When we first started the process, neither of us really understood how it worked. Dennis was clear…read moreand steady in walking us through each step, helping us understand what mattered most and where to focus our energy. His communication style, neutrality, and ability to explain things in a way that made sense were all incredibly helpful. Looking back now, we feel very fortunate that we found Dennis. He helped us stay on track, work through the hard parts thoughtfully, and reach a place that feels fair and stable for both of us. If a friend were beginning this process, I wouldn't be happy for them--it's never an easy thing--but I would tell them that mediation is absolutely the best path if you can take it. For any couple that wants to move forward with respect and create an outcome that lets both people begin their next chapter, this approach--and working with someone like Dennis--makes a real difference.

Dennis made our process easful and clear. My now ex-wife and I knew we wanted to separate in a…read moreloving and respectful way and Dennis supported that process well. He guided us with clarity, care and knowledge. He also made it simple in terms of the paperwork. This is not an easy process but if you arrive w Dennis, I suspect he will be a good and solid resource. Thank you again sir.

[UPDATE: RESPONSE TO THE OWNER'S REPLY]…read more The owner's response is contradicted by the written record: 1. The Privacy Lie: The owner claims they "never require clients to disclose private medical records." Read Clause 13a below. They literally drafted a binding court order forcing me to disclose my psychiatric treatment and any doctor changes directly to my ex-husband. 2. The "Therapist" Misdirection: Peace Talks' website advertises a "team approach" with a therapist to ensure a "neutral environment" and help "process your emotions." I relied on this to navigate a high-conflict, argumentative situation. Yet, when I made suicidal comments during mediation and disclosed spousal abuse, the therapist offered no support and failed to maintain neutrality. Peace Talks now defends this by claiming the role is "not clinical." It is a deceptive business practice to use the "Therapist" title to sell clients a false sense of emotional safety, only to dodge all professional accountability when those promised protections completely fail. 3. The "Independent Counsel" Excuse: Claiming clients should "seek outside counsel" is just how they excuse charging premium rates while forcing you to sign as "Self-Represented" to escape their own malpractice liability. Do not fall for their polite PR spin. The legal documents they drafted speak for themselves. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I hired Peace Talks Mediation Services believing their 'Team Mediation' approach would be safer than litigation. Instead, it was a systemic failure that stripped me of legal protections. Potential clients should be aware of the specific individuals and dangerous clauses involved in this process: - The 'Medical' Mandate: The drafting team, including Attorney Mediator Barbara Tyson, included a clause in my divorce judgment (Clause 13a) that mandated I take psychiatric medication and waived my HIPAA rights. The text of Clause 13a stated: "Elizabeth stipulates and agrees to continue treatment with a medical professional on a schedule and with medication as recommended by said medical professional. In the event Elizabeth ceases psychiatric treatment, she shall notify [Ex-husband] in writing of same." This violation of my privacy and civil liberties was approved by Ms. Tyson and the firm without proper legal oversight. - The 'Ghostwriting' Clause: Although I paid premium rates for legal drafting, their retainer (Page 5, Section 11) required me to file my judgment as 'Petitioner in Pro Per' (Self-Represented). This shielded the firm from liability for the defective orders they wrote, while leaving me with a judgment that failed to protect my assets. When I filed a complaint, the State Bar confirmed exactly how this liability loophole works. In their dismissal letter regarding Ms. Tyson, they stated: ​"You do not have a contract with Ms. Tyson... You contracted with Peace Talks, a mediation firm, not a law firm." ​This is the trap. You believe you are hiring a team of attorneys to protect you. In reality, the State Bar views them as a generic "firm," and because you sign as "Self-Represented," the individual lawyers have no direct contractual duty to you. You are paying for a lawyer's rates but getting none of a lawyer's accountability.

