JAMS Pathways Profile: Focus on Lisa Jaye

When did you realize that you would devote your life to helping people overcome conflict and similar challenges?

During my 10th year of law practice, after achieving partnership and having a few trials under my belt, I took a commercial mediation certification course. That training opened my eyes to a more holistic approach to conflict resolution. Soon after, I left private practice and joined the Ninth Circuit as a circuit mediator, mediating exclusively for the court for 18 years. After leaving the court, I continued my ADR practice with JAMS which, in addition to mediations, has also led to counseling and coaching opportunities with mediation participants who subsequently hired me to help resolve internal disputes and facilitate dialogues within their organizations after their mediations were completed. Since leaving litigation, I have never looked back and have devoted my time and energy to helping people overcome conflict.

What are your work values?

I only take on matters in which I think I can make a difference. I am thorough, hard-working and patient, and I work with integrity and transparency. I also limit the amount of cases I take so that I can provide quality service to the parties with whom I am working.

What are your (Pathways-related) areas of focus?

My experience has been working with staff, managers, boards and other leadership to resolve internal conflicts and to improve communications between individuals. I have been told that I possess high emotional intelligence, which I attribute to my ability to read the room and de-escalate tense situations.

What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the number of people I have assisted, having handled thousands of cases over the more than 25 years I have devoted to conflict resolution.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts, but on how we respond to them.