My lifelong interest in nonviolence as a viable means of conflict resolution has also contributed to my law practice. Nonviolence teaches us to look for alternatives to conflict; it teaches us to think issues through from multiple perspectives, again, generating ideas. The solutions to problems cannot all be the same for everyone. This is why I believe that the ability to creatively come up with ideas is one of the most important qualities for practicing law. Naturally, ideas are the basis of conflict resolution through mediation. I believe in a hands-on approach where the parties and mediator brainstorm. I know I am succeeding during a mediation when the parties get excited about the ideas and start talking about solving the remainder of their issues and problems between themselves. That is a most successful feeling of resolution; when the attorney drops into the background and becomes the educated scrivener. I have years of experience volunteering in Santa Clara County Superior Court in well established programs where I have been called upon to use mediation skills on a regular basis.