Like almost everyone across the political spectrum in the US (and most of the world), I am appalled by Trump’s smarmy, self-serving, incompetent and cowardly behavior in Helsinki, before that at the NATO summit and in the UK, and since.

I am appalled because Trump is once again saying it’s all Obama and Clinton ‘s fault, while he is wonderful, and so is Putin.

I am appalled because Trump yet again equated the effort to uncover what really happened in the last election with a…

The Franken Challenge

From the moment the Weinstein scandal broke, followed shortly by a host of others, I expected that someone I have admired, identified with, or liked would soon be identified as a sexual predator. I anticipated that would be a test for me of my convictions and determination to confront sexual violence everywhere.  In a sense I was waiting for the Al Franken shoe to drop—and it did.  This provides the painful but essential opportunity…

Professional Protectionism and Legal Reform. [1]

Our legal system, our courts and in particular our family courts are facing a major crisis.  Fewer and fewer people can afford full legal representation.  As a result, more and more litigants are forced to represent themselves in court.  The numbers are staggering—over 50%, and in some urban courts closer to 80%, of family litigants appear without counsel, as do 30-50% of…

Response to AFCC-Ontario’s Comments on the Bonkalo Report

Submitted By Bernie Mayer[1]

Kingsville, Ontario

June 28, 2017 (Revised, August 10, 2017)

I want to thank the AFCC-O Board for providing me an opportunity to respond to the Chapter’s statement on the Bonkalo report.  Those of you who heard my talk at the AFCC…

Professional Protectionism and Legal Reform. [1]

Our legal system, our courts and in particular our family courts are facing a major crisis.  Fewer and fewer people can afford full legal representation.  As a result, more and more litigants are forced to represent themselves in court.  The numbers are staggering—over 50%, and in some urban courts closer to 80%, of family litigants appear without counsel, as do 30-50% of…

I am pleased to announce that my new book, The Conflict Paradox: Seven Dilemmas at the Core of Disputes, is now available, and I hope you will take a look at it.

The book explores how we understand the choices that…