McVicker's Family Law Mediation Center

04/12/2022

I am so very proud to have earned my Masters of Law (LLM) degree in Dispute Resolution in 2021 from Pepperdine University, Caruso School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution which has been ranked number 1 in the U.S. News & World Report 2023 Best Dispute Resolution Programs rankings. I enrolled in this program after a 25 year litigation career in family law as a "seasoned" litigator Certified Family Law Specialist having transitioned through a mid-career move into a full time family law mediator. My goal was to best serve clients going through the emotional process of divorce and family breakup. I learned how to put down my sword as a litigator and pick up the tools of the trade to facilitate a positive emotional exchange between family law litigants. The program was extremely rewarding and greatly beneficial for my new career. 👏👏👏✨✨✨

The 2023 Best Law Schools rankings were released today.
The Straus Institute named #1 in dispute resolution specialty rankings! Pepperdine Caruso School of Law - Straus Institute https://law.pepperdine.edu/newsroom/2022/03/pepperdine-caruso-school-law-ranked-number-52-us-news-world-report-2023-best-law-school/

07/09/2021

In family law disputes, people usually believe they know what they want and what is best for them. When two views clash, it is very difficult for one to prevail. People often think their view is reasonable when there may be sensible alternatives which, in reality, may be prove more effective and practical. In family mediation with divorcing parties, coming up with mutually satisfying options is not easy. It often requires the use of imagination to break up a sharpened opinion or judgment, which then leads to more than one solution to a conflict. Solving a family law dispute means solving a problem between two people, not just one. This requires ways of meeting both parties' expectations and satisfying their real underlying interests. The key to reaching wise decisions is not to prematurely close oneself off to solutions.

03/04/2021

At McVicker's Family Law Mediation Center our goal is to earn Trust, Confidence, Communication, Respect and Understanding with each and every couple that mediates with our attorney mediator, Elizabeth McVicker. We know that going through a divorce can be difficult and present a myriad of questions with an uncertain future. By applying these concepts Mrs. McVicker listens and works with you to share information and ideas and not be intimidated. It is important to open up and say what you feel and think. Often the best solutions for the future can be found only after everything is said.

03/15/2020

McVickers Family Law Mediation offers online family law mediation services. Online mediation is easy to access and can be conducted from anywhere there is an online connection. Once the mediation date and time has been confirmed, participants will receive information about how to connect and access the mediation session, including instructions for dial-in audio and a link to access the live video portion of the mediation.

09/24/2019

Mediation is a very smart alternative to going to family court. Many litigants feel the sense of being trapped in their own positions, meaning there is no way to get resolution unless the Judge decides how they must behave and what orders they must adhere to. Unbeknownst to many litigants judges do not always favor one side or another. Often they take a middle position when making a ruling which may turn out to be unfavorable or from left field. Why take the risk of going to court especially since it is so easy to destroy any vestige of respect for the other party? In mediation, there is a risk free advantage. If you do not settle then you can try other alternatives including court. I prefer to look at the long-term perspective in mediation, dealing with clients who are going to see the payoffs in the future. Finding decent doable solutions to problems is what I try to achieve through mediation with the input from clients who are willing to see past their differences in order to move on with their lives.

07/13/2019

At McVicker's Family Law Mediation Center, clients undergo confidential divorce and family law mediation with Elizabeth McVicker at one of three conference rooms. Ms. McVicker uses a variety of communication techniques to facilitate a settlement of real life family problems. To maintain a balance between parties, Elizabeth remains neutral and unbiased at all times. It is preferable for the parties to remain in the joint mediation session to write up any agreement, although it is completely understandable as well that many individuals prefer to take time to review any agreement which may change the course of family dynamics.

07/13/2019

At McVicker's Family Law Mediation Center we provide a relaxed atmosphere for our clients.