Getting to Know Mediator Meredith Jeffries

Meredith is a tenacious mediator with expertise in complex business and employment litigation and a practicing employment law partner who provides her clients with comprehensive transactional, training, and litigation services. Her experience representing employers of all sizes has resulted in successful mediations throughout the Carolinas. When Meredith is not finding solutions and outcomes for parties, she can be found watching UVA sports or watching her son play baseball.

 

 

What made you want to become a lawyer?

I loved writing and analysis and was always up for a good argument.

 

What is your area of specialization?

Employment Law.

 
What are you most proud of with respect to your career?

Achieving balance between a thriving law practice and a family of 5.

 
Why did you become a Neutral?

I have always loved the mediation process when going through it with my clients, and thought that my skill set and demeanor were well suited to help others achieve good results through ADR.

 
What does ADR look like in 10 years?

Largely the same I think.  Though technology will make virtual mediation much more accessible, I don’t think it is a substitute for coming together to work towards a mutually satisfactory resolution.

 
What is your conflict resolution style/ approach?

Earning trust and building consensus.

 
What do you hope to accomplish through your ADR practice?

Helping parties achieve results that they consider successful.

 

How would your clients describe you?

Tenacious, empathetic, smart, business and solution-oriented.

 
Where did you grow up?

Virginia Beach , VA

 
What do you do in your spare time? How do you unwind?

Watching my son play baseball, watching UVA sports (go Hoos!), cooking, and travel.

 
What characteristic do you admire most in others?

Sense of humor.

 
What was your first law job?

Summer Associate at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte and Kilpatrick & Cody in Atlanta.

 
If you had to identify a passion for a particular area of the law, what would it be?

I love that employment law is about people, and there is almost always a mutually beneficial solution.

 
What is the importance of alternative dispute resolution?

The economic and emotional burdens of litigation are almost never worth the outcome.

 
How has your life experience made you the neutral you are today?

I’ve raised three teenagers.  Enough said.

 
In your estimation, why do clients like working with you?

I take my work extremely seriously, but I don’t take myself too seriously.  I am tenacious at finding good solutions and outcomes.

 
If you had to teach a subject, what would it be?

I loved teaching 1L Civil Procedure and miss teaching 1Ls a great deal.

 
What is your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving.  It is all about gratitude, family, and good food.

 

What is something your clients would never guess about you?

I was a very halfhearted UVA sports fan in college (in contrast to my rabid fandom now)

 
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be?

Journalist or high school teacher.

 
If you could have dinner with anyone person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Lin Manuel Miranda.  I’m obsessed.

 
What is your favorite book? Why?

To Kill a Mockingbird

 
Do you have a favorite quote?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

 

To learn more about Meredith Jeffries or to view her online calendar, click here.

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