer for the City of LaGrange, GA. Greg’s passion for mediation was inspired by his personal experience navigating a challenging divorce. Determined to help others resolve disputes amicably, he pursued advanced training in conflict resolution, earning a Graduate Certificate from Cornell University, along with certifications in General/Civil Mediation and Domestic Relations Mediation from the University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University, respectively. He is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and will complete certifications in Probate and Specialized Domestic Violence Mediation by early 2025. Through GSB Mediation, Greg specializes in family law, including child custody cases, and serves West Georgia counties, including Troup, Coweta, Carroll, Spalding, and Muscogee. His approach is rooted in empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to helping individuals and families find peaceful resolutions.

Hourly Fee: $150.00 (two hour minimum)

Available Counties: All

Registered: General Civil, Domestic Relations

Bio: Dr. Marsha Brown has been in private practice in  Georgia for more than 10 years as a family counselor with specialized training in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotional Behavior  Therapy (REBT), and Person-Centered.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC). Also, she has experience in the education sector focusing on counseling of children and adolescents in a school setting, as well as an adjunct professor in higher education.  Dr. Brown is an expert with counseling clients with life issues such as: divorce, parenting after divorce, family dysfunction, relationship difficulties, partnership problems, and complex families.  She hosts several workshops on parenting/co-parenting, marriage, life issues, and conflict resolution.  In addition to her work experience, Dr. Brown is trained in the areas of Civil, Domestic, and Juvenile Delinquency Mediation resulting in a certification as a Court Mediator for the State of Georgia.  Her training includes assisting parties of thinking outside the box with creating positive, complete, equitable, enduring and workable solutions to their conflicts.  Dr. Brown’s counseling and crises expertise aids her in helping parties see the issues with developing positive and creative ways of reaching an agreement using a non-threatening and ethical environment with competence and compassion.

Hourly fee: $200.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, Juvenile and Probate

Bio: Shawanda Brown is a tenacious attorney-mediator who focuses on domestic and business disputes.  Attorney Brown received her Juris Doctor degree from University of Georgia and a Master’s in Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.  Attorney Brown spent several years working as a public defender in the City of Atlanta, DeKalb and Fulton Counties, respectively.  Attorney Brown also has also worked as a civil attorney specializing in Debt Collections. As a managing partner at Smith & Brown, LLC, Attorney Brown specializes in all Criminal matters ranging from DUI's to murder; and family law matters.  Attorney Brown is a member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys and the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. In her leisure, Attorney Brown enjoys reading, travelling, spending time with family, and volunteering.

Hourly Fee: $200.00

Available Counties: All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic

Bio: Mr. Brown is retired Clayton County (GA) Magistrate Judge. He served in this capacity for 15 years.  He has been a licensed (GA) attorney for 36 years.  He has a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Public Administration from Georgia State University and a Law Degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law.  He has also served as a Clayton County Assistant District Attorney and City of Atlanta Assistant Public Defender.

Hourly Fee: $200.00

Available Counties: All

Registered: General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Dependency and Arbitration

Bio:  Leslie L. Cohn has been a practicing attorney for over 31 years.  A major portion of Mr. Cohn’s practice has been in the field of family law, to include, but not limited to, divorces and custody.  Mr. Cohn has completed training by Resolve, Inc. on Mediation Skills for Success as well as the training conducted by the Collaborative Law Institute entitled Collaborative Family Law.  This training was approved by the Professionals in Dispute Resolution (SPIDR).  He is a registered mediator with the Office of Dispute Resolution.

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic and Domestic Violence

Bio:  John J. Coley, or “Joe” as his friends know him, is a lifelong resident of Columbus, Georgia.  Joe completed his undergraduate degree (B.S.) at Columbus College in 1985 majoring in Criminal Justice.  Joe continued his education earning two additional degrees, a Masters Degree in Education (MEd) in 1995, specializing in educational psychology and a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA) in 1996, with a specialization in justice administration from Columbus State University.  Mr. Coley is a graduate of The Justice Center of Atlanta, Georgia and is a registered Neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.  Joe works as a legal and political researcher for former Columbus, Georgia Mayor and Attorney Bob Poydasheff and he has served on the Mayors Committee for the Disabled.  In addition, with Mayor Poydasheff, he co-instructs a legal Para-professional course at the Columbus State University Continuing Education Center.  Joe is a veteran of the United States Army and is Honorably Discharged.  Mr. Coley is a former law enforcement officer and has served as a Columbus Police Officer, a Chattahoochee County Deputy Sheriff and a Columbus Metropolitan Airport Police Officer.  Joe has served on a number of Muscogee County School Districts committees and is the District 5 citizens roundtable representative.  Coley is a member and very in the National Eagle Scout Association.  Mr. Coley is, and has been very active in the Chattahoochee Council Boy Scouts of America (former board member) as a District Commissioner.  He was a founding board member of The Better Way Foundation, which is a local non-profit working to assist individuals and families dealing with HIV.  Coley is a current board member of the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum and is a contributing writer for Civil War Times Magazine.   Joe is a founding member of Chaplain Paul Voorhees Ministries, Inc. and volunteers a significant amount of time helping with community organizations.  He is one of the hosts of the Ranger Joe’s God and Country Radio show, which he hosts live, two days a week.  Joe is married to the former Patricia Tompkins and they have 4 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

Hourly fee:  $200.00 (2 hour minimum and 1 hr preparation fee)

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil and Domestic, Domestic Violence and Juvenile

Bio: Bio: Rita brings a wealth of experience to each mediation with over twenty years legal experience having practiced family, juvenile, probate, and bankruptcy law as well as supervising and serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General to the Georgia Office of Child Support Services.  Rita has developed the knowledge and skills to assist parties in conflict reach reasonable client-focused solutions. Graduate of UWG BA in Criminal Justice; JD – Georgia State University.

