Lisa Dorman brings courtroom experience to divorce mediation

Attorney and mediator Lisa B. Dorman was recently featured on Close Up Radio to discuss her work helping couples and co-parents resolve divorce disputes outside court. Her practice combines matrimonial court experience, parenting coordination and a child-focused approach to custody and post-divorce conflict.

Why it matters: - Divorce mediation can reduce the time, cost and conflict of court-driven matrimonial cases. - Dorman Mediation Services focuses on custody, visitation, parenting plans, decision-making authority and asset division in a more private setting. - Lisa B. Dorman’s background in matrimonial court gives her a judge-oriented view of how disputes are likely to play out.

What happened: - Close Up Radio featured attorney and divorce mediator Lisa Dorman in an interview with Jim Masters on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 12 p.m. Eastern. - Dorman discussed her mediation practice, her role as a parenting coordinator and her approach to helping families reach settlement. - The interview also touched on her community involvement and her interest in following a passion-driven career.

The details: - Dorman worked from 2010 to 2023 as a principal court attorney to a New York State Supreme Court Justice who handled matrimonial cases exclusively. - After years of working on hundreds of matrimonial matters, Dorman launched her own practice as a divorce mediator and parent coordinator. - Dorman Mediation Services helps families address custody, visitation, parental decision-making authority, parenting plans, asset division and related issues. - Mediation is a voluntary, settlement-focused process in which couples decide to end a marriage and work out terms themselves instead of leaving the outcome to a court. - Dorman says the process includes definitive questions, space for both partners to express feelings, breaks when emotions run high and an emphasis on respectful dialogue, listening and compromise. - As a parenting coordinator, Dorman helps co-parents resolve disputes after divorce. - Post-divorce issues can include unclear agreement language, a parent’s wish to relocate or remarry, or requests for different parenting and vacation schedules. - Dorman described herself as a neutral third party who helps reduce post-divorce conflict. - Her education includes a political science degree from Emory University and a law degree magna cum laude from New England Law/Boston. - Dorman also uses Disney movie themes as a way to help children and families discuss emotions and life lessons. - She cites The Lion King as an example, using Simba and Mufasa to illustrate unconditional love, forgiveness and self-confidence. - Dorman says her court background gives her a “courtroom lens approach” that helps her evaluate disputes from a judge’s perspective and warn co-parents when demands are unlikely to succeed in court. - She represented children for 12 years before working with the judge and says she understands the harm conflict can cause to children’s physical and emotional well-being. - Dorman said, “I love helping people. I tell each new client I will listen, and I help them get to Yes.” - For nearly 40 years, Dorman has worked as a public servant and said she values outcomes more than pay. - More information is available at Dorman Mediation Services. - The interview is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and Spotify.

Between the lines: - Dorman’s pitch is built around combining legal realism with emotional de-escalation. - Her emphasis on children, co-parenting and court expectations suggests a mediation style aimed at keeping disputes practical and reducing avoidable conflict. - The Disney-themed approach is unusual, but it appears designed to make difficult family discussions more accessible for children.

What's next: - Dorman is expected to continue using her court experience in mediation and parenting coordination cases. - Close Up Radio listeners can hear the full conversation through the podcast links above. - Families seeking more information can visit Dorman Mediation Services online.

The bottom line: - Lisa Dorman is positioning mediation as a calmer, court-informed alternative for families trying to resolve divorce and co-parenting disputes.