Consultant

I have a 38 year career in the Canadian institutional, commercial industrial construction industry. I worked my way up through the operations side of the industry holding positions of superintendent, project manager, cheif estimator, vice president and president, where I owned and managed a $750 million contracting company. I have deep operational experience in fixed price, design build, construction managment and P3 contracts as well as bidding and tendering work. In Ontario, I am a certified adjudicator under the new Construction Act and an expert on prompt payment and adjudication. 


Loopstra Nixon LLP

Alan is an accomplished and versatile professional, with a strong background in business litigation.  A substantial portion of his practice has focused on the transportation and logistics industry for over 15 years, including commercial disputes, casualty claims, and product liability issues. Alan is a member of the bars of Ontario (2006) and British Columbia (2006).


Gilbertson Davis LLP, Arbitration & Mediation Chambers

David Alderson, LL.B (Osgoode), LL.M (Lond.) Commercial and CorporateQualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb) - Commercial Arbitrator and MediatorExperienced Sole Arbitrator and Panel ArbitratorHourly Rate:from $450.00 per hour, plus facilities and applicable taxes. Background David accepts appointments as a commercial arbitrator and international commercial arbitrator, at reasonable hourly rates and with good availability. David has acted as counsel in both domestic and international arbitration, including institutional andad hocarbitration. He has been nominated as a sole arbitrator and arbitraion ...


Alexandra grew up in a small bilingual town in Northern Ontario. She attended the University of Western Ontario and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish. She continued her studies at the University of Western Ontario Law School. Alexandra completed her year of articling in Stratford and fell in love with the beautiful City where she continues to live with her husband, and their young son.She was called to the bar in 2002 and has been a lawyer in Stratford since that time. She became a sole practitioner in 2006 and has built a successful law practice.Alexandra practices in the ...


Allan is the President and CEO of ADR Chambers, the largest, private alternative dispute resolution service provider in the world. ADR Chambers has administered over 55,000 mediations and arbitrations since 2012.Allan is a mediator, arbitrator, negotiation consultant, facilitator, trainer, and ADR systems design specialist. Allan is both a Chartered Mediator (C.Med.) and a Chartered Arbitrator (C.Arb.). He has mediated two-party and multi-party disputes in numerous contexts, including commercial, employment, corporate governance, workplace, banking, personal injury, sports, entertainment and ...


AUC Resolutions Consulting

Amanda M. Ung is a seasoned executive with over twenty-five years of experience in leadership, management, and consulting within the healthcare sector and pharmaceutical industry. Building on this foundation, she has expanded her practice to include arbitration and mediation, bringing a principled, pragmatic, and client-tailored approach to dispute resolution. Known for her professionalism and neutrality, Amanda skillfully guides parties in complex, high-conflict multi-party matters. Drawing on her expertise in health law, public policy, and stakeholder relations, she assists the parties in ...


Capstone Mediation Services

Angela is the owner and operator of Capstone Mediation Services. As a former police officer, Angela has years of experience in conflict resolution and court proceedings. We communicate with clients to get at the root of the issue and work collaboratively so clients experience an efficient and cost effective mediation where people feel they have more control over the outcome than what a court can offer.


Partner, Koskie Minsky LLP


bd Investigations

id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> style='position:absolute;left:0;text-align:left;margin-left:326.45pt; margin-top:1.9pt;width:155.1pt;height:165.5pt;z-index:251662336;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0; mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute; mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute; ...


Principal, Bechtel ADR Inc.

Lura H. Bechtel, Principal at Bechtel ADR Inc., is a qualified arbitrator and experienced laywer based inToronto, providing confidential and efficient resolution of employment, executive compensation and commercial disputes. With 20 years of diversified legal experience in law firm and in-house settings, Ms. Bechtel has deep expertise in workplace disputes, employment law, commercial and employment litigation, corporate transactions and governance. She has special expertise in financial services and US-Canadian cross-border matters, making her an excellent choice as a neutral for complex ...


