A collaborative approach to peaceful resolution.
“Sheri Russell’s [discrimination and harassment] complaint investigation report was excellent. The fact finding was thorough and complete. The credibility analysis was essential and detailed, and her conclusions were well supported.”
~ Employment Attorney
As an attorney and mediator since 1994, Sheri Russell, JD, understands and appreciates the important service that both professions provide; and the distinct, but complementary, roles of both attorneys and mediators. Her philosophy is to strongly encourage all mediation clients to obtain legal advice prior to the initial mediation session, during the mediation if necessary, and to have an attorney review any mediation agreement before it takes effect. When attorneys are present at her mediations, Sheri invites their participation and contributions to the mediation.
Sheri knows all divorcing couples and parents absolutely need legal advice, and that mediation can help resolve the issues in a way that leads to increased compliance with the agreements, better foundation for future communication, and involves less conflict, less expense, less time and less emotional stress than litigation.
As a family attorney and mediator since 1994, and a volunteer with LAW Advocates domestic violence and family law self-help clinics, Sheri understands the legal issues involved in dissolutions, parenting plans, modifications, child support orders and domestic violence situations; and the Washington and local court forms, rules and preferences. This translates to two actions: (1) accurate identification of when mediation clients need to obtain legal advice; and (2) thoroughly written agreements that attorneys and judges appreciate and approve.
Sheri is an empathetic and an active listener, and she understands separating and divorcing couples are often on different points of the dissolution spectrum - from wanting to continue the relationship to already moved on. Sheri does not allow one party vent at length to the other. She keeps the parties on track and will meet with them separately if one is so far apart from the other on the grieving or anger spectrum. She will then work with that client separately until s/he is able to come back to a joint session.
Sheri Russell, JD has 16 years experience mediating workplace conflicts and complaints, including five years as an employment attorney and eight years as an equal employment opportunity director, assistant director and consultant for a large public agency and three universities. Sheri is specifically well-versed and experienced in resolving and managing complaints involving discrimination, sexual and discriminatory harassment, reasonable disability and religious accommodations, family and medical leave issues, hiring and search committee issues, employee and supervisor performance and progressive discipline. In addition, Sheri conducts neutral and thorough complaint investigations, credibility assessment and formal reports. She is an experienced policy auditor, and drafts thorough and proactive policies and procedures. Sheri provides effective supervisor coaching and customized trainings for supervisors and employees on conflict resolution, discrimination and harassment prevention, diversity and performance management.