Testimonial

"Sheri Russell was an excellent mediator, and was very thorough, both in her understanding of the issues and anticipation of possible issues/outcomes."

~ Mediation Client

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(360) 255-1666
sheri@bellinghammediation.com

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About Sheri Russell, JD

Sheri Russell, JD
Professional Mediator

Bellingham Mediation is the mediation and consulting practice of Sheri Russell, JD, a professional mediator and workplace consultant located in Bellingham, Washington, and serving Whatcom and Skagit Counties. Prior to opening Bellingham Mediation, Sheri Russell, JD, owned a general civil law and mediation practice in Idaho, focusing on family, workplace and contract issues. Sheri also worked as an employment law and equal opportunity consultant for several universities, non-profit organizations and unions, and was the equal opportunity director for a large public agency. Sheri has taught university mediation courses; taught and coached trainings on mediation, conflict resolution, employment law and diversity; judged university negotiation competitions; and facilitated work team discussions, senior staff/director retreats, and small and large public hearings for federal agencies and local non-profit organizations.

As an attorney and a mediator, Sheri both litigated and mediated divorce, family, employment, contract and real estate disputes. Her legal experience and knowledge brings a necessary practical and realistic approach to her collaborative mediation style. This style has been particularly successful in helping clients resolve issues and create agreements that meet legal approval while preserving the parties' communication and/or relationship, such as in family and employment contexts.

As a divorce and family mediator, Sheri mediates conflicts involved in:

Divorce
Parenting Plans
Modifications
Elder Care
Parent/Child Conflicts
Estate Plans

As an employment and workplace mediator, Sheri mediates conflicts such as:

Discrimination and harassment complaints
Reasonable disability or religious accommodation issues
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Wrongful or constructive discharge complaints
Co-worker or supervisor conflicts

As a workplace consultant, Sheri conducts formal and thorough discrimination and harassment complaint investigations. Her complaint investigations are as a neutral fact-finder, and may contain credibility assessments when appropriate. Sheri also assists employers with strengthening their discrimination and harassment prevention, and disability and religious accommodation policies and procedures. Sheri works with human resource professionals and supervisors to create legally current policies and procedures, and customized workplace trainings.

Sheri is certified as a professional mediator by the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center and the Idaho Mediation Association, and she is a member of the Whatcom County Court’s roster of family and civil mediators. Sheri is a member of the Washington Mediation Association, the Idaho State Bar Association, and has been a board member of the Idaho Mediation Association (IMA). In addition to her private practice, Bellingham Mediation, Sheri volunteers her time providing mediation training and coaching for the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, mediating small claims disputes for Whatcom County Court, and supporting the missions of LAW Advocates and the Whatcom YWCA.