Approach & Background
David Louis' mediation, financial and interpersonal communication skills have helped hundreds of families successfully move through the challenge of divorce.
David encourages full participation by both spouses, guiding you to address financial challenges and the particular needs of your children. With David you are empowered to make informed decisions that are acceptable to both of you.
Why choose David as our mediator?David’s presence is filled with his passion for his work. His commitment to couples experiencing the challenge of divorce is reinforced by the mediation, financial and communication skills he has acquired in his training and broad life experience. David has helped many families successfully move through the challenge of divorce, providing a calm and safe space filled with empathy and compassion. Unlike others in the field, divorce mediation is the primary focus of David’s practice.
“I want to make a positive difference” — David “For each couple I work with, I bring the intention of using what I’ve learned from my training and experience to make a positive difference in their lives–by transforming fear and anger into hope and confidence that the future can bring new opportunity.” A 30-year career in finance and community
David worked in finance for over 30 years, completing that career as chief financial officer for an organization with a $100 million annual budget. David also served as an elected public official in his township, where he enjoyed a reputation as a consensus builder and often employed his dispute resolution skills. At age 50, thinking about next steps in his career, he wanted to do something different.
“Mediation is future-focused” — David“Two things attracted me: While I had worked as a decision-maker in finance, I liked the freedom of mediation, where I don’t make the decisions—my clients do. I was also attracted to the field as a future-focused planning process. I enjoy working with people, helping them to think about how to move forward from where they are now.” Mediation career began in New YorkDavid began his mediation career in Albany, New York, starting as a volunteer in a local community dispute resolution center. (From 2006-2016, he generously donated his time as a volunteer mediator for several Community Dispute Resolution Centers in the Capital District of New York.) In 2010 he opened Upstate Divorce Mediation, providing family and divorce mediation services.
Extensive training and recognitionIn New York, David held the highest level of accreditation for family and divorce mediators in the state. His training includes the Association for Conflict Resolution’s approved training for divorce mediation by the Mediation Center in Rochester, New York. In 2013, the Association for Conflict Resolution recognized him with the national designation of Advanced Practitioner Family Mediator, and he became an Accredited Mediator Member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, serving on the board of directors. Later that year, he completed his certification as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. After many years, his family wanted a change, so he relocated to Chicago.
“Now I am a Chicagoan!” — David“Living and working in Chicago has been a positive transition. Chicago is a much larger, more diverse area than Upstate New York. I embrace that diversity. There are lots of opportunities for personal enrichment—vibrant neighborhoods and suburban communities with unique identities. The city is very welcoming.”
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Professional Experience
Higher Education
Dispute Resolution Training Extensive training/conferences in mediation, divorce mediation, large group facilitation, conflict coaching, collaborative practice, elder mediation, family and parental planning, workplace mediation — 2006 to present in Illinois and New York Achievements
Directorships
Memberships
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