Lenore Kellerman
Mediator and attorney, Portland
I became a mediator after watching too many people win a case and lose the thing they had been arguing about.
I practiced as a lawyer in Portland before I mediated, and I still think like one: I read the documents, I ask what each number is made of, and I can tell when a term will cause trouble later.
What I stopped doing is taking a side. Now I work for the conversation, not for either person in it. Most of my days are spent in a plain room, or on a video call, with two or three people who would like to be done with this.
When I'm not in session, I write the guides on this site and walk in Forest Park.
Credentials
Bar admissions
Oregon
2004
Washington
2008
Courts
Multnomah County Circuit Court
U.S. District Court, Portland division
Education
J.D., Willamette University College of Law
B.A., Portland State University
Languages
English
Spanish
conversational
Memberships
Oregon State Bar
How I work
Four things I do in every session
I say who I am not
Before anyone speaks I tell you I'm not your lawyer and can't advise either of you. I'm also not a judge and won't decide who is right.
I meet each of you alone first
A short private call lets me hear what you would not say in front of the other person, and check that mediation is safe and fair for both of you.
I write as we go
Agreements go on a shared page where you can both see them. Nothing is a surprise at the end.
I stop when it stops helping
If we aren't getting anywhere, I'll tell you, and I won't bill you for sessions that are only repeating the same fight.
Tell me what is going on
A short call first, so you know what to expect.