Hourly fee: $250.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, Dependency, Delinquency and Probate

Bio: Mrs. Collins holds a master’s degree and received training at Henning Mediation and Arbitration Services Inc. She has over 15 years of experience in executive administration to include areas of human resources, recruiting, business compliance, and workers compensation. She served as a Judge for Brenau University International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournaments. As well as a Judge for Georgia State University at the Peacemaking Tournament. She served as an Adjunct Professor for ITT Tech for over 2 years. In the past several years her focus has been a holistic approach to mediating cases of the LQBQ community, diversity cases to include the multicultural environment as a mediator her skills of collective bargaining are effective to negotiate and settle disputes such as real estate, landlord-tenant disputes, work place disputes, and small claims. Additionally, she has over five years of experience in business of engineering consulting which brings her strong analytical components to include financial budgets, contract negotiation, vender contracts, multi-state licensing of engineers and firms, compliance issues, logistics of projects and personnel to her mediation skills.

Hourly Fee: 230.00 per hr., with a 2 hr. minimum (travel cost expenses if applicable) with a 48 hour cancellation fee of one hour of the mediators rate to be paid by the conflict party without 48 hour notice.

Available: All counties; nights and weekends including online mediation.

Registered: General Civil and Domestic

Bio:  Stephanie D. Dixon received her Bachelor in Social Work and Certificate in Gerontology at Georgia State University.  She received her Juris Doctor from Howard University School Law in Washington, D. C.  She has been private practice for more than 13 years.  As an attorney, she has represented clients in cases including probate, family law, estate planning, criminal, personal injury, and business matters.  Ms. Dixon received mediation and arbitration training from the Justice Center of Atlanta and Henning Mediation  and Arbitration, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.  She is a registered Mediator and Arbitrator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in Civil and Domestic (Family Law) mediations and Arbitration.  Ms. Dixon has experience in both court-ordered and private mediations both as an attorney representing clients and as a mediator.

Hourly fee:  $250.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic and Arbitration

Bio: Ms. Dudley is a registered general civil and domestic relations mediator who additionally has domestic violence training. She has been a successful business owner in Columbus, GA in the insurance field for nearly three decades.  She currently holds Property and Casualty and Life insurance licenses in both Georgia and Alabama.  She is a graduate of Columbus State University and completed training in both Civil and Domestic Mediation from Kennesaw State University's School of Conflict Management, Peace Building and Development, as well as Domestic Violence training from Resolve to Solve in Cumming, Georgia.

Hourly fee:  $200.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence and Probate

Bio:     Rick spent the first six (6) years of practice as an active duty U.S. Army JAG Officer, prosecuting, defending, physical evaluation board and legal assistance officer with another seven (7) years reserve duty as a prosecutor.  Admitted to the Army Court of Military review and COMA.  In 1984, began civil trial practice with Page, Scrantom, assisting in medical malpractice, various wrongful death and insurance defense, products liability as plaintiff and defendant, along with child support recovery and DFACS counsel in Juvenile Court.  From 1988 to the present, practice extensively in debt collection, creditor rights, landlord – tenant disputes, small business formation and representation; complex civil and bankruptcy litigation, service as counsel to various Chapter 7 trustees; Estate litigation, service as guardian ad litem.  Participated in100’s of Court appearances and trials, appeals to Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Courts in Alabama and Georgia; trials and appeals in bankruptcy and U.S. District Court, 11^th Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court.  Admitted to the U.S. Tax Court.  Since 2015, served as Pro Hac Judge in Municipal Court of Columbus and associate Magistrate Court judge in Muscogee County on as needed basis.

Hourly fee:  $250.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Kimberly Gill has received a Masters Degree from Auburn University in Public Administration and is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy with an emphasis in public law.  She is employed by the Department of Political Science at Auburn University as a research and teaching assistant.  She received her mediation training through Resolution Resources Corporation and Atlanta Divorce Mediators, Inc.

Hourly fee:  $150.00 (2 hour minimum)

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil and Limited Domestic and Domestic Violence

Bio: Michelle Hanley, BSN, RN, is a Georgia Registered Civil Mediator. With a professional background in nursing, public health, clinical care, and education, she brings strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills to the mediation process. Michelle completed her civil mediation training through Kennesaw State University and is committed to providing impartial, confidential, and efficient mediation services throughout Georgia, both in person and virtually.

Hourly Fee: $250.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil

Bio:  Mr. Harp is Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (www.nblsc.us ).  He concentrates his law practice in personal injury cases in particularly under the F.E.L.A., representing railroad families.  He is registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and received his mediation training from the University of Georgia.  He has participated in trials in more than five states and is a member of the bars of Alabama and Georgia.  He has represented well over a thousand families in his thirty plus year career.  He served as National President for the Marine Corps. Reserve Officers Association.  He has several articles published nationally on the subject of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.

