Miriam is passionate about helping people resolve disputes in a timely and effective way, so they can move forward with their lives and businesses.
MIRIAM ZIEGLER
B Social Science (Hons)/LLB, AMDRAS Accredited Mediator, Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Lawyer
Miriam is an experienced mediator-lawyer and family dispute resolution practitioner. She has specialised in mediation since 2005 and has national and international experience.
Miriam trained in mediation at Harvard Law School and practiced in Boston through the Harvard Mediation Program. She has since mediated in a wide variety of settings including private practice, community organisations and local courts. She is appointed as a panel mediator for Legal Aid NSW, the Community Justice Centres, and the Law Society of NSW.
In addition to her mediation practice, Miriam leads several academic and teaching programs. She teaches Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution at Western Sydney University where she is the Subject Coordinator for the Mediation Elective. She designed and co-delivers negotiation workshops at UNSW and coaches for The College of Law in the Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution and the National Mediation Accreditation course.
Miriam has a special interest in Legally Assisted Mediations and the ways in which lawyers and mediators can work together to deliver best practice outcomes and has presented widely on this topic.
Miriam is dedicated to excellence in mediation and is a Director on the Australian Mediators and Dispute Resolution Board and Deputy Chair of the ADR Committee of the Law Society of New South Wales.
In 2022, Miriam was nominated as a finalist for the Australian Disputes Centre Mediator of the Year.
THE MEDIATION PRACTICE
Miriam specializes in shadow of the law mediations—cases that would typically go to court but are resolved through mediation. With a strong understanding of the legal context, she uses her expertise to help clients focus on their core concerns and resolve disputes swiftly, enabling them to move forward with clarity and ease.
Legally Assisted Mediation
Miriam frequently conducts Legally Assisted Mediation, a process where both parties in a dispute, along with their lawyers, work together to find a solution. This type of mediation is often referred to as the “Rolls-Royce” of mediation because it produces strong, lasting solutions that are both practical and legally valid. The involvement of lawyers helps ensure the parties fully understand the legal impact of their decisions while still aiming for a cooperative agreement.
Party-to-Party Mediation
In party-to-party mediation, the parties communicate directly with each other, while Miriam serves as a neutral facilitator to guide the process. This approach works best for parties who are on relatively equal ground and are motivated to resolve the issue on their own. Miriam helps them address challenging issues they may have been avoiding, often leading to stronger relationships by the end. Her guiding principle in these cases is clear: “Do no harm.”
Mediation Options
Mediation options include in-person sessions where all parties sit together around one table, with breaks throughout the 3-4 hour process, and additional sessions if needed. Alternatively, shuttle mediation may be suggested after an initial assessment, where parties remain in separate rooms and the mediator facilitates communication between them. Online mediation is also available for remote sessions.
MEDIATION AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Miriam has vast experience in mediating a variety of disputes, including:
- Family
- Civil
- Small Claims
- Small Business
- Landlord/Tenant
- Workplace
- Community
TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS
Mediator Accreditation Training
Miriam trains, coaches, and assesses students to become accredited mediators, according to the National Mediation Accreditation Standards and the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards, to the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards
Family Dispute Resolution Coaching
Miriam acts as a coach and assessor in Family Dispute Resolution, guiding professionals to develop the necessary skills to meet industry standards.
Practical Legal Training
Miriam designed and leads the Negotiation and Dispute Resolution workshop at UNSW Practical Legal Training, teaching graduate lawyers essential skills for effective and constructive engagement in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Presentations and Webinars
University Teaching
Miriam teaches Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Mediation at the university level, sharing her expertise and preparing the next generation for the profession.
CONTACT
GET IN TOUCH WITH MIRIAM
Please contact Miriam via phone or fill out the form below to ask about fees or make any other enquiry.
