ELISA FORD, MEDIATOR, ATTORNEY

Elisa Ford, J.D. (UW ’04), B.A. (UCSC ’99), is a WMAC certified mediator and licensed attorney, passionate about the opportunity for more meaningful and lasting solutions through self-determination and collaboration. She is a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association, Washington Mediation Association, King County Bar Association (ADR and Collaborative Law Sections), Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), and Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM).

Elisa comes to mediation following nearly two decades in legal practice, most recently as an immigration attorney representing clients in complex humanitarian and family-based cases, including appeals. This cross-cultural work has deeply informed Elisa’s approach to mediation, including an emphasis on unpacking assumptions and creating space for different styles of communication.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Elisa currently volunteers as a mediator with the Pierce County Center for Dialogue and Resolution (CDR) and the King County Dispute Resolution Center (KCDRC). Elisa has also provided pro bono legal work through the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project (CARA), the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and One America. Elisa previously served as Vice-Chair on the Board of The Sophia Way (serving unhoused women in East King County), on the Legal Committee of the Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, and as Chair of the Pro Bono Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association of Washington (AILA-WA).

EDUCATION:

• J.D., University of Washington School of Law (UW), with a Certificate in Environmental Law, 2004;

• B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), Economics and Environmental Studies Combined, 1999 (incl. a year of study abroad at University of Amsterdam (UvA)); and

• Clerk/Externship Experience:

  • Clerk for the Honorable Judge Robin Hunt, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, 2004; and

  • Extern for Honorable Administrative Judge Zulema Hinojos Falls, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Spring 2003- Fall 2004.

MEDIATION CERTIFICATIONS AND ADVANCED TRAINING*

• Certified Mediator (“WMAC”)- Washington Mediation Association

• Certified Mediator- Pierce County’s Center for Dialogue and Resolution (“CDR”)

• Certification in Mediation and Conflict Management, Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation (“PON”)

• Certification in landlord/tenant mediation through the King County Dispute Resolution Center’s (“KCDRC”) ERPP program; and

• Advanced family mediation training (examples- not a full list):

  • Co-Parenting Coaching Essentials 4-day intensive ‘24, Karen Bonnell;

  • High Conflict Party Training, Bill Eddy;

  • Pierce County’s Center for Dialogue and Resolution Practicum- Family Mediation;

  • 40-hour Divorce Mediation Training, Divorce Training Mediation Associates (an APFM approved provider);

  • APFM’s Conference Series (2023)

  • WSBA 21-HR Family Law Primer CLE (2021)

• *This list is intended to give an overview, and does not capture all of the advanced training of the provider.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

• Washington State Bar Association (Member since 2004);

  • Section on Alternative Dispute Resolution (Member);

• Maryland Judiciary (licensed to practice law in Maryland since 2006);

• Washington Mediation Association (Certified Mediator);

• King County Bar Association

  • Sections on ADR and Collaborative Law;

• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) (National and WA Chapter); and

• Academy of Professional Family Mediators.