Episode 8 Attorney Wright saw an interesting question posted on an online legal forum recently: Will I look bad if I refuse mediation? Reasons not to go may be many, but there could be consequences in court if your refuse. What does that mean for your case? What will the judge think? Are you putting your case at risk? Do you run the risk of giving the family law judge the wrong impression if you refuse to try to settle your case through the conciliation process?Although the conciliator/mediator is impartial, has family court experience and is trustworthy, you still may not be able to see yourself sitting down with your ex at the same table. Maybe you suffered abuse and trauma and you don’t feel safe, or maybe you still just have unresolved anger issues and it’s just too much to deal with. In this episode, Ellen Wright is joined by Attorney David Eppley of the Wright Family Law Group to discussion mediaiton in Massachusetts.DAVID EPPLEY focuses his practice in all areas of family law including litigation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, including the niche area of LGBT family issues. Aside from his family law cases, David also maintains an active probate litigation practice. In this practice, David has been appointed by the Massachusetts Probate & Family Court in special fiduciary and/or neutral capacities as Commissioner for Sale of Real Estate, Guardian ad litem, Special Discovery Master, and Successor Administrator.For over twenty years, David has worked for highly respected domestic relations boutique firms and a mid-sized Boston firm where he has developed a reputation as an authority in family and divorce law. Following law school graduation from Boston University School of Law, David served two years as a law clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Probate & Family Court. David received his bachelors degree from Ball State University.David is a former member of the Joint Bar Alimony Task Force; former Boston Bar Association, Family Law Section, Co-Chair; former Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, Co-Chair. He remains a member of those organizations and the Essex County Bar Association, where he volunteers as a certified conciliator. David has presented at various CLE programs regarding complex family law issues, including co-chairing for several years the annual MCLE Divorce Finance Summit. David is a co-author of Divorce Law Practice Manual, Chapter 8 Division of Estate, MCLE, 2nd Edition, 2008, and was recognized as a Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star (2007-2011).David joined the Wright Family Law Group in 2023, helping augment the firm’s presence in Essex County. David continues to practice in all of the Metro Boston area, spending time in both the Tewksbury and Danvers offices.When not at work, David enjoys watching classic films or streaming the latest Star Wars series. David is a recovering former politician having served as a Salem City Councillor for two terms a few years ago and now will occasionally advocate on local issues facing his hometown.Mediaiton Resources: https://wrightfamilylawgroup.com/divorce-mediation/www.exhaledivorcemediation.comDon’t forget to download our complimentary infographic that helps explain the differences between mediation and conciliation here: http://bit.ly/3MqGYStWatch the Companion YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/YUV2AfPkzxg