Waugh Law & Mediation

04/15/2026

20 CLE Hours: June 18-20
2-nights lodging, 5 meals at country inn
Under $795

This June: sharpen your skills, refresh your practice, and reconnect with your purpose.

Early bird pricing ends April 30—register today!

04/14/2026

One of the things I love about the Pennsylvania Mediation Conference is that it’s not just lectures—it’s interactive, practical, and discussion-based.

So that’s exactly what this session will be.

We’re diving into the 7 forms of listening with:
A very good listener (Roosevelt, my blue tick!)
A fishbowl role play where you’ll see styles in action
Group brainstorming on how to actually use them

You won’t just hear about listening—you’ll experience it.

And you’ll walk away with tools you can use immediately in mediation, work, and everyday conversations.

Come ready to participate!

04/11/2026

Excited to be co-presenting with Caleb David, W.Va.'s Deputy Solicitor General at the law school in Morgantown on Tuesday.

We’ll be discussing our newly co-edited mediation handbook, published by the State Bar's ADR Committee, with law students and exploring questions like:
• What we wish we had known at our first mediation
• How practice evolves over time
• What really matters when you’re in the room

One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been bringing together diverse perspectives—from newer lawyers to highly experienced practitioners—into a single, practical resource.

Looking forward to the conversation—and especially to hearing what students want to know about mediation in practice.

04/08/2026

Practicing law broke my heart. And then it healed it.

I sat down with the IIRP's Restorative Works! podcast to talk about what that journey looked like — and what I've come to call restorative lawyering.

After more than 35 years in the legal profession, I've seen what the adversarial system costs lawyers and clients alike. I've also seen what becomes possible when we lead with healing, accountability, and genuine human connection instead.

That's what this conversation is about.

Listen here: https://www.iirp.edu/podcast/justice-that-heals-inside-the-practice-of-restorative-lawyering-with-brenda-waugh

If it resonates, I hope you'll join me this June. I'm hosting an intimate 3-day retreat — Rooted Practice: A Path to Becoming a Restorative Lawyer — June 18–20 at Elk River Inn & Cabins in Slaty Fork, WV. Just 15 lawyers. 20+ CLE hours. The West Virginia mountains.

It's the work I wish I'd had access to decades ago. https://www.brendawaugh.com/cletraining

What if the practice of law could heal instead of harm? In this episode of Restorative Works! Podcast, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes lawyer, mediator,...

03/26/2026

I just finished my preparations for my guest lecture tomorrow at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington. I'll be appearing remotely for the course in Remedies. Professor Dave Eggert has invited me to participate to encourage students to think broadly about remedies, or how we say in RJ — how to make things as right as possible. Here is one slide I like that reminds us that Restorative Justice is about far more than punishment. Making things as right as possible depends on the needs of the victim, the community, and the offender.

03/16/2026

I've had the privilege of traveling to Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania Council of Mediators annual conference many times since my first visit around 2010 — when Marshall Yoder and I began exploring the intersection of Restorative Justice and custody litigation.

This year, we're building on that foundation. Our focus: how legal culture — with all its embedded assumptions and expectations — may be shaping our mediation processes in ways we don't always recognize.

Once we understand those influences, we can do something powerful: lean into what serves the parties well, and intentionally set aside what doesn't. The goal is mediation that doesn't just resolve disputes, but leaves parties feeling heard, satisfied, and with real opportunities to repair harm and strengthen their relationships.

Looking forward to the conversation. 🗓️

03/10/2026

Here's a slide share for a short discussion next week on my book, Becoming a Restorative Lawyer scheduled with The Restorative Justice (RJ) Roundtable, a RJ practitioner community in Washington (the state.) The group is composed of folks in nonprofit, small business, government agencies, educational institutions, social services, and dispute resolution centers.

03/09/2026

Excited to share that I'll be presenting at a Pre-Conference Training on Friday, April 24th!

My session, "Out of Court: Uncovering the Restorative Power of Mediation," runs from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM and digs into something I'm really passionate about: why some mediations flow beautifully while others stall — even when the facts look the same.

We'll explore how conventional litigation patterns can quietly shape our mediation practice in ways we don't always notice, and how to shift toward something more truly restorative. It's going to be interactive, energizing, and grounded in real practice.

If you work in mediation, ADR, or restorative justice — I'd love to see you there! 💙

03/02/2026

Spring is almost here and we are so busy working with parties who are working to resolve conflict in the healthiest way possible. The bad news? We are nearly out of appointments! Reserve your spot for mediation today!

02/23/2026

A huge shoutout to my host, Ralph Tedeschi, at Turn the Page Bookshop in Williamsburg, Virginia, over the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at this wonderful independent bookshop, talking about my book, Becoming a Restorative Lawyer. Added bonus, a great conversation with the Honorable Rian Lewis, Newport News General District Court judge. We discussed improving victim access to justice through a potential Restorative Justice initiative in this area.

02/20/2026

Well...that was fun! I was joined by three of my co-authors of the new West Virginia Young Lawyers' Handbook section on Mediation at the lunch and learn today. First of all, yes Calebs books are all real! And the handbook is free and online for all lawyers to enjoy the lessons of our experienced and dedicated committee.

02/20/2026

I’m looking forward to signing copies of my book, Becoming a Restorative Lawyer, tomorrow, February 21, from 12:00–4:00 PM at Turn the Page Bookshop.

Please join me at:
5707 Richmond Rd, Suite 40
Williamsburg, VA 23188

I would love to see you, sign your book, and connect about restorative justice and the work of building a more relational, healing legal profession.

I hope you’ll stop by.

— Brenda