My Background

Jennifer LaDukeThe combination of my experience and training has given me the skills and insight into conflict, consumer and discovery issues. During mediation I productively channel the conversations to help the parties express their concerns and complaints and then move towards resolution.

I have spent over a decade in the field of conflict resolution in both private practice and administrative settings. I have mediated cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County as a volunteer for the Center for Conflict Resolution. Prior to founding Convergence Mediation I completed over 120 hours of mediation training. In addition I have been trained by the American College of e-Neutrals' training in e-Discovery Mediation.

I shifted my career from litigation to mediation, because I was genuinely drawn to the constructive nature of mediation. In litigation there is typically a winner and a loser. Even a judgment in your favor might not solve the underlying problem. Mediation is based on helping people find common ground, think of solutions that address the deeper issues, and move forward.

Mediation Training

  • Center for Conflict Resolution Participated in an in-depth and rigorous training program comprised of a four-day Mediation Skills training, one-day Adapted Model Mediation Training for Civil Court-based mediations, three month Mentorship Program, and a Certification Simulation skills-based examination. Training included extensive simulation opportunities with several trainers.
  • Mediation Council of Illinois Attended a one day training on "Mediating with Military Families," covering issues of military culture, benefits, parenting agreements and readjustment in the mediation context.
  • American College of e-Neutrals Completed the "Putting the 'e' in Neutral" training, a two-day training on e-Discovery Mediation.
  • M.S. Powers & Associates Completed an intensive 40 Hour Divorce Mediation Training, which covered parenting plans and custody issues and included participation in mediation simulations.
  • Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies Completed an intensive 40 Hour Mediation Training which included in-depth lectures on conflict resolution and participation in mediation simulations.

Experience

  • Volunteers as a mediator for the Center for Conflict Resolution utilizing a facilitative approach to mediation for both long-form mediations and court-adapted mediations in the Cook County Courts.
  • Volunteered for the Resolution Systems Institute researching alternative dispute resolution in the courts. Assisted the Staff Attorney in preparing an updated report on foreclosure mediation models around the country. (download pdf)
  • Was the primary associate responsible for litigation of dozens of federal and state consumer cases including nationwide class actions at Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin, LLC. Engaged in substantial and regular client contact, drafted and orally argued motions and responses, and significant work on discovery.
  • Was part of the e-Discovery team processing and analyzing thousands of documents for several large-scale cases. Gained hands-on experience with multiple e-Discovery systems including Lexis-Nexis ADI, Kroll-on-Track, Concordance, and Introspect Explorer (Zantaz).
  • Spent over six years as the Board Attorney for the Illinois Racing Board representing the Racing Board in administrative hearings. Worked with the General Counsel to develop a new appeal procedure, the Director's Review Conference, to make appeals more efficient, accessible and affordable for licensees and the Racing Board.

Memberships

 
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