Besunder Dispute Resolution


Owner, Boutet Family Law and Mediation

AboutNathalie Boutet brings over 34 years of legal expertise and over 30years of mediation experience to her practice. A former Deputy Judge of theOntario Small Claims Court for three decades, Nathalie is fluent in English andFrench and holds Civil Law and Common Law degrees from Laval University and theUniversity of Western Ontario. She is among a distinguished few Canadianlawyers certified as a Family Enterprise Advisorâ„¢.Nathalie understands the intricate dynamics of business and familyinterplay. Her unique perspective enhances her ability to mediate disputeswhere personal relationships and ...


Angela A. Bradley Workplace Investigation and Mediation


Mediate.ca - Brannigan ADR

Colm Brannigan has been an independent mediator and arbitrator for over 20 years.Colm works with clients and their lawyers to manage and resolve disputes in a timelyand efficient manner using mediation, med-arb and arbitration. Basedin the GTA, Colm has a province wide practice and is an acknowledged expert inthe use of the innovative med-arb process and online dispute resolution.Colm's recognizes that clients need results for the time, money and effort they spend on dipsute resolution in order to help them feel comfortable with both process and outcome.Colm works collaboratively and ...


As an Arbitrator and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner, I am driven by the key principles of professionalism, fairness and transparency. My unique breadth of expertise across social service, health, developmental services, justice and education sectors gives me a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing both the public sector and the not-for-profit sector in these domains.My extensive work in labour relations and unionized environments serves as a scaffold for my skills in labour arbitration.   


WeirFoulds LLP

JeffCowan practices litigation law with emphasis in public and real estate law. Heappears regularly before tribunals and all courts with particular emphasis inthe fields of land use planning, development, municipal and environmental law,and all aspects of real property law, including acquisition, leasing and leaseinterpretation, expropriation, valuation, contracts for purchase and sale,boundary and ownership disputes, municipal assessment and property taxation andland claims by First Nations. He has been counsel to provincial ministries andadministrative tribunals, municipalities, ratepayers’ ...


Crista’s drive to create sustainable success in entrepreneurial endeavours, especially those with a social purpose, is based on understanding how innovation flourishes, how marketing creates value and how teams build success through open and confident communications and relationships.As a business advisor with founders and co-founders at University of Waterloo’s Velocity Garage and The Problem Lab, Crista helps sustainable and social impact companies identify market fit, target markets and key messaging to support a strategic entry to market. She is also a sessional professor at Conestoga ...


Family Mediator, South Simcoe Family Mediation

Jennifer Curry is an accredited Family Mediator with over two decades of experience working in front line socialservice settings, specializing in family law matters and client issueresolution. She mediates in all areas of family law including parenting plans,support, and equalization of net family property. Jenniferalso holds certifications in Parenting Coordination, Arbitration and is a Voiceof the Child Practitioner.Through her experience supporting families going throughthe family court system, Jennifer has seen firsthand the devastation thatdivorce, and litigation can have on families. ...


Lawyer, Mediator, Dervaitis Loch Law Professional Corporation

Rebecca Dervaitis Loch, B.A., M.A., LLB., is a mediator at Dervaitis Loch Law Professional Corporation in Toronto, and mediates across Ontario both virtually and in-person.She offers half day (3 hour) mediations at the roster rate, as determined by the Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as full day (7 hour) and hybrid (5 hour) mediation sessions. Rebecca is also a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario and was called to the bar in 2007.Prior to opening her mediation and litigation practice, Rebecca was a partner at a boutique Toronto law firm practicing exclusively in the area ...


Owner/Founder, Paul Di Clemente Workplace Investigations


As a seasoned commercial, people and operations executive with over 20 years of experience, I have delivered exceptional results across a range of industries, including digital health, health-tech, technology/software, professional services, non-profit, and manufacturing. My career has spanned Senior Leadership and C-Level roles, across start-ups and Fortune 1000 organizations, where I have built high-performance teams, cultivated inclusive and respectful work environments, and driven innovation and growth. Functional expertiese includes: commercial and employee/consultant contracting, ...