After doing some research after the ex agreed to divorce mediation instead of pay ridiculous lawyer…read morefees I came across Peace Talks which seemed to have good reviews. After I spoke to Stephanie Maloney she seemed experienced and competent. Boy was I wrong! Her firm and staff are the most incompetent bunch. I figured out the business model, conduct endless amount of mediation at the tune of $650/hour and never settle anything. Stephanie, her divorce attorney and psychologist are only there to keep billing you with mediation meeting that accomplish nothing except setting up more meetings. I wasted over $6,500 before I fired them. The assistant, Julia Shaw disclosed my financial disclosure to my ex before the ex completed hers. How stupid is that? I would have expected that the financial disclosure would be disclosed to each party at the same time. Run for the hills when considering Peace Talks. They run a scam and you are better off spending your money on a good divorce attorney.

Marcia was referred to my ex-wife and me by our accountant. We hired her to just do the paperwork…read moreto finish the divorce because we thought we had settled all our issues in the meeting with our accountant. Turns out there were many issues not resolved. Marcia helped us settle them. She was supportive and caring yet very firm with each of us when we stood up from our chairs and said we were going to just take the case to Court. She told us to set down and we were not going to go to Court. With her expert guidance, we settled everything. My ex-wife and I are doctors and being able to settle the case with Marcia keep us out of Court and saved us hundreds of thousand of dollars of attorney fees. If you are thinking about a divorce mediation call Marcia. Arash Milani MD

I am so impressed with the quality of service i received during our medication with Marcia. She is…read moreabsolutely amazing. Extremely fair and reliable. She is always on top of everything and make sure all aspects are evaluated and considered especially when Children are involved. I highly recommend her to all couples going through divorce . I am so grateful to have her as my lawyer and mediator.

This was the worst experience I've ever ever had with an attorney. She strung me on and on, and on…read morewith regard to my case, and then completely abandoned me, and never returned my calls again. It was extremely painful and upsetting.

Working with Alice Graham was one of the most horrific experiences of my life. Wish I had read…read moreStella B.'s review above before hiring Alice. Run, don't walk away from Alice Graham. As Stella B. writes before me she is: Just another lawyer that over bills and underdelivers. SO TRUE. Talks a big talk. She told me she was an "expert" on my issue. She always appeared to be afraid to speak with opposing counsel, just sent emails with mischaracterizations. A couple of phone calls could have completed my case in a few hours. She would send me drafts of documents to review. I corrected her mistakes. I would do so and then she'd type in my changes (and then going back with me again), thereby charging me four times the "agreed upon" rate, plus $1.50 for postage and handling. She is beyond impossible to communicate with, and always has to be right. She lets you know this in a very harsh and condescending manner. She tells you she is always busy, but by the looks of it, I would doubt it. The first time I met her in person was when she parked her car in front of my home. She took one picture of the home for evidence, and charged me $180 for the picture which took one second, calling it a "site review." Lacks integrity and I constantly needed to remind her of follow-up. I could go on and on, but each time is worse than the next. Alice needs to get out of this business. I know many good lawyers, but I used Alice as a referral from a personal friend who did not use her as a lawyer, just a friend (my big mistake!!). She did not focus on my case. Find anyone else and you will get better representation. If I could give her ZERO stars I would. Alice - I do not need a comment from you on this Yelp review. We have had them and you are aware of your mistakes. I had such an awful experience with you.

I wouldn't hire Mr Barnes . He says he's going to do things and he doesn't do them . He's not a…read morefighter he likes to roll over . Don't waste your money or your time . I'm still waiting for him to get back to me and it's been years . Because he said he was going to do something . I lost my case cuz he just rolls over I would give him a negative star if i could . There will be more to come if I ever hear back from that guy . Now I have to hire a new attorney to finish the job . This is not cool . It's tough enough out there we don't need lawyers to take advantage of us . This is not my first rodeo so I do kind of know what I'm talking about . In my case . Save your money go somewhere else .

Very slow. Doesn't return phone calls. Unprofessional. I had to constantly call court house for…read moreanswers. The one time I received a reply from him is when I got angry with his staff. It should never had got to that level. I found another attorney. Shes wonderful. Did everything. Mr. Barnes is extremely cheap so. "You get what you pay for"