Hourly fee:  $400.00 (3 hour minimum) plus $300 administrative fee

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Ella Hendrix is a licensed attorney who has appeared before Judges in several circuits throughout the state. She primarily focuses on domestic issues regarding divorce, modification and contempt. She is also well versed in guardianship and municipal law. Ms. Hendrix offers only virtual mediations as a convenience to all participants. 

Hourly Fee:  $150.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic

Bio:  Ms. Hix is an attorney who practices family and civil law in our local and nearby judicial circuits and has done so for more than 30 years. Although she specializes in family law including cases with complex financial and custody issues, she also has significant experience in the civil and business litigation. Ms. Hix is the past president of the Columbus Bar Association, and she served for 14 years as an elected member of the State Bar of Georgia, Board of Governors. She currently serves on several statewide State Bar committees and on several local committees to include the House of T.I.M.E.

Ms. Hix is certified to serve as a domestic and civil mediator and arbitrator.

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, DV, Arbitration

Bio:Ms. Huffstutler is a practicing attorney in Alabama with a concentration in divorce, custody and juvenile law.  Her practice also extends to probating estates, guardianships and conservatorships. She is an Alabama certified Guardian ad Litem.  Her prior work experience included insurance and financial products.  Ms. Huffstutler is a registered mediator with Alabama Dispute Resolution and has been mediating since 2014.  She recently became a registered neutral in Georgia.

Hourly fee - $200.00

Available counties – ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic

Bio:  Michele Ivey is an attorney who has been licensed to practice law in Georgia since 1998.  Her practice has consisted of worker’s compensation law and insurance and medIcal malpractice litigation, as well as criminal and domestic cases.  She has handled cases on appeal in the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.  Additionally, Ms. Ivey has worked in Juvenile Court and Juvenile Drug Court.  She also works as an appointed Guardian Ad Litem in courts in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.  Ms. Ivey is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic

Bio: With a Master’s Degree in Bioethics from Columbia University and an MBA, Mrs. Jarrard brings a well-rounded perspective to general civil mediation and arbitration. Her background as a Forensic Analyst and Mediator has equipped her with critical skills in conflict resolution, ethical analysis, and compliance, making her adept at handling complex civil disputes. Mrs. Jarrard’s experience in both governmental audits and non-profit sectors has given her insight into regulatory frameworks and organizational dynamics, which are essential for mediating diverse cases. As an Assistant Professor of Business, she emphasized ethical leadership and decision-making, skills she now applies to facilitate fair and balanced resolutions in civil matters. Mrs. Jarrard’s ability to navigate nuanced ethical and legal issues ensures that all parties involved receive thoughtful, impartial mediation and arbitration services

Hourly Fee: $250.00 (1 hour minimum). Cancellations within 48 hours of the mediation are subject to a 1-hour ($250) fee to the canceling party and counsel.

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Arbitration

Bio:  Dynamic, impartial and trustworthy mediator with excellent communication skills with previous work and professional training experience.  I’m responsible for helping two parties arrive at a mutually agreeable solution to a problem.  I give clients an opportunity to represent their own interests and share their perspectives.  My offerings include general mediation for a broad range of clients and their issues including commercial, Land Lord tenant, discrimination, education, employment, environment, government, healthcare, intellectual property, personal injury, probate, real estate, construction, small claims and worker’s compensation.

Hourly fee:  $150.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence and Juvenil

Bio: Born at City-County Hospital in LaGrange, Georgia I have lived all my life in Troup County other than my time in college, graduate school, law school, and my four years in the Air Force. Upon graduation from Emory School of Law, I returned to Troup County where I was in private practice for thirty-seven years, serving as the part-time juvenile court judge for the last twenty-seven years, before going full-time with the judgeship on January 1, 2016. I retired from the full-time bench effective December 1, 2024, and was then appointed Senior Judge by the Governor effective January 1, 2025. In addition to practicing family law, I was able to build a substantial real estate practice and practiced in other areas of law including banking, construction, probate litigation, contract, and employment. In addition to my public service as juvenile judge I served on the Georgia Commission on Family Violence from 2006 until 2010, including serving as Chair from 2009 until 2010, and the Georgia Child Support Commission from 2007 until present, including serving as Chair from 2016 until present. After thirty-seven years practicing law and thirty-five years on the bench, with twenty-five of those years overlapping, I am excited about assisting parties in all kinds of cases but particularly in divorce and custody cases resolve their differences themselves without entrusting their futures to a great but imperfect judicial system.

Hourly Fee: $350.00 (two hour minimum) $250 Administrative fee

Available Counties: All

Registered: General Civil, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence, Probate

Bio:    I was born and raised in West Point, GA. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. degree in Agriculture and obtained my law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 1979. After law school I moved to LaGrange and hung out my shingle to practice law. I tried my first jury trial a month after I was sworn in and spent my 28 years of private practice in the courtroom trying almost every kind of case imaginable. I was appointed to the Superior Court bench in the Coweta Judicial Circuit in 2007 and served 12 years as a Superior Court Judge. I took Senior status when I retired in 2019. I have a small farm in Pine Mountain, GA where I grow, bale and sell Russell Bermuda Grass hay. I enjoy mediating cases and any questions you may have about my me or my mediation practice can be answered by visiting my website at www.kirbymediation.com.

