Theresa L. W. Dunn, Professional Mediator
P.O. Box 3012, Littleton, CO 80161
303-351-1604
Curriculum Vitae
Theresa L. W. Dunn received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2002 from Vassar College and her Juris Doctorate in 2005 from The University of Colorado School of Law. While at C.U. Law School, Theresa was senior editor of the Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law & Policy and president of the Environmental Law Society. At Vassar College, Theresa was an elected member of the Judicial Academic Board and captain of the Varsity Fencing Team. Theresa started her career as a family law litigator with The Law Firm of Dennis A. Lacerte in 2006. Her trial experience includes high-conflict domestic relations disputes regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody), divorce and post-decree issues, maintenance (spousal support), asset and debt division, and consumer bankruptcy law.
Theresa took the Collaborative Law Training in September, 2007, and the 40-Hour Mediation Training with Judy Mares-Dixon in January, 2014. In 2018, Theresa’s passion for alternative dispute resolution led her to open her own firm focusing exclusively on mediation.
Education:
University of Colorado School of Law, Boulder, Colorado: Juris Doctorate, May 2005.
Editor, Colorado Journal of International Environmental Law & Policy, 2004-2005
President, Environmental Law Society, 2003-2004
Treasurer, Environmental Law Society, 2002-2003
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, May 2002.
Elected Member, Judicial Academic Board
Captain, Varsity Fencing Team
Studied abroad in Auckland, New Zealand
Legal Experience:
Private Mediator, March 2018 – Present
- Assists couples through the process of mediating their Colorado domestic relations dispute (dissolution of marriage or allocation of parental responsibilities).
- Helps couples communicate their different perspectives, discuss their needs and interests, and discover workable solutions to resolve their conflict.
Attorney and Mediator at The Law Firm of Dennis A. Lacerte, Centennial, CO, May 2006 – March 2018
- Maintained an active caseload with most new clients coming in based on referrals from prior clients.
- Family Law practice focused on Mediation, Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Dissolution of Marriage, Post-Decree Issues, and Stepparent Adoptions, often settled through a collaborative approach and sometimes being resolved by contested litigation at Temporary and Permanent Orders hearings.
- Bankruptcy Law practice included both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for individuals, married couples, and couples involved in ongoing domestic relations proceedings.
Law Clerk at the Boulder City Attorney’s Office, Boulder, CO, June 2004 – June 2005
- Participated in the administrative litigation of an employment termination hearing against the city, including pre-trial investigation of pertinent issues, witness preparation, and writing the opening statement.
- Other duties included prosecuting traffic violation cases in municipal court and drafting memoranda on topics ranging from development of the proposed Transit Village to liquor licensing regulation.
Externship at the Boulder County Juvenile Court, Boulder, CO, August – December 2003
- Researched, visited, and developed a database for approximately forty juvenile placement centers throughout Colorado under the guidance of Magistrate Tijani Cole.
- Completed an educational presentation for Colorado Juvenile Judges on child placement alternatives, evaluating and enumerating the services available for the youth at each location.
Training:
- 40 Hours of Mediation Training with Judy Mares-Dixon in January, 2014.
- Level I Collaborative Law Training in September, 2007.
Other Activities:
Mentor with Colorado Youth at Risk, Denver, CO
- Paired with one disadvantaged youth from George Washington High School. Participated in training programs and met regularly with this youth and her family for five years.
Assistant Instructor at the Colorado Mountain Club, Denver, CO
- Helped organize and lead advanced ski mountaineering courses involving lecture sessions and ski tours in the Colorado backcountry.
Instructor at Praying Hands Therapeutic Riding Center, Parker, CO
- Taught horseback riding to the mentally and physically handicapped, working alongside certified instructors, physical therapists and occupational therapists in all aspects of the therapeutic horseback riding process.
References: Available upon request.