MEDIATION TODAY Vesna Flower CVJETICANIN

Jahan KALANTAR is my guest in this episode. Jahan tells about himself:

"I currently practice as a Partner at the firm Executive Law Group where I head up the criminal law team. In this role, I call upon my time as an advocate and a barrister from the Private Bar. My current practice focuses mostly on mental health, human rights, criminal law and commercial law. Prior to being called to the bar, I was an experienced statistical specialist with broad experience in all aspects of corporate governance, econometric and data visualization and representation including dealing and trading. This also included time spent looking at contracts, commercial transactions and the interrelationship they had with the banking sector and small-large businesses. I was lucky enough to talk at Tedx Sydney and give my talk on the importance of communication and I sometimes appear in the Media to discuss issues close to my heart!"

Kristy ELLIOTT

I am excited to say that today’s episode addresses a topic we haven’t touched till now: mediation in our schools. But,
let me first say a few words about my guest.

Kristy completed a Bachelor of Education in 2000,
followed by a Masters in applied positive psychology. As founder and director of Restorative Pathways, Kristy supports schools to create relational, thriving school cultures using the science of wellbeing, and restorative approaches to relationship management.

My guest in Mediation Today is Dr Samantha HARDY.  

Samantha holds a PhD in Law and Conflict Resolution,
as well as other postgraduate qualifications in education.

She has been accredited as a mediator under the Australian National Mediation System and is a Certified Transformative Mediator by the US Institute of Conflict Transformation. 

She is a Certified Narrative Coach Practitioner, an experienced conflict coach and the founder of the REAL Conflict Coaching System.

Anna has three decades of experience in conflict management and has in depth knowledge of the range of processes including Restorative Justice facilitation, and a special interest in coaching and supervision. 

Anna is a Resolution Institute Fellow, a leading trainer in the field in New Zealand (Lead Trainer with Resolution Institute), an experienced mediator, facilitator and supervisor in the areas of education, community, workplace, family disputes and commercial issues. 

Anna lives in Auckland with her family and is an avid cyclist, walker and ocean swimmer. The interview touches on each of these towards the end of the podcast episode.

Lara BISHKOV is a lawyer and mediator from Sydney, NSW, Australia. She was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1994 after graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics. Lara has practised across State and Federal Courts as a litigator, representing national clients and NSW and Commonwealth Government agencies, providing legal and claims management advice.

Lara’s natural interest in litigation and systems for dispute resolution drew her towards mediation. In 2012 Lara trained as a Mediator and became accredited under the National Mediator Accreditation System
through the Law Society of New South Wales.

Lara’s mediation clients range from multinational corporations, residential colleges, private entities and she was appointed as a
sessional Mediator to the Personal Injury Commission of NSW in 2022.

Nina Harding was named Australian Mediator of the Year 2022 at the recent Australasian Law Awards. Nina has over 25 years experience in resolving business and public interest disputes. Nina is a law graduate and has a Master of Laws.  She has mediated over 2,500 disputes.  Nina is a nationally accredited Mediator and a recognised expert in the area of dispute resolution. In addition to mediating disputes, Nina facilitates large meetings and also teaches Mediation, Dispute Resolution and Complaint Handling workshops.  She regularly speaks at conferences and has taught thousands of people how to negotiate more effectively and resolve conflict.  Nina Harding has lectured at numerous universities in Australia and overseas.