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:All

Registered:  Arbitration, General Civil, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence

Bio:  Jillian Lakes has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Columbus State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Columbus State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from Auburn University.  She received her mediation training through The New DMA in Macon, GA, and is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

Originally from Shiloh, GA, Jillian has deep roots in Georgia.  For the majority of her professional life, she has worked in the corporate business arena in Columbus.  She rose in the ranks before settling into human resources where she spent most of her career as a Director of Human Resources.  During her career she has dealt with employment issues including EEO matters, discrimination and harassment claims, wrongful termination, wage and fair labor disputes, garnishments, and unemployment claims.  She worked in tandem with corporate legal counsel on such matters, which included participating in multiple mediations as the company representative.  In addition to her employment and payroll knowledge, she also administered worker’s compensation claims and has been involved with closing numerous settlements arising from related disputes.

Hourly fee:  $200.00 (2 hour minimum)

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Thomas Lakes is an attorney and a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in General Civil and Probate mediation.  He is a member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia and the Alabama State Bar.  In private practice he has handled a variety of civil matters, including probate and personal injury cases.  Throughout his career, Thomas has given much of his time serving the public including many local and statewide boards and committees. 

Hourly Fee: $350.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Probate

Bio:  Ms. Lewis is a smart, skilled mediator adept at crafting realistic and sustainable results while always maintaining a calm and balanced demeanor. Her ability to make a genuine connection with everyone is one of her greatest strengths. She uses an inclusive and collaborative style in communicating with all parties complex subject matters with clarity and increasing engagement for shared positive outcomes. With 12-years of Sales experience; 3-years as an Adjunct Professor teaching Sales; and 2-years as a successful business owner of an Amazon Delivery Service business…Ms. Lewis has developed subject matter expertise in business and sales - negotiating complex business contracts, and in Human Resources - resolving employment discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination disputes. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and has her Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Lewis is a graduate of the Justice Center of Atlanta mediation training program and a registered Neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

Hourly fee:  $175.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Elizabeth W. (Betsy) McBride obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University in 1985 and later her Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School in 1988.  She began as a law clerk with Jones, Cork and Miller in Macon, Georgia concentrating in civil litigation.  In 1991 she established her own law firm in Columbus, Georgia concentrating on domestic relations and bankruptcy law.  She is an active litigator in all types of custody, divorce, adoption and consumer bankruptcy cases.  Ms. McBride is admitted to practice in all State, Superior and Appeals  Courts in Georgia as well as the United States (Federal) District Courts for the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia.  She is a certified and court registered Civil and Domestic Relations mediator as well as a Court appointed Guardian Ad Litem throughout  the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit.  She is a founding member of the Columbus Association of Women Lawyers which later became the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Columbus Bar Association and the Columbus American Inn of Court at the Barrister level.

Hourly fee:  $250.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil and Domestic

Bio:  A registered civil mediator in Georgia, Stan received his neutral training at Henning Mediation & Arbitration. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia (BBA ’94; JD ’97), and has practiced law for 28 years—26 of which have been in his native Columbus, GA. His primary focus has been civil litigation, and he has handled vastly diverse matters ranging from the simplest auto wrecks and commercial disputes to the most complex litigation under statutes like the state and federal Anti-Racketeering (“RICO”) laws. Stan has represented physically and financially injured individuals, class action plaintiffs, professionals, businesses, and entrepreneurs. He also spent time in a communications strategy role for a FORTUNE 500 corporation (while maintaining his law practice). Stan brings to civil mediation passion, attention to detail, and a wholehearted commitment to understanding the parties, the law, and the facts in each case.

Stan is prepared to mediate virtually any civil case, including:

• Personal Injury—minor to catastrophic—and Wrongful Death under any fact pattern or cause of action

• Fraud
• Real estate disputes (sales process, contractual)
• Consumer law cases
• Insurance coverage, bad faith and other direct suits against life, health, and disability insurers
• Business-to-Business litigation (statutory, payment issues, tortious interference, contract issues, territorial disputes, etc.)
• Premises Liability
• Federal Tort Claims Act cases
• Professional Negligence
• Product Liability
• RICO litigation
• Fair Credit Reporting Act and other communications torts
• Financial services cases
• Mass-tort- and class-action-related cases (including opt-outs)

Hourly fee:  $300.00 (2 hour minimum)

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Passionate about building bridges out of conflict, I’m a Georgia mediator certified in Civil and Domestic mediation.  During my 10 years in the insurance industry, I handled more than 7,000 unique claims.  I bring to the table a wealth of experience in investigating, negotiating, and settling conflicts using the most ethical, professional and productive processes.   As your mediator, I begin by establishing a neutral forum where we can approach the issues in a judgement-free environment.  With willingness to approach the issues, we can facilitate a dialogue, uncover interests, and begin to establish an agenda.

Hourly fee:  $200.00

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil and Domestic Violence

Bio:  Jeff Ollman is a registered Neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution and was trained by Henning Mediation and Arbitration Services (General Civil and Domestic Relations) and The New DMA (Domestic Violence).  He received his BBA degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta and majored in Business Management.  Working in both field and corporate locations, his extensive experience has allowed him to take a practical approach to help resolve various complex and diverse issues in a collaborative manner with the parties involved.  These situations include issues with third party contracts, employee disputes, labor and employment, and leases.  Jeff’s experience has allowed him to facilitate resolutions for both Pro Se (self-represented) parties and Attorney represented parties.  He volunteers for the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah, Ga for both Civil and Domestic Mediations as well as the Legitimation Station program at the Columbus ODR which provides him opportunities of the use of the Child Support Worksheet, Parenting Plans, etc. 

