reconcile | rebuild
As a mediator, I advocate for a fair process, not a particular outcome.
– Victoria-Anne Davidson
Conflict, unfortunately, is a part of life, but knowing that doesn’t make dealing with it any easier. Disputes in our personal and work lives can cause enormous stress and impact our mental health and work performance. Court cases divide and oppose the participants for a win-lose outcome. As the story that is taken to court rarely captures the entirety of the issue, the resulting sense of unfairness can compromise working relationships, sometimes beyond repair.
Even very significant differences can be overcome without a relationship becoming collateral damage. The best resolution for a dispute is where the participants arrive at an agreement they can live with. Mediation promotes the exchange of information and a deeper understanding of the participants’ concerns, needs and interests. This allows them to work towards a mutually acceptable solution, move beyond the problem and maintain their relationship.
The kind of mediation I practise promotes reconciliation and aims to rebuild working relationships.
When can mediation help?
Commercial disputes
All kinds of general business disputes such supplier agreements, partnership arrangements
Franchising
Franchising disputes in any industry or sector between franchisor and franchisee
Tenancy & leasing
Commercial, retail and residential disputes including strata and by-law issues, rent increases, outgoings and lease renewals
Workplace
Employment disputes and workplace conflicts
Intellectual property
Resolve IP issues in the music, performing and visual arts industries and media
Building & construction
Preserve builder/clients relationships on projects large or small
Victoria-Anne Davidson
NMAS Accredited Mediator | Lawyer
After graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in 1994 and working in the publishing industry in Sydney and London, I returned home to study and obtained a Bachelor of Laws at UNSW in 2002. I was fortunate to gain a graduate placement with Blake Dawson Waldron where I mainly engaged in corporate advice and acquisition work, cementing my legal skills. In 2009 I took a legal counsel position at the Sydney Opera House. It was exhilarating to again work in a creative industry and working in-house gave me a deeper understanding of commercial and workplace pressures.
In 2011 I left legal practice to manage my husband’s podiatry business The Foot Group, which has two clinics in Sydney’s north. Running our own business, dealing with all aspects required to be commercially successful, has given me unique insight into what drives business decision making.
Having recently undertaken Mediation Training at the Resolution Institute and attaining NMAS accreditation I feel my education, training and experience have culminated in my mediation work. With my career as a lawyer in both corporate and in-house settings, and in a decade of small business, I bring a rich blend of professional skills, personal disciplines and life experiences to any commercial mediation setting.