Bio: Barbara Ann Davis, PLLC

Barbara Ann Davis - mediation - collaborative law - Asheville NC - Western North Carolina
Photo by Lisa Sarasohn

EDUCATION

University of Florida School of Law, Gainesville, Florida,
JD (Juris Doctor), 1977
Activities/Honors: Writing Honors, Dean's List, Criminal Law Intern

University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
BA in Interpersonal Communications Studies, 1974
Magna Cum Laude with highest honors
Activities/Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Regent Scholar, President's List, Women's Honor Society

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

Barbara Ann Davis, PLLC -- Private Mediation, Collaborative Law & Consulting Practice, Asheville, NC,
1997 to present

  • Mediation services for individuals and organizations (including family, business, worker' s comp, employment, special needs, personal injury and community cases)
  • Collaborative Law legal representation for clients wanting to resolve issues without court, by agreement
  • Meeting Facilitation services – design meeting Agendas and facilitate meetings (intra-agency policy change, city- and county-wide public input and planning, strategic planning for businesses or nonprofits)
  • Training Seminars – design and lead conflict resolution, Mediation, communication skills, Collaborative Law educational seminars for individuals, businesses, schools, government agencies
  • Adjunct Professor: Resolving Conflict Through Mediation, Warren Wilson College

Asheville-Buncombe VISION, 2003 - 2004

  • Coordinate Community Dialogues on Housing and Facilitator Training Workshops
  • Recruit, train and supervise volunteer meeting facilitators and student intern
  • Plan town hall community meetings for public input, including public speaking

University of North Carolina, Campus Mediation Center Coordinator (Asheville) Adjunct Professor (Charlotte and Asheville),
1995 - 2002

  • Teach undergraduate and graduate level Mediation course in Sociology, Political Science and Public & Health Administration depts.
  • Facilitate departmental conflict resolution sessions for internal and external disputes; design and lead inter- and intra-departmental training workshops for faculty, administration and staff
  • Train and supervise volunteer student and staff mediators

The Mediation Center, Asheville, NC, Founding Executive Director, 1984-1992 & Outreach Director, 1992-1997

  • Oversee staff and volunteers of nonprofit community dispute settlement center, manage daily operations, and coordinate with Board of Directors
  • Facilitate dispute resolution meetings regarding neighborhood issues and local planning efforts (placement of group home, neighborhood concerns about industry noise, church parking lot expansion, etc.)
  • Conduct training workshops: including developing materials and site-specific role plays (for county employees, school teachers/administrators, corporations, U.S. Forest Service, nonprofits, ...)

Pisgah Legal Services, Asheville, NC, Staff Attorney for low income clients in civil cases in 5-county area, Family Law Supervisor, 1979-1983

Office of the Public Defender, Gainesville, FL, Assistant P. D. providing legal representation for low income clients in criminal cases in 3-county area, Misdemeanor Division Supervisor, 1977-1979

Summer jobs including: Florida Dept. of Insurance, lumber sales clerk, donut shop waitress, 1968-1971

CERTIFICATIONS

Mediation Network of N.C. Community Mediator1992
N.C. Superior Court Mediator and Mediation Trainer 1995
U.S. Federal Court Mediator 1995
N.C. Dept. of Mental Health Mediator for Special Needs Children 1996
N.C. Industrial Commission Mediator (Workers' Comp)1997
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Mediator1998
N.C. Family Financial Settlement Mediator1999
N.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Mediator/Arbitrator2003
N.C. Permanency Mediator (parental rights) 2007
N.C. Agriculture Mediator2007
U.S. Postal Service REDRESS Mediator 2008
Institute of Cultural Affairs - Technology of Participation Facilitator2009

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

  • Licensed to practice law in North Carolina since 1979, Member No. 8721

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

INTERESTING THINGS I'VE DONE

  • Participated in Asheville Synergy Story Slam on the spur of the moment in 2011, and won!
  • In 2003, I rode my bicycle across the United States – from the Atlantic Ocean in St. Augustine Florida to the Pacific Ocean in San Diego, California. It took 51 days, and 3,000 miles, and was one of the most challenging and amazing journeys in my life. This was a self-organized group, just 5 women, and we raised funds – nearly $30,000 - for women's cancer programs in our local communities.
  • Guitar player in a contra-dance band
  • Cape Breton step dancer ... kind of a cross between Irish step dancing (like River Dance), clogging and tap dancing, but cooler
  • Raspberry grower

Counselor-at-law / dispute resolution professional with heart.
A calm presence amidst the turbulent sea of life.