Hourly Fee: $150.00

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio:Kimberly Pennamon is an experienced educator and administrator.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Educational Psychology and Measurement and near completion of requirements for a doctorate in Educational Leadership. She has received training in basic mediation, advanced mediation, cross cultural mediation, advanced facilitation, civil mediation and arbitration. Her experience with mediation began over 20 years ago.

Hourly fee:  $150.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil and Arbitration

Bio:  Shannon has over 30 years of conflict resolution in various corporate and private settings.  She has worked for decades with companies such as Microsoft, Whirlpool, Samsung, etc.  She has developed, managed and led hundreds of team members and was responsible for building their company employee conflict resolution platforms.  She is currently a Georgia civil and domestic mediator with Pass Mediation as well as the Director of Business and Marketing with On Call Staffing.  She graduated from the University of Central Florida with honors and specialized in Psychology and Business Management. 

Hourly fee:  $150.00/hour

Available Counties: All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic

Bio:  M. Scott Phillips obtained his Bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of Georgie in 1991 and subsequently graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law (1994).  He practiced law for several years in the State of Arkansas with the law firm of Goodwin, Moore, Colbert & Broadway before moving to Columbus in August 1997.  Mr. Phillips has been practicing law for over 20 years in both Georgia and Alabama where his practice focuses on divorce, child custody, and adoption.  He also serves as a Guardian Ad Litem in custody-related matters.

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil and Domestic

I am a registered neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. I received general mediation training and certification from The New DMA in Macon, Georgia, and probate training and certification from Kennesaw State University. I have a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Troy University and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Shorter University.  I have over 30 years experience in the private, state and federal sectors. My experience includes administrative, management and customer-facing support where I interacted with customers and employees at all levels of business. 

Hourly fee: $200/hour

Available Counties: All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, Probate

Bio:  Robert S. Poydasheff is a native of Columbus, Georgia, where he graduated high school from Brookstone School.  He earned his Political Science Degree from the Citadel in 1983 and immediately entered the University Of Georgias Lumpkin School Of Law, where in 1986 he earned his Juris Doctor.

Rob began his legal career as a JAG officer in the United States Army, where he ultimately held various positions from Family Law Officer to Trial Defense Services (criminal defense).

Following his service in the United States Army, Rob returned to Columbus where he worked for 19 plus years as a commercial lender, lending and underwriting complex commercial transactions.  In addition, he founded and managed a commercial leasing group for a regional banking group, founded and managed the commercial mortgage and securitization desk and was a Senior Vice President Risk Manager. He has a deep knowledge in all banking matters including complex loan workouts.

Rob has entertainment law experience through his role as general counsel for Fun Academy Media Group, LTD and Fun Academy Studios, inc.  He is well versed in writing and negotiating contracts with actors and distributers both domestic and foreign, SAG-AFRA, and is extremely knowledgeable proficient in all aspects of the movie industry.

Rob has an extensive background in contract drafting and negotiations, including construction contracts. In addition, he is experienced in adoption law wills, guardianships, and probate matters as well as all family law matters

Rob currently is serving as a Judge Pro Tem in the Muscogee County, Georgia Juvenile Court

Areas of Mediation Practice

Entertainment Law

Corporate Law and Commercial Transactions

Commercial Real Estate

Probate

Wills

Guardianship

Corporate Law

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Transactions

Entertainment Law

Hourly Fee:  $350.00

Available Counties: All

Registered:  General Civil

Bio: Keith Pittman is a general civil mediator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Keith is a native of Columbus who has practiced law in Muscogee and other Georgia counties for more than 30 years.  After careers as an educator and in the hospitality industry, he attended University of Georgia School of Law, graduating Order of the Coif in 1993. Keith first practiced with Columbus and Atlanta law firms where he represented clients on fraud, products liability, malpractice and other complex cases. In 2000, he moved his practice to commercial law firms where, for more than fifteen years, he primarily represented clients in arbitrations and mediations, class actions, commercial lawsuits, construction disputes and other business matters. For the past eight years, Keith has continued to provide legal services on issues involving business entity, fiduciary duty and other commercial matters, as well as cases involving premises liability, products liability and professional malpractice. Keith has also been  an Adjunct Professor – first at University of Georgia School of Law (2005-2011) and subsequently at Georgia State University College of Law (2012-2017)– where he taught business litigation, economic torts and product liability seminars.

Hourly fee: $350.00 (3 hour minimum) plus $200 administrative fee

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil

Bio: Deborah Reddick has been a trained and certified mediator since 2016. She received her initial and advanced training at the Justice Center of Atlanta and Henning Mediation Services. Deborah is registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in the General Civil, Domestic and Specialized Domestic Violence categories.  In addition to offering private mediation services, Deborah is an active roster member of several local ADR programs including The 6th District, Cobb, Clayton and Fulton Counties.  As of spring, 2022 she has facilitated well over 1,500 mediation sessions including personal injury, probate landlord/tenant, divorce, child custody/support and business disputes. In early 2020, Deborah expanded her practice to include virtual online mediation services. To date, she has successfully facilitated over 500 online mediation sessions. Rates available: Hourly, half day or full day.

Deborah can provide a Spanish, French or Vietnamese interpreter at no additional cost for private cases that are booked for four hours or more.

