Diana L. Mercer, Esq

Diana Mercer, Esq {RETIRED}

Attorney Mediator and Peace Talks Founder

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MEET DIANE

“Information is power, and it’s my job to make sure everyone has enough correct information to make a good decision for themselves. Only you know what’s best for your circumstances. My job is to make sure you’re able to get to that point.”

Diana is the founder of Peace Talks, and has now transitioned into retirement. After over 25 years as a family lawyer, including 12 years of practicing as a top divorce litigator (1988-2000), she devoted the remainder of her career solely to mediation. She conducted over 4000 mediations, and received over 450 hours of specialized, professional Family Law Mediation training. Known for her no-nonsense, solution-oriented, and down-to-earth mediation style, Diana’s influence still permeates everything that we do for our clients.

PROFESSIONAL BIO

Beginning with undergraduate and law school degrees from Indiana University, Diana’s legal career took her through Indiana and Connecticut before landing in Los Angeles. There, she completed her shift from practicing family law and divorce attorney to mediator. She created Peace Talks as a vehicle to put her mediation service into action, helping people in Southern California settle their divorces and other family law conflicts in a sane and sensible manner.

EXPERIENCE & ACCREDITATION

  • Co-Author, Your Divorce Advisor (2001) and Making Divorce Work (2010)
  • Founder, Peace Talks Mediation Services, Los Angeles, California.Visiting Faculty, Indiana University School of Law
  • Mediation Trainer, 40 hour Basic Family Law Mediation Training and 16 Hour Advanced Mediation Training
  • Founding Partner, Noyes & Mercer, P.C. New Haven, CT. Founding partner in a Family Law practice.
  • Adjunct Professor, University of LaVerne, Psy. D. Psychology Program, Conflict Resolution and Mediation
  • Adjunct Professor, Graduate Studies, University of Bridgeport, Domestic Relations
  • Family Law and Divorce Mediation Panel: Los Angeles Superior Court
  • Attorney Trial Referee, Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford at Milford, CT.
  • Mediation Program, Regional Family Trial Court

MEDIATION TRAINING

  • Special Masters Training, 60-hour program completed 1994
  • 40 Hour Divorce Mediation Certificate, Mosten Mediation Training
  • Advanced Mediation Training, Mosten Mediation Training
  • 25 Hour Mediation Training, Centinela Valley Juvenile Diversion Training
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel Training, Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • 25 Hour Advance Mediation Training, Pepperdine University, 2001
  • 16 Hour Advanced Family Mediation Training, Los Angeles, County Bar Association Dispute Resolution Services, December 12-13, 2003 (assistant instructor)
  • 16 Hour Advanced Family Mediation Training, Indiana Association of Mediators, September 26-27, 2008, with Robert Benjamin

PERSONAL BIO

Diane is the co-author of Making Divorce Work: 8 Essential Keys to Resolving Conflict and Rebuilding Your Life (Penguin 2010); and Your Divorce Advisor: A Lawyer and A Psychologist Guide You Through the Legal and Emotional Landscape of Divorce (Simon & Schuster, 2001).