"Thanks for your hard work....We actually had a very enjoyable Christmas...as a family. You were a big part of helping us to accomplish our goal--end a marriage without destroying our family." A.L.

"I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated the wonderful job you did dealing with my mediation....[Y]our down-to-earth, kindly manner, during the mediation also made me feel more relaxed than I had expected to be. You asked the pertinent questions that needed to be asked and commented in a gentle way. I was also doubtful that the matter could be resolved during the [time] set aside for it, but you kept the process moving so well that, lo and behold, we did get a result within that time." B.K.

"When I first called Resolution Point, I wasn't sure what to expect. What I wasn't expecting however was for Danny to answer his own phone and to take the time to talk with me right away. Beyond the impressive qualifications that Danny Burk brings to the table, the most noticeable quality about Danny is his humanity. He has a gentle and reassuring way about him, and he makes a process that can be both stressful and emotional more bearable. Danny knows how to make you feel comfortable, yet manages to keep things moving in a very professional and effective manner. If life had to take me down this road, I'm glad that it made me meet Danny and get involved with Resolution Point." A.M.

"I wanted to introduce myself as the attorney who has been retained by [one of your mediation clients] to review, and comment upon, the draft settlement agreement that you previously prepared.... I have been practicing matrimonial law for 34 years in Northern Virginia, and I...have never seen a more thorough and professionally-drafted settlement document....[Y]our name has now been put at the very top of the 'mediator referral list'...." David Duff, Esq. (www.dufflawfirm.com)

Every mediation is different and every mediator’s approach is different. Here’s what generally happens at Resolution Point:

-->Orientation Session
The first time we meet, we will have an “Orientation Session” where we will talk about the mediation process in general and the specifics of how it usually takes place at Resolution Point. We’ll talk about certain important characteristics of mediation:

Confidential (with some important exceptions). You can count on what you say during mediation not being repeated in court if you can't reach agreement.

Voluntary. Either participant can end the mediation and find alternatives to resolve some or all of the issues.

Styles of Mediation: we use “facilitative”, “directive” and “evaluative”.

Full disclosure.

Timing and costs.

-->Second Session
We’ll talk about the range of topics we’ll need to examine during the mediation sessions. You’ll make some decisions about the order in which we will discuss the issues. We'll talk in very general terms about the legal environment that might affect your case.

Much of the financial information will have already been gathered and we’ll begin to tackle some of the more pressing financial issues and decisions.

-->And The Next Sessions
At each session, the mediator will take extensive notes that you’ll read on a large screen while they’re being created. You’ll be actively involved in making sure that what you’ve said is captured accurately and completely.

Decisions will get made at your speed.

As decisions are made, especially where extensive financial analysis is involved, we’ll be using sophisticated software that will show the impact of these decisions on your short term and long term financial health. And you’ll see the results of the computer analysis on the screen as the decisions get made.

The odds are your emotions include upset, anger, disappointment and probably several others. If it helps, the other person is probably in the same position although perhaps showing it in very different ways. You obviously don’t agree on everything or you wouldn’t be in mediation in the first place. You each understand each other’s circumstances and emotions better than you’ve probably been willing to admit.

The success of mediation depends on complete and honest disclosure of relevant information and documents to each other and to the mediator. This includes providing all information and documents that usually would be available through the discovery process in a legal proceeding.

Accusations hinder the process and are not relevant to the issues to be discussed in mediation. Leave fault and blame aside. The focus of mediation is on the future.

State what you want and need, and include your intent, reasons and feelings.

Go into the mediation prepared to be respectful and courteous. This is not the place to “get even.”

Sometimes, the mediator will meet with the parties separately in a “caucus” to clarify issues. Usually, the mediator will identify those times, but you can also let everyone know when you feel a caucus would be helpful.

As you discuss concerns, treat “agreements” and “compromises” as “written in sand” until you resolve everything. It will be easier to negotiate with confidence if you know you haven’t agreed to be bound to anything until you agree to everything.

Consider dressing comfortably. Mediation is hard work!

Mediation does not replace the need for counselors or psychotherapists.

The mediation process generally works best when all participants and the mediator are in the same room. But does any of the following sound like your situation?

--One party is out of town temporarily or permanently. Maybe even all parties are away.

--One party has a problem being in the same room as another party.

--You want your attorney to participate but scheduling (or costs) prevents your attorney from physically being at the session.

With all mediations at Resolution Point, everyone is watching a large computer screen with:

--Notes of agreements made during the sessions.
--Agreement language for your consideration.
--Charts and graphs showing the short- and long-term financial affects of possible strategies.

Of course, we use one of the finest quality speakerphones with up to 4-way conference calling. But more importantly, if all participants are not in one place, we use the Internet and a couple of different computer programs to allow you to watch everything on your computer screen that you would have seen had you been in the same room!

Just because you're far apart doesn't mean you can't reach agreements!

Resolution Point’s president, Danny Burk, is an attorney licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia since 1981 and the District of Columbia since 1984.

Mr. Burk is Virginia Supreme Court certified as a family and civil court mediator and a mentor for other mediators. He is the Past-President of the Virginia Mediation Network having been on VMN's Board of Directors for the last 5 years. Mr. Burk earned his "Certificate in Family Mediation" from the Northern Virginia Mediation Service.

After taking specialized advanced courses and exams about the specialized financial issues involved in divorce matters, Mr. Burk received the title of Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

Mr. Burk was also the founder, owner and President of Compass Computer Services, Inc. from 1987 until he sold Compass in 2000. He has extensive first-hand experience with technology issues, as well as day-to-day business operations.

Mr. Burk received his JD cum laude from Cornell Law School in 1981. Mr. Burk received his Bachelor of Arts in Government from Cornell University in 1979.

In addition to his alternative dispute resolution work, Mr. Burk has been very active in the community:

-Substitute teacher and volunteer in school clinics.
-Treasurer of local Girl Scout troop and computer coordinator for local swim team.
-Coach, school coordinator and Regional Treasurer for Odyssey of the Mind program.
-Treasurer of homeowners’ association.
-Volunteer sailing instructor for disadvantaged children and adults.

Mr. Burk is also an FAA-licensed pilot with both commercial and instrument ratings.