Hourly Fee:  $200/hour; $700 for ½ day (4 hours); $1100 for full day (8 hours)

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic and Domestic Violence

Bio:  John Roper is a Georgia attorney whose work primarily focuses remedies for violation of federal consumer protection statutes and narrowly defined employment matters, particularly recovering unpaid overtime and addressing gender discrimination in the workplace.  His past experience also includes divorce and custody cases, injury cases contract disputes.  A 1969 graduate of Georgia Southern College with graduate business studies at the University of Georgia, Mr. Roper then received a juris doctor degree from the Atlanta Law School and licensed in 1983. Mr. Roper has tried numerous cases in state and federal courts of several states.  He was trained at Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia and is a registered civil mediator.  Mr. Roper’s areas of experience include debt collection defense and Plaintiff’s employment discrimination (particularly disparate treatment, sexual harassment, coercion and abuse).  Mr. Roper’s professional activities include the Columbus Bar Association and the the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the American Trial Lawyer’s Association.  He served as district scouting chairman for two years and President of the Columbus State University Athletic Hall of Fame for ten years.   

Hourly fee:  $250.00 two hour minimum

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Melissa Sanford is an experienced family-law attorney who has practiced for over 25 years. She graduated from Columbia University in New York with a B.A., and from Villanova University School of Law in Pennsylvania.  Ms. Sanford is a solo practitioner and a member of the Georgia Bar Association. She has handled many high-conflict and high-asset divorce cases, and has worked to settle many of these cases, allowing parties to avoid the courtroom.

Hourly fee:  $200.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:   General Civil,  Domestic and Domestic Violence

Bio:  Charlotte Santana is a state registered professional who has met the qualifications required by the State of Georgia as a General Civil Neutral, Divorce Mediator and has specialized certification in Domestic Violence Mediation.

Hourly fee:  $150.00 (two hour minimum plus travel expenses if applicable)

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence and Juvenile

Bio: Dr. Alissa Sasser received her undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education from Brewton-Parker College in 2000 and obtained her doctoral degree from Georgia Southern University in 2018. During her tenure as a public educator, Dr. Sasser has served as a teacher, as well as a building and district administrator, before serving rural districts across the state in her current role as a Partnerships Specialist with the Georgia Department of Education’s Office of Rural Education and Innovation.

Hourly Fee: $150.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil Mediation

Bio:  Carter Schondelmayer has focused on employment law since graduating from the University of Georgia Law School in 1998.  As a trial lawyer she has litigated a wide variety of civil litigation claims and has provided assistance to clients in the investigative processes of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal and State Departments of Labor, The Office of Federal Contractor Compliance and the Office of Civil Rights.  Her experience in trial and appellate work extends through the counties under the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, all State and Federal Courts, including the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  Although she has dealt primarily with employment matters, she also has significant experience in the litigation of contested estates and probate matters.  She has been an active participant in a number of mediations to resolve a variety of claims.

Hourly fee:  $400.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio: Steve Shewmaker is the founding partner of Shewmaker & Lewis in Atlanta, Georgia. Steve is a native of the Southeast, growing up in Texas and Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama on cross country and Army ROTC scholarships and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1990. Steve was commissioned as an Army Officer in 1990. Steve served as an Infantry Officer in the 25th Infantry Division and later served in Military Intelligence assignments at Fort Hood, Texas and in the Middle East. Steve served his last eleven years in the Army as a Judge Advocate, deploying twice. He retired from the Army in 2018.

In 2005, Steve earned his law degree from the Georgia State University College of Law where he graduated with honors. Steve and his wife, Patty, formed Shewmaker & Shewmaker in 2009, where they represent clients in domestic, criminal, and military justice matters. In 2019, Shewmaker & Shewmaker was renamed Shewmaker & Lewis.

Steve is admitted to practice with the State Bar of Georgia, the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, and he is admitted to practice in the military trial courts (worldwide) as well as the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals.

Steve and Patty have been married for 24 years. They have one daughter, Molly, who is now 16, and two dogs, Elsa a black lab and Cookie a German Shorthaired Pointer, and Parcey an Andalusian horse. Steve once broke into a woman’s prison, and another time he found $20,000 in his attic.

Hourly Fee: $325.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic and Domestic Violence

Bio:  Mr. Sikes is a native Georgian and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and Judge Advocate (JAG Officer) who has been licensed to practice for over 18 years.  His primary practice area is Georgia domestic (family) law cases, with specialization in military divorce matters.  In addition, he handles personal injury and criminal law matters and operates his private practice in Columbus.  Mr. Sikes’ professional affiliations include membership in the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the Columbus Bar Association, board member with the Chattahoochee Family Law Bar, University of North Georgia Corps Advisory Council, University of North Georgia Alumni Association, Military Officers Association of America, among others.  He received the coveted Columbus Ledger-Enquirer’s Readers Choice Award for Favorite Attorney in 2014.  Mr. Sikes and his wife, Jenny, reside in Midland, Georgia with their two children. 

Hourly fee:  $350.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Arbitration

Bio: Dr. Sybil M Sloan is a graduate of the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2018 and a seasoned mediator serving North Carolina (2013) and Alabama since (2021). With a strong legal foundation and a passion for justice, she has guided individuals and organizations toward resolution through fairness, empathy, and integrity. As a member of the EROC Group, Dr. Sloan collaborates with professionals dedicated to ethical leadership and community advancement. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to peacebuilding, empowerment, and transformative service across both legal and faith-based arenas.

