Kathleen Wareham

Mediator, Arbitrator

Expertise Areas:

  • Civil Rights & Government/Public Agency
  • Employment
  • General Civil/Tort Litigation
  • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
  • Probate, Guardianship, Trusts & Elder Law
  • Professional Negligence

WAMS Mediator Certification: 2004

Accomplishments: Kathleen Wareham is a full-time, professional neutral who has over 30 years of practical experience in litigation and conflict resolution involving personal injury (wrongful death, premises liability, auto accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, etc.), civil rights, employment, government & public agency, probate, guardianship, elder law and trust matters.

Ms. Wareham is known for her keen and insightful interpersonal skills, particularly helpful with difficult and multi-party cases. Clients describe her as tenacious, creative, well-prepared and attentive to the concerns of all stakeholders in mediation. She was certified as a mediator through the University of Washington School of Law in 2001, while a partner at MacDonald Hoague & Bayless in Seattle. Her litigation practice, guardian ad litem/settlement GAL experience, and knowledge of public agency law and process, enhance her skills as a professional neutral. Kathleen Wareham is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. She is certified as a Rule 39.1 mediator for federal court cases and accepts appointments to serve as a sole or swing arbitrator.

In addition to being a frequent speaker and trainer on a variety of mediation topics at legal education seminars, Kathleen Wareham is particularly known for her interest in and study of ethical issues that arise in mediation. She authored the “Washington Mediation Ethics” chapter of the WSBA Legal Ethics Deskbook (2009) and has given many presentations to mediators and mediation advocates on mediation ethics.

Education: Professional Mediation Skills Training Program, University of Washington School of Law, 2001; WAMS Advanced Mediator Training, 2005, 2009; Caregiver Mediation Training, Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center (program from University of Michigan School of Gerontology); Columbia University, J.D., 1986; University of Washington, B.A. in Philosophy, minor in Economics, 1983 (with Honors).

Affiliations: Washington Arbitration and Mediation Service; WSBA Civil Rights Section; Executive Committee of WSBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; King County Bar Association, Guardianship and Elder Law Section, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section; NW Dispute Resolution Conference Planning Committee; The Northwest School Board of Trustees.

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