Kimberly Schulist

Thank you for exploring the possibility of hiring me as an ADR coach. I have been a special education attorney for over twenty years and in 2016, I decided to transition into the field of special education ADR. In order to hone my skills in ADR, I attended Pepperdine University's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and obtained a Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution. I am fortunate that my mentors and professors through the Straus Institute are among the most experienced and accomplished conflict resolution experts in ADR. During my time at the Straus Institute, I researched, explored and applied several aspects and methodologies of ADR to special education. This enabled me to realize that I wanted to devote myself full-time to special education ADR.

My passion has been in the field of conflict resolution even during my career as a special education attorney. I have always gravitated towards facilitating a resolution that values both parties' interests and concerns. I now have the privilege of integrating my commitment to ADR with my background in special education, which is a dream come true. I look forward to supporting you in all aspects of ADR, including: 1:1 coaching, informal resolution sessions, mediations, trainings, planning for difficult IEP meetings or other meetings, facilitating IEP meetings, or any other ADR-related situation. I have attended countless planning meetings (for IEPs), IEP meetings, resolution sessions, and mediations. I believe my experience as a special education attorney enhances my ability to navigate the various conflicts that families and school districts inevitably encounter in special education. I am committed to utilizing ADR early in the conflict resolution process and I am cognizant of the importance of establishing healthy and communicative long-term relationships between schools and families.

My unique background as a special education attorney and my ability to work collaboratively with families and school districts will enable everyone to focus their efforts on the student, which is the true intention of the IDEA.