“I would like to commend Barry for a very professional, intelligent and positive handling of my case … his handling of the situation was the very best anyone could expect … thus saving me thousands of dollars in legal fees.” — Joseph C. More Client Comments
Divorce Mediator, Barry Davis has been a full-time mediator since 2003 and specializes in working with divorcing couples. His passion for helping couples through this difficult time, his extensive mediation and counseling training (including two advanced degrees) and his fifteen years as a businessperson, equip him to deal with both the practical and the emotional aspects of divorce. His approach is to assist couples in working though their specific issues as constructively as possible by helping them minimize negative tactics, emphasize productive ways to make decisions and focus on the big picture (such as the best interests of the children and/or not wasting a couple’s entire net worth on a costly court battle). By utilizing a multi-faceted approach that includes identifying the couple’s true issues and concerns, facilitating productive communication and educating the couple concerning possible outcomes, Barry has been able to achieve success in the majority of mediations he facilitates.
After completing an undergraduate degree in sociology at University of California, Santa Barbara, Barry embarked on a thirteen year career in the telecommunications industry where he established a track record of success in sales management, marketing and business development with the two industry leaders, AT&T and MCI.
From 1993 – 1996, while working full-time, Barry completed an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling at Pepperdine University. As part of this training he also completed a year-long internship as a therapist at a non-profit clinic. This education and training further developed his advanced understanding of human dynamics as well as his exceptional ability to communicate and empathize with his clients.
A desire to combine his professional expertise with his interest in helping individuals, couples and groups work through destructive conflicts lead Barry to pursue a second graduate degree in Conflict Management and Peacemaking at Fresno Pacific University. As part of this degree, Barry completed well over 200 hours of direct mediation training and application and approximately 300 hours of related training and research, in areas such as conflict analysis and workplace conflict management strategies, with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Barry brings this advanced understanding of how people often deal with conflict, as well as potential pathways through the difficult issues, to every divorce mediation he facilitates.
Barry currently divides his time between his private mediation practice specializing in divorce mediation, custody mediation and family mediation and providing pro bono mediation services for both the Appellate and Superior courts as well as acting as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University.
Barry’s strong desire to give back a small portion of what he has been given translates into active involvement with numerous social service organizations throughout the greater Los Angeles area as well as internationally. He currently teaches interview skills to the homeless population in Downtown LA, mentors several at-risk boys, provides free conflict management training to charitable organizations and supports several overseas ministries. In his spare time, Barry is a whitewater rafting guide on the Kern River, a life-long skier, a PADI Advanced scuba diver and an avid world traveler.