Manager, Employee & Labour Relations, The City of Mississauga


Over 35 years of experience in negotiations, claims settlements, Performance Management, Dispute/Conflict Resolution & Restoration, Workplace Fairness Analysis, Organizational Development, organization and manpower Performance Management, Business Strategy, Program Development, harmonization of multi- cultural multi- ethnicity manpower, Executive, Corporate and Shareholders, etc. (www.adrbridge.com)


Agent, TrilliumWest Real Estate Brokerage

Hello my name is Jenni, I have experience in both family and buisness dispute resolution. I became interested in alternative dispute resolutionwhile helping divorcing families with Estate related issues, while working as a Real Estate professional in the Waterloo region. I am well rounded having educated to understand the complexites of divorce as well property disposition. I look forward to meeting with you 


Synergetic Workplaces Consulting Incorporated


King City, ON

Arbitrator/Mediator, Arbitration Place

The Honourable Gloria Epstein practised generalcivil litigation at two large Toronto law firms before starting her own firm,Gloria J. Epstein & Associates in 1985. She was appointed to the OntarioSuperior Court of Justice in 1993, to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in 2007,and became a supernumerary judge in 2015. In 2018, she retired from the Courtof Appeal to accept an appointment from the Toronto Police Services Board tolead the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Persons Investigations. InJuly of 2021, Gloria received her Mediator Accreditation from the London Schoolof Mediation, ...


Founder and President, The Jo-Ann Fennessey Centre Inc.

Jo-Ann is a bilingual ethicist (M.A. public ethics), jurist (LL.B.) and counsellor (S.C.) with over forty years of experience in workplace conflict. She is also a qualified executive coach specializing in coaching abrasive leaders, a trauma informed workplace investigator certified in advanced techniques, a trainer, mediator and facilitator. Before founding The Jo-Ann Fennessey Centre Inc., a consulting firm specializing in workplace conflict, Jo-Ann worked for both municipal and federal governments for more than 20 years and, as a private consultant in conflict management and crisis ...


Margot Ferguson - Mediation and Arbitration Services


Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99" LatentStyleCount="376"> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> Name="index 1"/> ...


Genge Construction Adjudications and Consulting

Jerry is a Chartered Arbitrator, Qualified Mediator, ODACC Adjudicator, and Professional Engineer specializing in construction disputes and professional negligence claims.  He has an advanced certificate as an adjudicator for administrative boards and tribunals and more than 45 years experience.  Jerry believes that a quick, thorough, and cost effective resolution is teh best solution to all disputes.  Jerry also provide Early Nuetral Evaluations to assess the merits of a claim or defense.  GengeGerald@gmail.com 416.200.2651


Lyon Gilbert Dispute Resolution Services

Lyon Gilbert is a Chartered Arbitrator, a Chartered Mediator, a Deputy Judge Small Claims Court and a retired lawyer who specialized in civil litigation. Lyon is a seasoned ADR professional who brings a solid background of legal experience as well as ADR skills to assist in the settlement of disputes. Known for his principled approach to the mediation process, Lyon has conducted thousands of mediations, and adjudicated thousands of disputes.Principal of Out of Court, a dispute resolution company offering alternatives to court actions. Called to the Bar in Ontario in 1974. Active Deputy Judge ...


Nasrin Haji CPA, Civil and Family Mediator, WFA


Canadian Transportation Agency


Dispute Resolution Management Centre


Harrison ADR Professional Corporation


Janine Higgins

My practice is now primarily training, speaking and acting as a life coach.


Director & Lead Consultant, Third Way Conflict Specialists

Kathleen Hilchey specializes in resolving bullying and harassment situations. As a conflict coach and mediator, her typical clients are students, teachers, administrators, camping staff, mental health professionals, and youth-based organizations. Additionally, she delivers conflict management training to people who work with youth. Kathleen uses a wide range of methods - mediation, Restorative Justice, and also her own process (Cooperative Conflict Coaching) to resolve situations that seem unresolvable. Kathleen's methods are always rooted in honouring all parties’ voices, and she believes ...


