Gene Barr, Esq.
First Co-chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2006)
Recipient of the Suffolk County Bar Association's "Director's Award" as Committee Chair of the S.C.B.A.'s A.D.R. Committee (2007)
About Gene:
Warned by my orthopedist to find a new career (after 2 knee and 6 shoulder surgeries), I began my college education at age 38; over the next decade I earned Associates and Bachelor's degrees, an M.B.A., an M.S.E.D, and my Juris Doctorate while operating my commercial construction company. Admitted to the NYS Bar in 1999, I soon came to understand that my true passion was assisting families in their time of need.
Understanding that divorce law is unique, because of its emotional content and the impact it has upon the family, I sought an alternative to the often contentious, argumentative, confrontational and costly process of litigation; that alternative was, and remains, mediation. To me, mediation is a cost effective, voluntary and confidential process where the parties meet with an impartial mediator, in a neutral, non-hostile environment that fosters open and honest discussions directed towards resolving the family's differences by reasoned debate. The fundamental principle of my practice is that no one is in a better position to determine what's right for a family, than the family itself.
To setup an initial consultation, please contact Gene Barr directly.. While mediation is simple to understand,it's sometimes difficult to explain. When asked,most will say that mediation is an alternative to the traditional dispute resolution model of litigation - and that is true; but mediation is more than that. Mediation is an environment of trust. It's an opportunity to sit and discuss important issues in a neutral,non-hostile atmosphere; it is an opportunity for you to express yourself in a safe controlled environment; the structure of that environment finds its roots in the time honored tradition of the village elder,family counselor and religious advisor; recognized neutrals whose interests are to guide you through the minefields of family disputes and facilitate peaceful and respectful resolution of your differences.
That structured environment,and the mediation process itself,provides the greatest opportunity for peaceful resolution and future growth. As mediation is self-determinative (as well as confidential and voluntary) it is best suited to family and divorce law because no one is in a better position to determine what is right for your family - than you - not attorneys,judges,nor disinterested third parties. It is acknowledged that divorce by litigation places a heavy toll upon the family; that divorce by litigation serves to further fracture an already fractured relationship making it more difficult for you to continue,after divorce,to relate to each other as mom and dad," rather than angry ex-spouses.