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Contact Shari M Capra

Family, Mental Health, Elder, and Probate Matters

SHARI M. CAPRA, Esq., has over thirty years of professional experience in the areas of family, mental health, elder, & probate law. Ms. Capra now concentrates her energies in the field of private mediation. She also serves as a legal consultant for clients who are participating in mediation. On a regular basis Ms. Capra assists couples going through the marital dissolution process, parents wishing to develop effective parenting arrangements, business associates seeking to redefine their goals and operations, families seeking assistance with placement & healthcare arrangements for an elderly or incapacitated family member and people addressing the details of estate planning and end of life care plans for themselves and loved ones. Ms. Capra meets with clients in person, by telephone and via electronic mail.

Shari M. Capra, P.C., Phoenix, Arizona, 1999-Present. Mediation and Law Office of Shari M. Capra, Phoenix,Arizona, 1986-1999.

Consulting Mediator with Mediation Associates, Inc., 1986-1994.

Partner, Capra & Beckett, 1981-1985.

Partner, Venable, Rice, Lee & Capra, 1975-1981.

Judge and Commissioner Pro Tempore, Maricopa County Superior Court, 1988-Present. (Assigned to Probate and Mental Health Division).

Judge Pro Tempore, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One (Department E), 1985.

Recognized as an Advanced Practitioner Member by the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), a national organization of dispute resolution professionals), Ms. Capra is active in a number of professional associations which promote mediation and other alternative dispute resolution services in the community. She is a current board member and former president of The Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators, a former board member of the Arizona Association for Conflict Resolution and she is a regular participant in the Maricopa County Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Program [assigned to the probate and family law sections]. Ms. Capra prepared for her role as a mediator and facilitator by completing a two year training program developed by The Win-Win Institute of Phoenix, Arizona, as well as specialized course work with Dr. John Haynes, co-founder of the Academy of Family Mediators, and other professional mediation programs.

Education:
J.D., Arizona State University College of Law, 1975.
B.A., summa cum laude, Arizona State University, 1972.

Bar Admissions:
State of Arizona, 1975.
United States Supreme Court, 1980.
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1981.
United States District Court for the District of Arizona, 1975.

Ms. Capra believes that the heart of mediation and dispute resolution starts with looking at her clients' goals. The first step is a face to face conversation (if possible) with them in order to learn about their backgrounds and objectives. She then works with clients to create a path to resolution by identifying necessary information, consultants and other people who will help them make progress. Her overall approach is facilitative in nature and she also employs directive and transformative techniques where beneficial.

No charge half hour courtesy consultation. $250 per hour for mediation and related services.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Maricopa County Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Project for the Probate and Family Court Divisions (2001-Present).

Association for Conflict Resolution (AFC) (interdisciplinary national organization (1994-Present)

Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators (MCAFM), 1993-Present (President 1996-97 and 2005-2006 terms).

Arizona Dispute Resolution Association (AARC), 1988-Present (Conference Presenter 1990).

Dispute Resolution Task Force, Arizona State Supreme Court Commission on the Courts, (1988-1991).

Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution, Maricopa County Bar Association,1990-1998 (Committee Chair for Pilot Civil Mediation Project, Jan./Feb. 1993).

Chair of Conference on Settling Commercial and Business Disputes, Nov. 1988).

Arizona Women Lawyers’ Association, 1979-Present (Founding Member).

Volunteer Lawyers’ Program, Maricopa County Bar Association (former Volunteer Lawyer of the Month).

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES:

Project Civil Discourse, a non-profit organization devoted to building effective community dialogue on important issues, 2009-present

Friends of O’Connor House, Chair of Community Awareness and Civic Engagement Committee, Jan 2009 - Present

Sojourner Center, (Domestic Violence Shelter for Women & Children) founding member of Board of Directors and past President, 1978-1985.

Raising Special Kids (formerly known as Pilot Parents), 1983-Present.Financial Perspectives, Inc., founding Board Member and Officer, 1979-1985.

Marissa Theisen President, Win Win Creations Jeanne Colasanti Director, Families Embracing Handicaps Mark Goldman professional colleague and partner in Conflict Pros