Chandrika C. Collins
Chandrika is a Mediator, Conflict Resolution Specialist with BOSTON CHASE MEDIATION GROUP, LLC of Missouri. Chandrika graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. She continued her education at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Florida and received her Master of Science degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Almost ten years ago, she began developing her mediation and conflict resolution skills when asked to intervene in a construction dispute because she was identified as someone who could be neutral, trusted and insightful.
As a member of the Association of Missouri Mediators, she is working to increase awareness in her region about mediation and conflict resolution. She is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution and Mediators Beyond Borders. Actively participating in these organizations allows her to stay on top of the latest trends and provide solid input affecting the current standards of practice.
Chandrika’s experience and education from an early age has given her a profound understanding of the need for a fair, neutral and trusted person to step into a situation when a problem arises. The ability to be fair, neutral and committed to the process and you is just a glimpse of the aptitude Chandrika can bring to your situation. She possesses an enthusiasm immeasurable about the opportunity that conflict resolution, specifically mediation, provides to people.
Always looking for new ways to enhance her local, regional and global community Chandrika strives to make mediation and conflict resolution household words which people speak of with the utmost appreciation and confidence.
She has done work and research in the Middle East, specifically the Negev region. As well as, research in U.S. state circuit courts, analyzing and assessing the current trends and needs as they relate to ADR.
Maridee F. Edwards (Independent Consultant)
Maridee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Communications, (Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN) and a Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California. She was the head of the agency for the Missouri Supreme Court responsible for investigating and prosecuting lawyers for ethics violations (Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel) from 2001-2006. In her twenty years as a practicing attorney, she developed expertise in the area of ethics in positions with the California Bar Association and in Missouri; teaching continuing education classes and writing articles as a regular contributor to the Missouri Lawyers Weekly and other legal publications. Her legal background includes positions as legal counsel with the Screen Actors Guild in Beverly Hills, California, and the U.S. Department of Labor, and as a mediator in the Los Angeles court system.
During her tenure as chief disciplinary counsel for Missouri’s Supreme Court, she initiated the use of probationary status and an alternative track to discipline for instances of lesser misconduct. These alternative options included an internal telephonic mediation process, as well as utilization of the Missouri Bar Complaint Resolution and fee dispute mediation/ arbitration programs. Historically, the disciplinary options in the state ranged from admonition or reprimand to suspension or disbarment, without an option to allow an attorney to continue practice where public harm was not likely, provided remedial measures were undertaken by the attorney. Edwards prompted and participated in a project with The Bar Plan insurance company, The Missouri Bar, and its Fee Dispute Resolution Committee, to formulate sample fee agreements for downloading by lawyers from the Missouri Bar website. Numerous procedural rules streamlining and improving consistency in the investigation and hearing process for attorney disciplinary committees were initiated during her tenure. Other accomplishments include revamping and review of the amended Rules of Professional Conduct proposed by the ABA, as well as implementation of modern technological advances for the office. She appointed the first Legal Ethics Counsel to the newly established position which was developed, with her urging, to provide lawyers with a neutral, non-prosecutorial setting for obtaining advice on ethics questions.
Presently, Ms. Edwards has a private practice in professional ethics and licensing matters, and mediation of disputes in the central Missouri area.
