ARBITRATION & MEDIATION SERVICES

MARY ANN ZAHA

Rule 31 Mediator

Mary Ann began her education in mediation in the Beaver State in the late 80’s, driven by her work experience with families in crisis.  “Many parents seem to grow dependent on a legal system to tell them how to parent their children.”

Mary Ann believes in the power of people . . . 

JERRY TIDWELL

Attorney and Rule 31 Civil Mediator

Jerry’s 36 years practicing trial law as both a plaintiff’s and defendant’s attorney in a wide variety of civil cases gives him rare perspective on the strength of a case. Jerry brings to the table an innate sense of fairness along with a relaxed style that can help ease tense situations and get participants to focus . . .

KEN GOLDSMITH

Educator and  Rule 31 Civil Mediator TN and Certified in GA

Kenneth is Director of Legal Studies at Chattanooga State Community College. As Director, he manages degree, transfer and certificate programs in pre-law and paralegal studies. For the college he has served as Faculty Senate President and Faculty Sub Council Representative to the . . . 

SANDI BOTT

Attorney and Rule 31 Family Mediator

Sandi Bott began practicing family law in 1979 when bell bottom jeans were all the rage. She grew up in various parts of the country but attended undergrad and law school at UT. Upon moving to Chattanooga, she started working at Southeast Tennessee Legal Services, before beginning private practice . . . 

SAM ROBINSON

Attorney and Rule 31 Civil Mediator

As a full-time Certified Mediator, Sam Robinson Jr. conducted over 1,000 in-person mediations for the State of Tennessee over the last 10 years.  Sam’s first retirement came after 38 years of a very successful law practice. He has now retired a second time from full-time  mediation with the Tennessee  . . .

TELETHA MCJUNKIN

Rule 31 Family Mediator

Teletha is a Rule 31 Mediator who came to mediation with 20+ years professional experience spanning many sectors, from the local to the global level.  She has worked remotely and internationally for the past five years with people from many different contexts, cultures and countries . . . 

DIANNE

BLANKENBAKER

Rule 31 Mediator and President of AMS

Dianne arrived in Chattanooga on a whim, planning to live here for 6 months. That was in 2011. Having not only fallen in love with Chattanooga and its endless outdoor  opportunities but also Jerry Tidwell, she committed herself . . .

VENESSA CAMPBELL

Attorney and Rule 31 Mediator

Venessa started her career as an attorney, but her path to mediation started years ago—even though she didn’t know it then. Venessa was working on a protracted employment dispute. After a year of litigation, her client called to say they had worked it out. She asked how and the client said . . .