Restorative justice offers a powerful alternative to traditional, often adversarial, methods of resolving harm. By focusing on accountability, dialogue, and the needs of everyone impacted, restorative justice circles and conferences can transform conflict into opportunities for meaningful healing and change.
What We Offer
Facilitated Conversations
Melora’s experience as a restorative justice facilitator ensures that every conversation is guided by empathy, clear expectations, and a sense of shared responsibility.
Accountability & Repair
Restorative justice prioritizes understanding the root causes of harm and encourages those involved to take accountability, identify harm done, and work toward repairing relationships.
Community Engagement
Whether dealing with neighborhood disputes, workplace incidents, or youth offenses, our process draws on community resources and fosters solutions that benefit the broader group.
Long-Term Transformation
Restorative justice is not a quick fix. It requires a commitment to personal growth, empathy-building, and continued communication. We remain involved as needed, ensuring long-term positive outcomes.
Practice Areas
At Middle Path Mediation, Attorney Mediator Melora Bentz offers a range of conflict resolution and consulting services rooted in empathy, skill, and professionalism. Drawing on her background in employment and labor law, criminal defense, restorative justice facilitation, and inclusive leadership coaching, Melora helps individuals, families, and organizations find a workable middle path toward resolution. Below are the primary practice areas we serve.
01
Discrimination and harassment complaints can disrupt team morale, impede productivity, and cause severe emotional distress. With a deep understanding of Title VII, Melora mediates these sensitive claims in a respectful and private setting. She focuses on recognizing the underlying issues—whether systemic or interpersonal—and guides parties toward solutions that uphold dignity, fairness, and inclusivity.
02
Civil rights disputes often involve deeply personal experiences and complex legal considerations. Melora’s legal background equips her to navigate issues of free speech, equal protection, and other civil liberties. By creating a supportive, confidential environment, Middle Path Mediation fosters open dialogue and encourages outcomes that respect each party’s fundamental rights.John W. Shenk specializes in “business divorce,” helping clients navigate partnership disputes with a focus on preserving relationships. He addresses financial disagreements and operational conflicts to achieve equitable resolutions.
03
When workplace discipline issues arise, organizations risk increased turnover, strained relationships, and potential legal liabilities. Through mediation and facilitated discussions, Melora helps employers, HR teams, and employees clarify expectations, address concerns, and arrive at constructive disciplinary solutions. This approach maintains accountability while preserving trust and morale within the organization.
04
Melora’s experience as a criminal defense attorney and restorative justice facilitator uniquely positions her to handle cases involving harm, whether within or outside the criminal justice system. She brings together those who have been harmed and those who caused harm to acknowledge the incident, identify the impacts, and develop pathways for accountability and healing. This restorative approach aims to reduce recidivism and rebuild trust in the broader community.
05
Parenting plans can be highly emotional, even when the parties agree to avoid litigation. By focusing on the children’s best interests, Melora facilitates discussions on scheduling, decision-making, and communication protocols for co-parents. The result is often a more amicable, workable plan that prioritizes the well-being of the entire family.
(Note: Middle Path Mediation does not handle full divorce proceedings—only parenting plans/custody issues.)
06
From intergenerational conflicts to estate planning disagreements, family issues can deeply affect personal relationships. Melora’s empathetic approach helps relatives talk through emotionally charged topics—be it elder care decisions, sibling disputes, or property matters. Through structured dialogue, families gain clarity, preserve relationships, and find solutions that accommodate everyone’s needs.
07
Contract disputes can escalate quickly when communication breaks down. Drawing on years of civil litigation experience, Melora helps parties uncover the core issues—whether they involve payment terms, delivery of services, or performance obligations—and guides them toward mutually acceptable remedies. By mediating instead of litigating, businesses and individuals can save time, money, and relationships.
08
Whether it’s a partnership disagreement, shareholder conflict, or vendor-client impasse, business disputes threaten productivity and profitability. Melora facilitates honest, interest-based discussions that address underlying concerns, align on objectives, and protect vital business relationships. This approach fosters long-term collaboration rather than burning bridges.
09
Disputes in special education can be particularly sensitive, as they often involve a child’s well-being, individualized needs, and legal entitlements. Melora’s background in equity and inclusive practices informs her approach, ensuring that schools, parents, and support teams work together to develop solutions that best serve the student’s educational journey.
10
Debt-related conflicts can put a strain on both personal and professional relationships. In mediation, parties can create flexible repayment plans or settlement agreements that consider financial realities and legal obligations. By seeking a collaborative resolution, creditors often recoup more effectively, and debtors maintain dignity through a fair process.
11
Small businesses and startups can thrive or fail based on how well partners navigate their agreements, roles, and responsibilities. When tensions arise—such as unequal workloads or questions of compensation—Melora helps clarify expectations and facilitate compromise. The goal is to preserve the professional relationship while setting clear guidelines for future success.
12
Property disputes can become contentious and prolonged if not handled proactively. Melora’s conflict management approach addresses everything from rental agreements and security deposit conflicts to homeowner association matters. By bringing landlords and tenants (or property owners and neighbors) together to clarify obligations and needs, mediation often resolves issues faster and with less cost than litigation.
13
Neighborly conflicts over noise, property lines, pets, or shared amenities can disrupt peace of mind at home. Through facilitated conversations, Middle Path Mediation helps neighbors address grievances directly, find mutually agreeable solutions, and rebuild a sense of community or at least respectful coexistence.
14
Elder care disputes—whether about living arrangements, healthcare decisions, or estate planning—can place immense emotional and financial pressure on families. Melora’s compassionate, structured process allows relatives and caregivers to voice concerns, reach consensus on care strategies, and safeguard the elder’s best interests while minimizing family strife.
15
Community-based issues can involve multiple stakeholders with varying objectives and backgrounds. Melora’s restorative justice training and group facilitation skills enable her to manage multi-interest dialogues effectively—bringing together local officials, neighborhood associations, and individuals to discuss topics such as zoning, resource allocation, or shared public spaces. This inclusive, forward-thinking approach cultivates lasting solutions and stronger community bonds.
Testimonials - What they say?
Thanks to Melora’s expertise and dedication, our team is now functioning more cohesively, and we have seen a significant improvement in our collaborative efforts. We highly recommend Middle Path Mediation to any organization facing internal conflicts. Melora Bentz’s mediation skills are truly exceptional and were instrumental in helping us achieve success.
Thanks to Melora’s expertise and dedication, our team is now functioning more cohesively, and we have seen a significant improvement in our collaborative efforts. We highly recommend Middle Path Mediation to any organization facing internal conflicts. Melora Bentz’s mediation skills are truly exceptional and were instrumental in helping us achieve success.
Dynelle Tadlock Attorney
Dynelle Tadlock Attorney
Melora's ability to engage our employees was remarkable. Her dispassionate ethic, combined with her insightful and methodical approach, played a key role in resolving the conflicts and fostering a more collaborative environment. She brought a calm and professional demeanor to every session, creating a safe space for open and honest communication.
Melora's ability to engage our employees was remarkable. Her dispassionate ethic, combined with her insightful and methodical approach, played a key role in resolving the conflicts and fostering a more collaborative environment. She brought a calm and professional demeanor to every session, creating a safe space for open and honest communication.
Dynelle Tadlock Attorney
Dynelle Tadlock Attorney
We recently had the pleasure of working with Melora Bentz, proprietor of Middle Path Mediation, to address a challenging situation involving four employees from two departments struggling to collaborate effectively. As a nonprofit health care payer, it is crucial for our team to work harmoniously to meet our mission.
We recently had the pleasure of working with Melora Bentz, proprietor of Middle Path Mediation, to address a challenging situation involving four employees from two departments struggling to collaborate effectively. As a nonprofit health care payer, it is crucial for our team to work harmoniously to meet our mission.
Dynelle Tadlock Attorney
Dynelle Tadlock Attorney