Hourly fee: $175.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil and Domestic

Bio: Dr. Sybil M Sloan is a graduate of the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2018 and a seasoned mediator serving North Carolina (2013) and Alabama since (2021). With a strong legal foundation and a passion for justice, she has guided individuals and organizations toward resolution through fairness, empathy, and integrity. As a member of the EROC Group, Dr. Sloan collaborates with professionals dedicated to ethical leadership and community advancement. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to peacebuilding, empowerment, and transformative service across both legal and faith-based arenas.

Hourly fee: $175.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil and Domestic

Bio:  Mr. Smith began practicing law with Page, Scrantom in 1985 and continued with that firm for 14 years.  His practice was general civil litigation including personal injury, insurance defense, commercial litigation and creditor’s rights/bankruptcy litigation.  He left  Page, Scrantom in Jan. 1988 to join the General Counsel’s Office of Synovus Financial Corp. as Deputy General Counsel.  At Synovus he was in charge of managing all of Synovus’ litigation its commercial and consumer forms library, credit card issues, contract negotiation and regulatory compliance.  He left Synovus and opened his own law office here in Columbus in February, 2015.  His practice is focused upon general civil and commercial litigation, consumer bankruptcy, mediation and arbitration.

Hourly fee:  $300.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered: General Civil, Juvenile and Arbitration

Bio:  I am a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia Southern University , and I work as a full-time mediator. I hold certifications in General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence, and Probate Mediation, and have been actively mediating with the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit since July 2024.  Through my work experience, I have honed my skills in conflict resolution, communication, and emotional intelligence. I am dedicated to helping individuals resolve disputes constructively.

Hourly fee: $250.00

Available Counties: ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence and Probate

Bio:  Tim is an attorney in Columbus, Georgia.  His law practice focuses primarily upon family law issues and civil litigation.  Tim joined the firm now known as Harp, Poydasheff, Post & Sowers, LLC in 2011.  Tim received his mediation training from Bob Berlin and Carolyn Raines with The New DMA, Inc.

Hourly Fee:  $350.00

Available Counties: All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence and Juvenile

Bio: Tina G. Stanford is an attorney licensed to practice law in Georgia since 1980 and also is a registered mediator for both general civil mediation and family law mediation. Attorney Stanford obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management from Georgia College and State University, her Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Georgia, and her Juris Doctor Degree from Mercer University. Attorney Stanford graduated with honors.

          Attorney Stanford has extensive experience in family law matters, including child custody and domestic violence. Attorney Stanford served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in both the Atlanta Judicial Circuit and the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Attorney Stanford has had two part-time judgeships in her career.

          Attorney Stanford is President of the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and is active in the Columbus Bar Association and the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Family Law Bar Association.

          Attorney Stanford is currently a sole practitioner in her own law and mediation practice.

Hourly Fee:  $200.00

Available Counties: All

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio:  Ms. Stephens is an attorney who practices primarily in the Chattahoochee and Coweta Judicial Circuits, along with other surrounding Circuits. My practice primarily consists of family law, child welfare, will probates, and civil and domestic mediations.  In addition, I serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General for DFCS in the Chattahoochee Circuit. I received my Civil and Domestic Mediation training from Henning Mediation and Arbitration, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.  I am a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in Civil and Domestic (Family Law) mediations.

Hourly Fee: $250.00

Available Counties: All

Registered: General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio: Ted Theus is certified in General Civil Mediation by the State of Georgia.  Ted graduated from law school at the University of Georgia in 1990 and has practiced law in Columbus, Georgia for the past 30 years.   Ted was a partner in the Columbus law firm of Page, Scrantom, Spouse, Tucker & Ford for 12 years before electing to open his own practice in 2010.  Ted’s practice has focused on representing plaintiffs and defendants in civil matters, and he has, as solo or lead counsel, settled or tried in excess of 1,000 civil lawsuits in Muscogee and the surrounding counties.  While the majority of the matters handled by Ted have involved personal injury, he also has extensive experience in handling insurance coverage cases, probate matters, condemnation disputes, contract litigation, education law cases and worker’s compensation claims on behalf of both injured parties and employers.   Ted has been selected to serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia in the past. 

Hourly fee: $275 (two hour minimum) $150 administrative fee

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered: General Civil

Bio:  Bridgett Tiller is the founder of Genesis Mediation, LLC and has served as a General/Civil Mediator since 2018 and a Domestic Relations Mediator since 2021. She provides structured, neutral, and confidential mediation services to assist parties in resolving disputes outside of litigation.

Ms. Tiller works with individuals and families involved in divorce, custody, co-parenting, and related domestic relations matters, as well as general civil disputes. Her mediation approach emphasizes effective communication, informed decision-making, and voluntary agreement.

With a background in legal support and client-focused roles, Ms. Tiller brings professionalism, organization, and discretion to sensitive matters. She is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful mediation environment that supports resolution and reduces conflict.

Hourly fee:  $100.00 Civil / $450 (split between the parties) Domestic

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic

Bio:  David Tisinger is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Upon graduating from Georgia Tech he served as an office aboard ships in the U. S. Navy.   After service in the Navy, David attended law school and was an honor graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law.  Mr. Tisinger does mediation and arbitration work as David H. Tisinger Mediation Service and works out of the firm of Tisinger Vance, P.C. in Carrollton, Georgia.  David has devoted his entire career to trial work and has tried more than 255 personal injury, auto, medical malpractice, commercial, products liability, estate and condemnation cases in jury trial settings.  He has participated as a lawyer or a mediator in m ore than 45 cases.  He recently completed his mediation training at the Strauss Institute of Pepperdine University.  The Strauss Institute is acknowledged and rated as the premier training program for mediators in the country.

