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Fern N. Gershone
FERN Mediation

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9650 Waterstone Place
#401
Hopkins, MN 55305
USA
612-385-6749
Fax: n/a

Description of Practice

I am a skilled Mediation and ADR Professional, offering over 35 years of experience in the areas of mediation, conflict resolution, facilitation and creative problem solving - all essential in alternative dispute resolution. I have worked in the areas of health care, labor relations, business, education, housing, harassment and consulting. I am recognized as a Qualified Neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

I provide a more affordable, less stressful alternative to litigation and help keep parties in control of their own future by facilitating the process, allowing the parties to develop their own solutions. My role is to guide the parties through the process and help them exchange perspectives and information in a collaborative, respectful manner while supporting parties in meeting their goals.

Productive conflict fuels our creativity and growth and is a normal part of our lives. Destructive conflict is debilitating both personally and professionally. While conflict is inevitable – damaging relationships is not. I address the situation in a respectful, compassionate environment where constructive dialogue can take place to transcend conflict and arrive at solutions to problems that otherwise may evoke fear and loss. My mediation clients experience a sense of trust in my ability to understand their needs and to help achieve reasonable, unified settlements.

I practice client-centered mediation, tailored to meet the objectives of each engagement as defined by the parties.

Professional Background

In my 35+ year career in Human Resources, I have had significant experience in mediation including: employee/employee; employee/supervisory; team-mediation and team-building; conflict resolution; grievance hearings, contract negotiations, training and skills development. In addition, I have done mediation with Hennepin County Housing Court, Hennepin County Harassment Court and Community Mediation with Conflict Resolution Center. I have done a variety of mediations not affiliated with the above.

I am a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA). I have spoken on a variety of topics to groups ranging from 5 to 500.

Experience

  • 2017 MSBA/ADR Section Review of Rule 114
  • 2017 MSBA/ADR Section Handling Difficult Questions
  • 2017 MSBA/ADR Section Preparing for Productive Mediation
  • 2018 MSBA/ADR Section All Conflict is Relational
  • 2018 Conflict Resolution Ctr Mediation Course - Rule 114 (30 hours)
  • 2018 NORTHPOINT Eviction Prevention Pilot
  • 2018 M.Houghtaling/M.Labine Mediation in Courts/Housing
  • 2018 Conflict Resolution Ctr Mediating Workplace Disputes
  • 2019 M. Labine/M. Houghtaling Mediation in Harassment Court
  • 2019 Conflict Resolution Ctr Give Me Shelter - Housing Mediation
  • 2019 Elder Justice Center Elder Mediation Training
  • 2019 MSBA Religion in Mediation
  • 2019 Conflict Resolution Ctr Competency Issues in Mediation 2019 Ethics in Mediation Paint it Black (or white) 2019 Conflict Resolution Ctr You Can't Always Get What You Want - When There's No Agreement

Degrees

Metropolitan State University,
Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
B.A. - Human Resources

University of Oklahoma-Tulsa Campus,
Tulsa, OK
M.A. - Training/Human Relations

Training

Dates    Trainer(s)    Title   
2019    CRC    When There is No Agreement - You Can't Always Get What You Want - 1 hour

Approach

My approach and style of mediation is determined first by understanding the needs and relationships of the parties and the nature of the dispute. Once this is determined, I tailor my style to meet the needs of the parties. My mediation approach is client-centered, allowing the parties to proceed in their own direction and at their own pace so that the process meets their unique needs. I utilize various procedures and techniques so that clients are able to have a more constructive dialogue and outcome. I use rules and intervention techniques to help the parties remain focused, define issues, gather information, develop option, evaluate solutions and structure an agreement. I do pro-bono work as time permits.

Fees

Fees are paid at an hourly rate determined by the type of services. I offer a one hour initial consultation at no cost prior to entering into an agreement to mediate. The purpose of the consultation is to review the mediation procedures and to determine whether mediation is an appropriate method for the parties.

Areas of Practice

  • Adult Family (2 mediated)
  • Agriculture & Ranching (1 mediated)
  • Bullying (20 mediated)
  • Civil (general) (5 mediated)
  • Community (3 mediated)
  • EEOC (5 mediated)
  • Employment (100 mediated)
  • Family (5 mediated)
  • General (30 mediated)
  • Health Care (4 mediated)
  • Labor - Management (25 mediated)
  • Landlord - Tenant (17 mediated)
  • Non Profits (5 mediated)
  • Online Mediation
  • Pet Mediation (1 mediated)
  • Sexual Harrassment (15 mediated)
  • Victim - Offender (10 mediated)
  • Workers Comp (20 mediated)
  • Workplace (37 mediated)

Professional Services

  • Mediator
  • Communication Skills Trainer
  • Facilitator
  • Mediation Consultant
  • Online Mediator
  • Fact-Finder
  • Mediator-Arbitrator
  • Mediation Trainer
  • Staff Developer
  • Conflict Coach
  • Strategic Planning

References available upon request.