About FRI
Family Resolution Institute is an education and training company focused on teaching people how to resolve any style or degree of conflict through Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques (ADR). ADR are techniques and processes for settling disputes without litigation (i.e., going to court and letting a judge decide everything). Sometimes referred to as Consensual Dispute Resolution, ADR allows those in a dispute, disagreement or conflict to come up with creative solutions that may be better for all involved and that a court may not necessarily be legally allowed to impose.
How FRI Got Started
Family Resolution Institute (FRI) started when three experienced mediators, founders Shawn Weber, Shawn Skillin and Robin Seigle, realized that there was a need for ADR training specific to Family Law. Pooling their vast experience from speaking, mediation training and practice, they designed a dynamic and fun multi-day training to meet this need with a combination of lecture and experiential hands-on practice with immediate feedback from experienced mediators.
Since the beginning, FRI has refined their training beyond the original multi-day training to include introductory and advanced coursework for the entire family ADR community. Gaining national attention for their efforts, FRI has also trained JAG attorneys with the United States Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton and Camp Lejeune.
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Meet Our Lead Trainers & Founders
Shawn D. Skillin, Esq.
FRI Co-Founder & Lead Trainer
After practicing law as a family law litigator and minors counsel, Shawn D. Skillin became interested in finding a more collaborative and solution oriented approach to family law cases. She began her mediation practice in 1999. Since then, she has successfully mediated hundreds of family law cases. Today, she maintains her own Family Law Mediation, Collaborative Divorce and Limited Scope practice, Shawn D. Skillin, APC, focused on Personalized Divorce Transitions.
Shawn is one of the best divorce mediation speakers and trainers in the industry. She has been speaking for 11 years and in the last two years alone, has done more than 41 speaking engagements. In addition, Shawn is an educational consultant, speaker and trainer with the High Conflict Institute. She has been a guest lecturer on mediation at the University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego Christian College and Legal Assistance at Marine Air Station, Camp Pendleton. She has trained military JAG Officers in family law mediation since 2011. Shawn was an intensive care and trauma nurse in her early professional life, earning her BSN from San Diego State University. Shawn then earned her J.D. from the University of San Diego.
Shawn Weber, CLS-F*
FRI Co-Founder & Lead Trainer
Shawn Weber has a long history with Consensual Dispute Resolution and is an expert in Mediation and Collaborative Practice throughout California. Known as a “dolphin” and not a “shark”, Shawn brings a peacemaking philosophy to his more than 20-year career in family law and divorce work. Shawn understands that divorce is more than just a legal process; it’s a human experience.
He has a profound ability to get into the world his clients are experiencing and feeling to uncover the necessary clarity in each divorce relationship dynamic. From there, he uses his gifts to bring a rare sense of calm, resolve and hope.
Shawn has a private practice with Weber Dispute Resolution and has served as the President of Collaborative Practice California, an organization promoting Collaborative Practice throughout the State of California. A father of five, Shawn understands the human side of family law and brings his real life experience to the table for his clients.
*Certified Specialist – Family Law
The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Robin Duboe Seigle, J.D.
FRI Co-Founder & Lead Trainer
Robin Duboe Seigle, J.D., is currently a civil mediator, mediation consultant, a coach for individuals contemplating or beginning the divorce process. She worked for National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) from July 1989 through July 2014 as a Public Relations Coordinator, Mediation Trainer, Court Program Coordinator, and Director of NCRC’s Divorce Mediation Group. Prior to working for NCRC, she became a volunteer mediator in 1984, a mediation trainer in 1985, a large group facilitator in 1987. She has been a member of the California Bar since 1977 and is currently inactive. She has a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA.
Robin learned at the beginning of her law career that mediation was a preferred approach for resolving disputes. Litigation is focused on a win/lose approach whereas mediation focuses on finding a way for all parties to gain something through a negotiated process. It is cost effective, and efficient and, from Robin’s perspective, beneficial in divorce as families are involved.
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