RESUME OF

DONNA L. SILVERBERG

Owner, DS Consulting

813 SW Alder, Suite 310  Portland, OR 97205

             (503) 248-4703 phone, (503) 721-0623 fax

dsilverberg@cnnw.net

____________________________________________________________

EDUCATION

University of San Diego School of Law - J.D., 1990.

The London Program, Institute for International & Comparative Law - Summer 1989.   

Oxford University, Institute for International & Comparative Law - Summer 1988.

Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR - B.A., Sociology 1985.

Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen,MI   Major: Theatre

EXPERIENCE

DS Consulting: Dispute Resolution, Consensus Building, Mediation/Facilitation and Training Services, Owner/Principal - Portland, OR    1998-Present

Providing consultation and direct services to help government and other agencies manage and resolve contentious issues between agencies or the public.  Drawing on a well of experience working in and with local, state, and federal government, services are tailored to the particular needs of a given agency or group.  Because of a strong training background, all services are provided with the intent of improving the participants’ ability to understand and manage future conflicts.   Recent projects: Columbia River Regional Forum—providing facilitation and conflict management services for multi-party discussions related to endangered salmon recovery and hydro-power operations in the Columbia River. Conservation Incentives Task Force: provided conflict resolution services to a diverse, legislatively mandated policy-dialogue group who reached consensus on bill language related to incentives for private property owners to do conservation efforts on their land.  Process involved local, state, federal and tribal governments, resource users, conservation groups, public interest groups and private citizen groups.  The bill was passed by the 2003 Legislative Assembly and signed by the Governor.

Acting Director, Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission Salem, OR   January – November 1997

Responsibilities included: all fiscal, staffing, lobbying, and administrative leadership for a seven member, Governor appointed state commission.  Provided advice and consultation to the Governor, legislators, dispute resolution organizations, the state bar and others regarding dispute resolution legislation.  Testified to legislature on behalf of Governor and Commission sponsored bills.  Worked with national and state leaders to encourage appropriate use of alternative means of dispute resolution to resolve disputes involving government and the public.

Special Assistant on Dispute Resolution—Office of the Governor, John Kitzhaber, MD Salem, OR         January 1996 - January 1997

Responsibilities included: advising the Governor, his advisors, and directors of the state’s natural resource agencies on dispute resolution and collaborative approaches to problem solving.  Provided analysis on dispute resolution rules, proposed legislation and other matters for the Governor and his legal counsel.  Provided mediation and facilitation services to state agencies.  Managed $400,000 of dispute resolution grant funds for both the Governor and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

Public Policy Coordinator--Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission Salem, OR.  February 1994 – August 1998

(On rotation to Governor’s Office, then Acting Director)

Public Policy Coordinator -- Responsibilities included: developing the state’s Public Policy Dispute Resolution Program.  Provided dispute resolution expertise, policy analysis, consultative services, system design and training to state agencies and local governments in the State of Oregon.  Initiated and provided technical assistance and project evaluation for the Oregon Dispute Resolution Commission, the Governor and his staff, the Attorney General, and agencies. Managed grant funds and selected and administered mediators for complex, multi-party public policy disputes involving state agencies and local governments.

ADR Vantage, Inc. Washington, DC  1993 - Present

Consultant -- Providing consultation to communities, employers and governments. Providing community based strategies for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal laws.  Promoting mediation services and/or conflict management skills training to resolve conflicts arising out of federal laws.  Training mediators and advocates in ADA related issues.  Expertise in consensus-building strategies and designing dispute resolution systems for governments and communities.

Assistant Director--Center for Municipal Dispute Resolution, University of San Diego / City of San Diego      1990 - January 1994

Assistant Director -- Responsibilities included: All phases of administration of mediations between the City of San Diego and its citizens; Dispute resolution systems design; Mediation skills training, cultural sensitivity workshops and community outreach programs; Administering and overseeing a law school clinical mediation and intern program; Coordinating training and preparation of over 65 volunteer mediators; and Preparing and making presentations to local, state and national organizations. 

Mediator/facilitator -- Mediated more than 300 land-use, public policy, human resource and community disputes between the City of San Diego, employees, and private or commercial landowners. Acted as a third party neutral in complex public policy issues involving elected officials, department representatives, management, staff and community members. 

Consultant -- Worked with the Disability Services Coordinator, the ADA Task Force and the ADA Citizens Advisory Committee of the City of San Diego to design and implement a complaint form and dispute resolution system to resolve ADA complaints.  Trained and worked with potential mediators of these issues; Worked with the City Treasurer and her staff to design and implement an administrative hearings program for parking violations in the City of San Diego.  Included writing a handbook for hearings officers, selecting and training hearing officers and providing initial evaluation of the program.

American Arbitration Association Center for Mediation San Diego, CA 1991 - 1994

Mediator -- Member of the "Blue Ribbon Mediator" panel of third party neutrals.  Mediated commercial and real property matters at the request of parties.   

San Diego Mediation Center                                                                           1988 - 1994

Consultant -- Coordinated a Small Claims Court mediation program.  Designed a juvenile court mediation program for child custody and reunification cases.   

Volunteer Mediator -- Mediated complex multi-party mediations referred by Superior Court judges and community issues referred by community members.   Mediated 200+ cases involving commercial, family, real estate, contracts, land use, construction, development, landlord-tenant, employment, temporary restraining orders, domestic relations, noise, neighborhood and other issues.  

Fredman, Silverberg and Lewis, Inc. - San Diego, CA. 1988 - 1989

Law Clerk -- Researched and wrote legal briefs, memoranda and drafted pleadings on corporate and land-use matters.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

State Bar of California, admitted 1991, inactive status as of 1996. 

Oregon Mediation Association.  Board Member 1998-2005, OMA Board President 2002-2004, member since 1994.

Association for Conflict Resolution (Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution), Regular Member, 1991-present.

Co-Chair, Environmental and Public Disputes Sector, 1999-2001.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the San Diego County Bar Association, Co-Chair, 1992.

Founding Member, California Dispute Resolution Council, 1993.

Founding Member, International Association of Public Participation Practitioners, San Diego Chapter, 1992.