Hourly fee:  $350.00  (3 hour minimum) – admin. Fee of $300.00

Available Counties:  All

Registered:  General Civil and Domestic, Arbitration

Bio:  Mia S. Walton is an energetic mediator with over 10 years of experience in mediation.  As a mediator, she excels at creating a collaborative environment to achieve quality resolution and/or desired results for clients.  Ms. Walton’s accomplishments and achievements in Mediation Services and Leadership earned her the inclusion into The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who in 2012.  Additionally, Ms. Walton has over 25 years of military service, which is beneficial to understanding the dynamics of military families and nuances unique to their civil and personal issues.

Hourly fee:  $240.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil, Domestic, Domestic Violence

Bio:  After obtaining his undergraduate degree in political science in 1980 from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Doug received his J. D. from Florida State University College of Law in 1985. Following graduation, Doug began his legal career in Atlanta with the predecessor to the firm now known as Carlock, Copeland & Stair in an insurance defense practice, becoming a partner in 1991. Doug remained with the firm until 2003, handling a broad spectrum of cases from the defense perspective, with a particular emphasis in cases involving premises liability and professional liability. He represented a number of local or national retailers, restaurants, hotels and motels, grocery stores, apartment complexes and developers in claims involving slip and falls, negligent security, false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, libel and slander as well as architects, engineers, dentists and pharmacists in malpractice claims. In 2003, Doug opened his own firm in Peachtree City. While still handling some defense of premises liability claims, he expanded his practice to include the representation of individual plaintiffs in personal injury actions.  Doug has extensive trial experience, having tried well over 100 jury trials in the state and federal courts in central and north Georgia, and has handled or argued over 35 appeals to the Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is an AV preeminent rated attorney by Martindale Hubble and has been selected as a Super Lawyer each year since 2013.  He is also a civil mediator registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.  Doug and his wife Allison, parents of two grown daughters, live in Peachtree City.

Hourly Fee:  $175.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil

Bio:  Stacey L. Williams is an Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator and Professor.  She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia Law School, where she teaches Mediation and Dispute Resolution System Design.   Stacey is a Founding Partner of ADR Atlanta and also serves as a FINRA Arbitrator.  She has conducted over 1,000 mediations, focusing primarily on general civil and probate matters.  Stacey is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, the Northern District of GA, and GA Supreme, State and Superior Courts and is a past Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of GA.   She is a former Senior Deputy Attorney General in the Tax Division of the NV Attorney General and is the former Director of the Lemon Law Administration and Dispute Resolution for the GA Office of the Attorney General. 

Hourly Fee: $250

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Probate, Arbitration

Bio: Mr. Whiteside is an attorney in active law practice since 1976.  He served as law clerk to the Honorable Algie M. Mosley, Jr., from 1981 to 1983, and has been practicing as a bankruptcy lawyer since he completed his clerkship.  He has been included in the Georgia Trend Legal Elite listings for several years and is a master in the Bankruptcy Inns of Court, on which he has served on the Board of Directors.  Mr. Whiteside became certified as an arbitrator and mediator in 2005 and has mediated or arbitrated several hundred cases, ranging from very small credit card cases, essentially on a pro bono basis, up to multi-million dollar commercial cases involving complex bankruptcy or commercial issues.  Mr. Whiteside also served on the Muscogee County School Board for fifteen (15) years and was frequently designated as a representative for the School District in mediations involving litigation against the School District.  While he does not limit his mediation practice to commercial and business matters, these are the cases he prefers to mediate.  Mr. Whiteside is not qualified as a domestic mediator and does not want to be. 

Hourly fee:  $250.00

Available Counties:  ALL

Registered:  General Civil,  Arbitration

Bio: Tommy Woodyard is a registered neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution in General Civil, Domestic Relations (family law) and Juvenile Delinquency. Tommy received his Master of Science in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University with a Specialty in Justice and Organizations and was awarded the Outstanding Scholar distinction. He interned as a mediator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Atlanta District Office’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program mediating charges of employment discrimination.  He completed one year of law school at Stetson University College of Law. He graduated from the University of Georgia with an AB in International Affairs and a minor in Public Policy and Management. He volunteered while in school with the Georgia Council of the Blind and as an Ombudsman for the North Georgia Long Term Care Residents’ Advocate Program visiting long term care facilities to help residents advocate for their residency rights. He was an ambassador for UGA’s Disability Resource Center’s Speaker’s Bureau educating faculty and employees on disability rights. Tommy concurrently served as a Senior Safety Dawg Ambassador for the Office of Emergency Preparedness interfacing with students and staff regarding safety issues and in this role was able to facilitate implementation of needed disability access on campus. He received his training in General Civil mediation from Kennesaw State University and his Juvenile Delinquency mediation training from The Hull Firm. He received his Domestic Relations mediation training from Henning Mediation and Arbitration, Inc. His areas of expertise include: Workplace, Landlord/Tenant, Small Claims, Contractor, Neighborhood Disputes, Contracts, International, General Civil, Juvenile Delinquency, Divorce and Education.

Hourly Fee: 190.00 per hour, with a 2-hour minimum; a one-hour cancellation fee applies if the mediation is not cancelled within two business days prior to the start of a session.

Available Counties: ALL

Registered: General Civil, Domestic Relations, Juvenile Delinquency