Empathetic Mediation

Drawing upon a wealth of experience as a practicing attorney, mediator, Judge and CEO, I bring fairness, empathy, and the highest ethics and integrity to all dispute resolution processes.

Mediation, Arbitration and Facilitation

Trained as a lawyer (UCLA, Order of the Coif), I practiced at a nationally prominent law firm, and at one of Hawai‘i’s preeminent firms. I then devoted much of my career to helping resolve disputes. I was the Director of the Hawai‘i State Judiciary’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution, where I received extensive dispute resolution training and personally conducted numerous dispute resolution trainings. As the Director of the Center for Alternate Dispute Resolution, I successfully mediated complex litigation. In addition to developing dispute resolution programs, I also facilitated many controversial public policy issues, including commercial leasehold, Hawaiian Homelands, the siting of public facilities, public schools and freedom of speech, water rights on the North Shore, the State Hospital, Hurricane Iniki insurance disputes, homelessness, race, discrimination and identity politics in Hawai‘i, the Akaka bill, and medical aid in dying. Later, as a State Court Judge, I presided over more than 10,000 cases, and successfully settled thousands of cases. In 2020, I completed the Pepperdine Law School Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution 40-hour course: Mediating the Litigated Case.

Neutral Investigations and Executive Coach

I spent sixteen years leading and operating two large organizations. For six years, I was the Hawai‘i State Judiciary’s Administrative Director of the Courts, responsible statewide for the day-to-day operations of the court system. The Judiciary had 1,800 employees and a $110 million budget. For ten years, I was the CEO and President of the YMCA of Honolulu, an organization with nine branches, 1,300 employees, and a $30 million budget. In both positions, I presided over many neutral fact-finding investigations, and I coached hundreds of mid-level and senior-level staff. Throughout my career, I also have mentored many rising community leaders.

 
Community

I have made many speeches, panel presentations, and media appearances on a wide range of community and social issues facing the State. I have served in leadership roles on a number of boards, councils, and commissions, and I have received numerous awards, all related to strengthening the foundation of Hawai‘i’s community.