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Choosing to mediate a dispute or conflict is the first step, but who is the the best mediator for a specific case? There are hundreds of alternative dispute resolution providers available, as well as ideas about who is “qualified” to be the negotiator in a particular case.
In truth anyone can be a mediator, or someone who facilitates a successful negotiation to the conflict. In fact, the best mediators are not necessarily (more…)
Robert “Bob” Matlock, JD has over 30 years experience as a litigator, and has been practicing as a mediator since 1985.
Using the experience and creativity from his extensive career as a litigator, his current practice includes the mediation and arbitration of complex marital cases and business disputes, as well as the practice of law as a collaborative law practitioner in the field of family law.
Bob has extensive experience in complex marital property and child custody cases in all resolution arenas including litigation, arbitration, collaborative law, and mediation. In addition, he serves as an adjunct professor of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) at numerous universities and law schools in both the US and Internationally. In addition, he has spoken on the topics of mediation/ADR and collaborative law at various national and international legal and ADR organizations.
He was one of the first family law practitioners to expand his legal practice to include mediation (1985) and was a charter member of the first collaborative law practice group in Texas.
Bob obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Washington University in 1968 and his JD from the Texas School of Law in 1971. In addition, to other bar and court admissions, he is admitted to practice before all trial courts in the State of Texas, Texas Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court of Texas. In addition to his ADR practice Bob is active in various civic groups including Habitat for Humanity in Dallas and Collin County.
Certifications & Recognitions
Mediation & Collaborative Law Professional Associations
Robert Matlock is one of many experienced mediators available through CFR Mediation. Contact your CFR Mediation Coordinator at 866-922-2370 to schedule a mediation appointment with Robert Matlock, JD.
CFR Certified Mediators are conflict resolution professionals who meet our quality standards in experience, training, and commitment to the field. These individuals apply to be part of our provider panel and are thoroughly vetted by our staff before being offered an opportunity to be a CFR Certified Mediator.
Our mediators are local professional mediators, in 27 states, who have been chosen to be CFR Certified Mediators due to their commitment to and experience in the field. Our mediators come from a variety of backgrounds including law, behavioral health, real estate, human resources, business, finance and medicine. Regardless of their backgrounds, all of our mediators have demonstrated that they possess excellent mediation skills.
All of our mediators are thoroughly vetted and have successfully met the requirements that CFR has set out to ensure that our mediators meet high quality standards. Each person has been vetted by our mediation provider credentialing committee which includes CFR’s founder, Erin Johnston, MSW, LCSW. In essence no one is accepted to the as a CFR Mediator unless the committee members would choose to hire that mediator to resolve their own conflict.
Clients who choose CFR, receive mediation services from highly qualified and experienced mediators, without having to research providers on their own. A CFR Mediation Coordinator works with every client to ensure that the best CFR Certified Mediator is assigned to conduct every mediation.
Find out more about some specific mediators in our “CFR Mediator Spotlight” series on our blog where we spotlight a specific CFR Mediator.
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Additional Reading
Barbara Manousso, PhD (ABD), MPH is a certified mediator, arbitrator, facilitator, negotiator, and ombudsman with over 2,000 hours of training, teaching, and practice since 1993.
Possessing her masters in public health, and a doctorate in conflict analysis and resolution. In addition, she recently served as the president of the Association of Conflict Resolution (ACR) Houston Chapter, and has trained hundreds of mediators to mediate, arbitrate, and facilitate dispute resolution.
Based in Houston, but working nationally, Ms. Manousso is actively involved with mediating and arbitrating for both civil and federal clients.
A CFR Certified Mediator, she belongs to a variety of professional organizations, such as the Texas Association of Mediators, the New England Chapter of the Association of Conflict Resolution, and other national rosters. Ms. Manousso is a former president of the Houston Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). She serves on the editorial board of the ACResolution Magazine.
A particular interest of Ms. Manousso’s is elder care and special needs mediation, she is well versed in community resources and opportunities to help families have quality conversations and make informed decisions. In addition, Ms Manousso is also certified as a Nationally Registered Guardian and Texas Registered Guardian.
Memberships and Appointments
Barbara Manousso is one of many experienced mediators available through CFR Mediation.
Mary Rowe has been a mediator since 1992. In addition to being a mediator, she has over 22 years in the human resources field. She has worked as a Training Program Manager and Human Resources Director. Her experience gives her a keen understanding of organizational systems & cultures; and the impact they have on the communication in the workplace. In addition she has an extensive background in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) related laws.
Whether mediating, facilitating, training, or consulting, Mary tailors the process to the needs of the parties involved. She assists those in conflict define their interests and then facilitates the finding of a solution that meets the interests of both parties. Her focus in on creating opportunities for parties to gain skills and find new methods for resolving conflict and repairing relationships.
Utilizing a wide variety of mediation techniques, including pre-interview sessions, face to face mediation, transformational mediation techniques, shuttle diplomacy, private caucuses, and traditional interest based approaches, Mary not only facilitates a resolution, but also assists the parties in gaining skills to aid communication in the future.
Mary has received advanced training in mediation, facilitation, and adult education. In addition she holds an:
Mary is also on the selected roster of mediators for the:
Mary Rowe is one of many experienced mediators available through CFR Mediation.
Ben DeVries, JD is an attorney mediator in the Houston, Texas area.
