History
In an effort to reduce the number of cases being seen in Virginia's court system, the Supreme Court of Virginia began training and certifying professional mediators in the late 1980's. Our founding President, Dave McDonald, was among the first mediators in Virginia to be trained and certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia. At the time he was working in the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney in Virginia Beach resolving conflicts between Virginia Beach citizens and businesses. Armed with extensive training in family mediation Dave opened the Mediation Center of Hampton Roads in 1992 working part-time at night while still serving the citizens of Virginia Beach. Within five years the company had grown to the point where he decided to leave the City of Virginia Beach and devote his energies to his growing company. As the largest mediation practice in Hampton Roads the company focuses on resolving conflicts for families and employees in many different areas including family law, family and elder mediation, parental abduction and employer-employee conflicts. The company also provides training in conflict management and the development of parenting skills.
Get in touch
We know that finding the right mediator to represent you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to walk you through your needs, the scope of your goals, and your budget.
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Our Team
Founder and president
David McDonald
Dave McDonald is the founding President of the Mediation Center of Hampton Roads. He was among the first mediators in Virginia to be trained and certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia in the late 1980’s and has extensive experience in family law, family and elder mediation, parental abduction and employer-employee conflict resolution. He has also handled other types of disputes including those pertaining to contractual matters as well as EEO cases for the United State Postal Service. Dave is a noted speaker on consumer and business issues and has effectively mediated and resolved more disputes in Hampton Roads than any other local mediator. In 1994, he founded the Virginia Beach and Norfolk Courts mediation programs which provide mediation services for court users in those cities. Prior to starting his company in 1992, Dave served for 18 years as a mediator for the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Dave received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master of Public Administration, with an emphasis in Conflict Resolution, from Old Dominion University. Dave has been active in his community and currently serves on the Board of the Granby YMCA and the Ghent Business Association. He is also a member of the Hampton Roads Parenting Education Network and is a coach for the New Energy Striders Youth Team. He is a former President of the Colonial Place/Riverview Civic League, a former Board member of the Friends of the Norfolk Juvenile Court and a former member of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board.
Contact David At: dave@mediationhamptonroads.com
Education
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
Bacherlor of Science, 1997
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
M.A Public Administration,1982
Bookkeeper
Lynn Marlowe
Lynn Marlowe is our bookkeeper and all around office computer expert. She studied at the University of Pittsburgh and moved to Norfolk in 1999 to be closer to family. Lynn’s passions are swimming and needlecraft. She is an avid fan of the San Antonio Spurs and knows their stats better than anyone. Lynn has always loved music, especially Rock Music and has attended over 300 concerts to date. Her biggest passion is The Who, which she has seen nearly 20 times! She is a passionate animal rights activist and dearly devoted to her neices.
Contact Lynn At: Lynn@mediationhamptonroads.com
Education
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH