Andrea Hirshman, Esq.Andrea Hirshman spent the majority of her career practicing family law. After learning the limitations of litigation, Andrea saw mediation and collaborative law as healthier forums for families to resolve the challenges they face. Andrea’s goal is to help you determine what makes sense for you and your family now and going forward. For divorcing couples, Andrea brings compassionate understanding as you identify your needs and concerns. She provides the expertise needed to accomplish your goals as you go through the process of divorce – without battling in court.
One of Andrea’s proudest accomplishments is the successful mediation of the longstanding discord between her parents, four decades after their divorce. A dream come true, she and her siblings no longer grapple with the difficult emotions unavoidable in navigating between hostile parents. The relief felt by all can be keenly perceived at family gatherings.
Andrea was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1994. She mediates for the NYC Family Courts, FamilyKind, and is on the roster of the Family Collaborative Law Center of the NYS Unified Court System. Andrea serves as a board member of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York and chairs its Continuing Education Committee. She is a member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation and sits on its Ethics Committee. She is a founding member of the Academy of Professional Mediators. Andrea is also a member of the NY Association of Collaborative Professionals and serves on its Outreach Committee. Andrea has two young adult sons and lives in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn with her husband, miniature poodle, Barnum, and, sometimes, her grown children.
Contact: Andrea@familymediationmatters.com
Alison Block GersonAlison Gerson is a trained mediator in New York City with expertise in family mediation. After staying at home to raise her children, she decided to apply her negotiating skills to the service of others. Having completed her training at the Center for Mediation and Training in Manhattan, she became a certified mediator with Community Mediation Services in Queens. Alison also mediates cases for The Dispute Resolution Center in Kingston, New York and mentors apprentice Community Mediators. She serves on the New York City Family Court Custody and Visitation Mediation Panel as a Consultant Mediator.
Alison passionately believes that people can avert misunderstanding and resentment if they relate openly during difficult times. When her parents divorced, they continued to co-parent and never stopped talking with each other. This taught Alison that, while divorce is never easy for children, honest communication lessens the stress and nurtures healthier relationships in the long run.
Alison is a member of The Association for Conflict Resolution, New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York and New York State Dispute Resolution Association. She is founding member of The Academy of Professional Family Mediators. She facilitates discussion groups for Parents in Action, a Manhattan non-profit dedicated to the belief that communication between parent and child is the most effective tool in raising children. Alison has also facilitated trainings for The Center for Understanding in Conflict. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Manhattan and Woodstock with her husband, their sons and their cocker spaniel.
Contact: Alison@familymediationmatters.com
