Collaborative Dispute Resolution

Find your solution and get back to what matters.

Hi, I’m Ashley Syer.

I'd like to be your mediator.

Law and conflict can be complicated. I want to help you resolve your disputes, so you can get back to what matters most.

I am an experienced mediator, with over a decade of experience mediating different types of civil disputes.

I like to help people and businesses find simple and practical ways to solve their problems. That means I will take the time to learn about you or your business, and figure out what I can do to best help you and your unique situation. Sometimes, that means thinking outside the box to find creative solutions.

In mediation, I work with each party to understand opposing points of views and help each side reach a resolution they can live with, by crafting their own solutions. I mediate with parties who have their own lawyers, or those who are representing themselves.

I hold a Certified Mediator (C. Med) designation from the ADR Institute of Canada, and a Registered Roster Mediator (RRM) designation from Mediate BC, which means I have and continue to meet strict training and education standards as a mediator. I also coach, train, and mentor other mediators.

I am a roster mediator for the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and mediate human rights complaints of all types. I am also available to mediate human rights matters outside of the ordinary Tribunal process. For parties with counsel, please ask me about my fixed rate for BCHRT mediations.

I am also a roster mediator for the Law Society of British Columbia, WorksafeBC, and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.

My mediation experience is broad, ranging from $35M Estate disputes to neighbour issues, business breakdowns to wrongful dismissal claims, and almost anything else in between.

A little more about me.

I am currently on the Board of Mediate BC Society. I have been involved in the Canadian Bar Association's BC branch, in its Civil Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections. I am also on the Women Lawyers' Committee of the Trial Lawyers Association of BC. I am listed as a mediator on the Civil Roster of Mediate BC, was part of the quarantine mediation pilot program, and am a mentor for Mediate BC mentorship projects. I also volunteer my time with great organizations like Access Pro Bono, and take the time to mentor new lawyers and mediators whenever I get the chance.

I’m prepared with the tools to support you from the initial

stages through to a final resolution, and have the credentials to back it up.

My Education and Credentials

University of British Columbia, Juris Doctor
Harvard, Advanced Mediation Workshop: Mediating Complex Disputes (Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School)
Chartered Mediator (C.Med), ADRIC
Registered Roster Mediator (RRM), Mediate BC
University of Glasgow, Faculty of Law Exchange
University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology/Sociology Double Major)
Mediate BC, Small Claims Mediation Practicum Program
CLEBC, Mediation and Advanced Mediation programs

You are welcomed to dive deeper into my story by listening to Episode 39 of the Joyful Practice for Women Lawyers and by reading this Happy Lawyer Profile from Not Your Average Law Job or this It's All Happening profile from Lane Editorial.

Outside of law, I enjoy spending time in nature with my dog, theater, travel, cooking, wine, photography, skiing, and everything this great province of ours has to offer.

Why mediate?

Mediation empowers the parties in a dispute, and allows for creative solutions that a court could never come up with. Mediation can also be much more efficient and cost-effective than going through litigation.

Mediation takes the "what if" out of going to trial or tribunal hearings. The parties get to craft their own solutions to their problems with the help of a skilled mediator, instead of having a decision-maker impose an outcome on them. When you get to have some say in the outcome of your dispute, it can be much easier to get back to the more important things in your life.

Where the relationship between the parties in a dispute will continue, like in an employment context or with business partners, mediation can help rebuild relationships that have broken down.

When to mediate?

Mediation can be a great tool to resolve conflicts at all stages, whether a dispute is just emerging, or a trial is coming up.

A well-timed mediation before a dispute gets out of control can help parties avoid a court battle, help fix misunderstandings, or help repair the relationship between the parties. This can save time, money, and relationships.

Once litigation is underway, mediation can help parties resolve some or all of their issues, and gives the parties a chance to control the outcome of their dispute. Mediating early in litigation can be a great way to avoid the frustrations and delays that come with having to go to court. If you can't resolve your legal issues early, that's ok! It's never too late to mediate.

How I can help

I provide a variety of mediation services, workshops and training, whether you're looking for assistance resolving disputes, are wanting to help your team learn how to deal with conflict, or want to communicate more effectively in high conflict situations.

Mediation

I mediate all types of civil disputes. Whether you're involved in court proceedings or not, whether you have counsel or not, I can help.

I love mediating in person, but sometimes it's more practical to mediate virtually. I work with the parties to figure out what makes sense for them, and offer mediation via Zoom, MS Teams, and in person. I can arrange physical space throughout the Okanagan and in the Lower Mainland, and will happily travel when necessary.

Workplace Mediation
and Facilitation

I mediate all types of workplace and related issues, including wrongful dismissal claims, harassment and human rights complaints, and many other workplace issues.

I also help workplaces that aren't working well to function better and rebuild relationships through workplace mediation. Depending on the nature of the issues and the needs of a company, these can be done before or following a workplace investigation, or instead of one.

Conflict Coaching and Training

I provide conflict resolution skills coaching and communication workshops for companies and organizations of all types and sizes.

I can tailor workshops and programs to suit your team's needs, whether it is to provide high level conflict skills training to your whole organization, or an in depth conflict communication skills workshop for your management team, or one-on-one training for specific types of high conflict communication needs.

Meet Sadie!

Sadie is a mediation dog. She might just be the world's friendliest golden retriever, and is a certified Good Girl.

Sadie is available to come to in-person mediations, for anyone who needs a little extra emotional support, or just a bit of puppy love.

She apologizes in advance for all the fur she'll leave on you, but she will try to remember to bring a fuzz brush with her.

Ask me about inviting Sadie to your mediation!

Get in Touch

Ellis Professional Building,

203 - 383 Ellis St., Penticton, BC

604-343-1103