First admitted to bar in 1966, he has mediated over 1000 cases since 1997.
In addition to his practice, Mr. DeVries is an adjunct professor at Lone Star College as well as a volunteer mediator and member of the board of directors at Montgomery County Dispute Resolution Center.
Mr. DeVries’ mediation practice encompasses the following areas:
Ben DeVries is one of many experienced mediators available through CFR Mediation.
Seth J. Davis is a respected mediator specializing in Elder Abuse, Personal Injury, Medical, Legal and Broker Malpractice, Divorce, Employment and Commercial Liability. To date, he has participated in well over 200 successful mediations.
Prior to committing to a career as mediator, Seth worked in the field of insurance and risk management. As a result, he possesses a unique insight and experience in dispute resolution in business and the insurance industries. In addition, Seth’s training and experience in conflict resolution has allowed him to expand his practice to include divorce & family as well as elder abuse issues.
Seth received his B.S. in Business Management from Pepperdine University and his Mediation training from the Pepperdine University School of Law Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution. He is a Member of the Consumer Attorney Association of Los Angeles and the Southern California Mediators Association, and he donates charitably to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In his spare time, he enjoys golf and managing both of his children’s baseball teams.
Seth brings a welcome style of facilitative mediation. A true mediator he does not believe in being over evaluative of a case, nor does he allow his opinion of a case to drive the negotiations. Seth recognizes the control of the mediation belongs to the parties in dispute and it is his job to assist the parties in resolution.
Professional Affiliations
Mr. Baldwin is the President of Baldwin & Associates LLC, a diversified management-consulting firm that provides Human Performance training programs, Conflict Management/Alternative Dispute Resolution and Business Process Improvement services. Mr. Baldwin has advised governments and private companies in different industries throughout the United States on management development, corporate strategy and operational performance matters. He is a member of the board of directors for various state mediator organizations and has served as an Adjunct Professor teaching effective negotiation, marketing, management and professional development training programs.
Mr. Baldwin is a certified mediator and arbitrator specializing in Business Contracts, Insurance Appraisal, Home Builder Warranties, Finance, Diminished Value Claims, EEO, Civil Rights, ADA, IRS, Workplace/Employment, Auto Lemon Law, Real Estate, Homeowner Associations, Small Claims, Landlord/Tenant, Hurricane Property Damage, Disaster Claims, Mortgage Foreclosure, Residential/Commercial Construction, Product/Service Warranties and Government ADR.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), licensed mortgage banker and has earned numerous certificates of competency.
CFR has expert mediators, like Mr. Baldwin, throughout the US. For mediation services from this provider or other CFR Certified Mediators, contact us.
Dr. Erikson has successfully mediated more than 5000 cases, including divorce, contract, and employment discrimination mediations. A skilled mediator, she has trained more than 500 divorce and community mediation providers in conflict resolution techniques.
Possessing a Master’s Degree in Human Development, and a PhD in Social Welfare. In addition to her work as a mediator, Dr. Erikson continues to mentor PhD coaching students for the International University of Professional Studies and maintain a part-time fulfilling psychotherapy practice. She is also familiar with small business management and can bring that expertise into her professional practice.
Dr. Erikson’s style is direct, respectful, humorous, and persistently optimistic. She values creative solutions and living fully in all areas of life. Her own life transitions have included divorce and successful remarriage, business entrepreneurship, and supporting immediate family members with chronic medical issues. She and her husband Paul have five adult children, and two hunting dogs. She performs with with a the symphony orchestra chorus, and enjoys yoga and active sports like skiing and rollerblading.
Testimonials:
I knew I could trust her to lead, guide, speak frankly, and help me see what I wanted to do, how to accomplish it, and what personal satisfaction lay at the end of the road.
Her approach is calm and quiet, yet invigorating.
She truly realizes the importance of intently listening to her clients, and of helping to use their own insights and abilities.
CFR has expert mediators, like Dr. Erikson, throughout the US. For mediation services from this provider or other CFR Certified Mediators, contact us.
Sandra Clemons, M.A. is a Certified Circuit Civil Mediator providing a range of professional mediation services that include court-ordered, contract administered, and private referrals. In 2007 she joined the CFR Mediation provider team.
As a mediator she combines her educational background in Organizational Management with over 15 years experience as a Federal Contractor and Training Facilitator in employee relations and employment compliance issues. Her employee relations training work focuses on four primary training core areas: Conflict Resolution, Coaching, Managing Diversity, and Emotional Intelligence. These areas create an interchangeable platform for mediation service delivery.
As a mediator focusing on workplace related conflict resolution, in addition to other specialties, Ms. Clemons is skilled in the use of multiple ADR strategies including: negotiation, facilitation, conflict coaching, and training. Her perspective is that mediation provides a framework for getting to the root of the problem, resolving the dispute, and preserving successful relationships. Practice areas include: Mortgage Foreclosures, EEO/Employment, Business Contracts, and Workers’ Compensation.
Regardless of the nature of the dispute, she views her role as mediator as one of assisting individuals in analyzing the strengths and weakness of their positions, focusing on their interests and moving them towards resolution: in their personal lives, work relationships, and business interactions.
CFR has expert mediators, like Ms. Clemons, throughout the US. For mediation services from this provider or other CFR Certified Mediators, contact us.