Marvin J. Huberman, Barrister, Mediator, Chartered Arbitrator


Accountant Jen

Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified General Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner and mediator, Jennifer focuses her virtual mediation practice on financial disputes. 


University of Waterloo

Comprehensive Mediator


Principal, Rockwood Consulting


Ron Kanter Dispute Resolution


Principal, Karrass Law

Robert is a mediator, arbitrator, litigator, and educator. As the founder of Karrass Law, he takes a fair, thoughtful, and results-driven approach to resolving disputes, combining strong problem-solving skills with a commitment to achieving successful outcomes.Robert Karrass earned his J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2013 where he received the Kenneth Gibson Morden Memorial Prize for standing highest in the subject of Evidence.His practice includes mediation and arbitration of complex civil, commercial, and family disputes. Since 2012, he has been engaged in dispute resolution, bringing ...


Executive and Team Coach, Mediator, Kaufman Consulting

Specifically trained in group and systems dynamics, I help all parties have their voices heard. I ensure there is ample space for even the most marginalized voice, and help all parties discover and speak from voices they didn't know they had. From there, I work with the group to identify needs, wants, fears, concerns, and desires that have not been met. I encourage and guide the parties to co-create a way forward. Through co-creation, everyone has a say and everyone has a vested interest in maintaining and supporting the new way forward. The connection is strengthened through this process and ...


Lawyer, Droit Légal Inc.

Please check my Linkedin Profile I do only online services. 


Kith & Kin Counselling Services and Parenting Coordination


Lawyer and Mediator, Langan Law and Mediation

Aoife is an Attorney, Lawyer and Mediator. She is personable, skilled and diligent in her work. She is creative in her proposals, focused on idea generation, respectful communication, issue narrowing and tactful thought process, towards compromise, reasonableness and practicality. Her Mediation approach is facilitative and transformative. Aoife is mindful of client’s needs and interests and of the value of time, throughout the Lawsuit. She respects that for all clients, time is always of the essence. Aoife is a leader and has Mediated on an array of matters, including Civil Litigation, Slip ...


PL & Associates


Independent Consultant

Fostering sanctuary & well-being: in relationships, in community, & across institutions.About As a past social services Executive Director, I’ve collaborated with funders, staff, boards, volunteer teams, and community members (including program recipients), to stabilize three charitable nonprofits and prepare them for sustainable growth. Together, we clarified purpose, prioritized strategic tasks, recovered from financial crisis, stabilized funding, retooled policies, fortified each other, strengthened agency relationships, upgraded facilities, developed participant-informed programs, ...


Loudon Mediations

A Senior Litigation Lawyer and Collaborative Mediator with extensive expertise in disability and life insurance litigation. Known for adding significant value by combining legal proficiency, industry knowledge, and business acumen to influence key stakeholder decisions. Applies objectivity, sound judgement, and negotiation skills to successfully resolve insurance disputes. Cultivates enduring relationships with clients, colleagues, and counsel through honesty, integrity, and commitment to excellence. Excellent listener and communicator with an interest in helping people identify ...


Breakthrough Mediation Solutions Inc.


Partner, DMG Advocates LLP

Kathryn is a Founding Partner of DMG Advocates LLP, a Toronto-based commercial litigation boutique. She has broad expertise in all aspects of commercial litigation, particularly complex, multi-party litigation matters. Representing both organizations and individuals, her experience includes shareholder disputes, product liability litigation, complex contract disputes, civil fraud proceedings, employment litigation, professional negligence, and class actions.Representing clients both in the Ontario courts and in commercial arbitration proceedings, Kathryn provides her clients with practical, ...


