While I have engaged in the running of various small businesses, including a charter fishing business and two small independent adjusting firms, my primary means of earning a living (since 1971) has always been the settlement of personal injury claims. By 1991, my independent adjusting practice evolved into a collaborative approach to the management of catastrophic injury claims, from accident investigation, through rehab, to settlement. For that approach to work, the decision makers in the process, the examiner and the claimants (and often their families), had to have clear information, presented in a timely way, that took into account traditional expectations. That was the essence of my job.

Nine years later my daughter turned into a teenager and I was confronted with the usual challenges of a parent in that situation. I went to the Justice Institute of BC’s Conflict Resolution Program in search of an Owner’s Manual for Parents.

Their program was excellent!  Over the course of two years, it brought my understanding of communications to a new level. My daughter still talks to me, and since 2000, those I used to negotiate for and against have accepted me in the role of professional facilitator.  It’s the only way I earn income.  I find it a challenging and positive occupation.

Since mid-March 2020 I have successfully transformed from in-person to the online world.  I have a technician on call for all mediations to support participants.  His active involvement lessens as people become more familiar with the process and upgrade equipment and wifi services, as I have done.   

As of 4 April 2022, I have hosted about 300 online mediations.  The settlement rate continues to be as good as the thousands of in-person mediations I had previously done.  It’s safe.  People don’t have to travel.  The professionals have their office resources at their fingertips.  The plaintiff can be at home or at their counsel’s office.  Minimal commuting for everyone. I believe in it enough to commit to online mediation only. I am also hoping that mediation will become more accessible to communities outside the larger urban centres.  I’d love to assist with that.  

My blog is available at www.njd.ca.  For the plaintiff lawyer whose clients are usually not personal injury professionals, my mediator-to-plaintiff comments are available at https://www.njd.ca/plaintiffs.  Many plaintiffs have told me that reading this blurb in advance helped them participate constructively on the day of the mediation.  You’re welcome to email your clients the link.  The comments are available in English, Spanish, Punjabi and Chinese.  

On a non-work level I enjoy music, photography, walking, plants and good conversation.

If you want specifics of my work history my resume is available here.