Lawyer, Masgras Professional Corporation

Georgiana is a dedicated and passionate lawyer who is the sole founder of Masgras Professional Corporation. She has focused her practice in seeking justice and compensation for those who have suffered from personal injuries. She has long had an interest for the law and helping those who have been wronged and have suffered as a consequence.Georgiana is Internationally Certified in Impairment and Disability Rating based on the AMAGuides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th ed.by the American Board of Forensic Professionals and is currently enrolled in the CIP Program with the ...


Ethics - Empathy - ExpertiseNavigating Disputes with Grace


Mediator/Facilitator/Workplace Investigator, Mathers Workplace Conflict Resolution

As a mediator/facilitator, I specialize in employment, workplace and labour relations matters conducting mediations for grievances, disputes and notice of occurrence, labour negotiations, interest arbitration, employment matters, health and safety, pay equity, and pensions and benefits including disability benefits. I accept OLRA Section 50 Med-Arb appointments. I provide mediation utilizing a variety of styles depending on the situation and the desire of the parties. I also provide neutral facilitation for workplace conflict management, dispute resolution, negotiation and relationship ...


Mediator and Lawyer, Marc McAree Mediation / Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

Marc McAree is available as a mediator. Marc’s mediation practice areas represent an extension of the law that Marc has practiced for more than 30 years. Marc's mediation practice areas include: Environment; Land Use Planning, Zoning and Development; Municipal; and Related Insurance (www.mmmediation.ca).


A respected member of ADRIC/ADRIO and TCAS, Michele provides affordable and timely solutions to disputes in an efficient arbitration process. With 30 years’ experience as a litigator and global banks’ Chief Legal Officer, Michele has expertise in corporate restructuring, financial services, transportation, mining, and real estate.As CEO of Independent Review Inc., Michele specializes in corporate governance solutions for the mutual fund industry. Michele's extensive board experience includes being the Chair/Director of financial services, mining companies, healthcare, education, and cultural ...


Innovative Dispute Resolution Ltd.

An internationally recognized expert in sports law and arbitration, Professor Richard McLaren has spent his career working at the highest levels to protect the integrity of sports. Professor McLaren is involved in the adjudication of sports-related disputes at both the amateur and professional level. As a member and Arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), he has arbitrated key sport cases around the world. As an Ad Hoc Panel Member of CAS, he has participated in five Olympic Games during which he resolved disputes pertaining to anti-doping, athlete eligibility and intellectual ...


Whitelaw Twining

Khalil is a dual qualified lawyer based out of Ottawa. He has spent over 20 years advising clients on contentious commercial, construction, insurance and international law matters. On the commercial front, Khalil has represented clients in major sale, shareholder and M&A disputes, joint venture issues, consortium related disputes, facilities, enforcement of warranties and guarantees. On the construction front, his experience spans from infrastructure to energy projects, including utilities, power plants, water projects, pipelines and generally the built sector. Amongst the issues Khalil ...


Ilana Miller & Associates

Ilana J. Miller has over 25 years of experience as a mediator and arbitrator for high conflict family law disputes. Ilana has been in full-time private practice since 2002. She is both a Chartered and Accredited Family Mediator, who provides: Arbitration; Mediation/Arbitration; Closed and Open mediation; Child-Includive Mediation; the Voice of the Child Reports coupled with specializing as a Collaborate Family Law neutral. As an adjunct to the services listed above, Ilana Miller also provided consultation to lawyers under the auspices of the Office of The Children's Lawyer, a branch of the ...


President, Minns Professional Corporation

James Minns is a senior mediator, arbitrator, adjuducator and property appraisal umpire with years of practical legal experience and subject matter expertise in relation to all forms of insurance, construction, condominium, intellectual property and corporate/commercial litigation. His specialized legal and business background enables him to bring a unique and thoughtful perspective to dispute resolution and conflict management.James areas of expertise include: Civil & Commercial Litigation Intellectual Property Commercial & Property Insurance Media, Sports & Entertainment ...


President, CFS Experts Inc.

Former Claims Manager with 35 years experience in Property and Casualty Claims of all types except for Surety. Specializing in resolving Subrogated Claim and Claims Coverage disputes. Ongoing experience participating on Canadian Insurance Claims Manager Association Intercompany Agreement arbitration panels. Managed litigation and resolution throughout Canada and on 5 other continents.


Warren Morris is a non-practicing lawyer, who acts as a mediator, arbitrator, trainer, ombudsman and ADR consultant. Warren is an expert in commercial and workplace mediation. He has a unique ability to simplify complex matters and creates an atmosphere for resolving conflict. The ADR Institute of Canada has granted Warren the designation CHARTERED MEDIATOR (C.Med) in recognition of his experience, education and expertise in the field of mediation.Since 1999, Warren has successfully mediated numerous complex matters, ranging from multi-party financial reorganizations to sensitive workplace ...


MORROW MEDIATION

Bernard Morrow is the principal of Morrow Mediation, a Toronto area based full-service alternative dispute resolution (ADR)firm. Bernard has been successfully providing fair and balanced dispute resolution services at a sensible price since 1994. In addition to conducting his ADR practice, Bernard was appointed the Complaints Resolution Commissioner for the LawSociety of Ontario for a two-year term commencing April 1, 2014. He was re-appointed for a second two-year termcommencing April 1, 2016. The Commissioner performs an ombuds role, independently reviewing complaints againstlawyers and ...


Mortazavi Construction Consulting Inc.


mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-CA;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Paul is an adjudicator, arbitrator and mediator with ADR Chambers and has over 33 years of construction experience, progressing from site to executive level on commercial developments, industrial, transportation and infrastructure, oil and gas, processing plants, airports, rail, civil engineering, and nuclear facilities. Paul is a Certified Adjudicator ...


North York, ontario

Noel Mediation Services - Services de Mediation Noel

Stéphane Noël is the sole proprietor and owner of Noël Mediation Services. He is a professionally accredited family mediator with the Ontario Association for Family Mediation AccFM (OAFM) and is also accredited by the Alternate Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario and Canada Q.Med (ADRIO & ADRIC). Stéphane facilitates successful conflict resolution processes in a multitude of areas. Stéphane has extensive experience with interviewing children. He is a trained Voice of the Child Reports practitioner and he also offers Child Inclusive Family Mediation. Heis a trained arbitrator and also ...


Vice Chair - Ontario Labour Relations Board

Mr. Black practiced labour and employment law, specifically in construction, for almost 18 years prior to becoming a mediator-arbitrator.  He received his law degree from the University of Windsor in 2005 and was called to the bar in Ontario in 2006. 


Murray Mediation Services


Cudney Consulting, Coaching & Training

Neil has worked as an executive leader in the non-profit sector for over two decades. He has just recently started his own practice. His doctoral work is in leadership and organizational culture. He helps organizations and leaders to understand and engage organization value, visions, missions and core values. While in the sector, he developed and led an organizational strategy for conflict medition and resolution. He has a background in: Employee conflictChurch conflictFamily dynamics and conflictCreating and implementing organizations values, vision and missionEngaging organizational core ...


Investigator / Mediator, Benard + Associates


Bennett Construction Group

Marcia is a partner at Advocates. She is a Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and is certified as a Specialist in Construction Law by the Law Society of Ontario. She practices exclusively in the areas of construction law and defense insurance acting for large sized general contractors engaged in the ICI Sector and multidisciplinary engineering consulting firms. Marcia is involved in all aspects of construction law including contract negotiation, bond claims, tender claims, construction claims and construction liens; and on the defense side she defends engineers engaged in ...


Senior Associate, Stantec Consulting Ltd.

I am a design and construction senior project manager and facilitor with over 25 years experience in navigating complex stakeholder environements. With years of practical experience in mediating, officially or otherwise, disputes and conflict within projects, and extensive training in alternative dispute resolution, negotiation, and collaberative leadership, I bring both skills and experience to the table to help project parties settle or ideally avoid disputes and conflict.