From Discord to Resolution
BROWN LAW & MEDIATION, PLLC
We're committed to creative, kind, and effective mediation.
Brown Law & Mediation helps families navigate separation with creativity and kindness.
Separation is a deeply personal process, bringing a cacophony of emotions—anger, relief, guilt, hope, frustration.
Our role is to help individuals resolve this dissonance so that they can go their separate ways with new senses of alignment and resolution.
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With extensive experience in both mediation and litigation, we provide creative legal solutions, whether guiding clients through prenuptial agreements, paternity establishment, divorce, child custody matters, adoption, or the termination of parental rights.
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FAQs
What is a mediator?
A mediator serves as a neutral facilitator, guiding conversations between parties to help them reach mutual agreements. Unlike a judge or attorney, the mediator does not make decisions or offer legal advice. Instead, they create a structured, balanced environment where each party can express their concerns, explore options, and negotiate solutions. The goal is to promote communication, understanding, and fair outcomes without the need for court intervention.
What is family law litigation?
Family law litigation is the process of two individuals separating their resources (if there was a marriage), their parenting time with any children they have together, and determining whether either party owes regular financial support to the other or to the children. If the parties don't agree on how all of these issues should be addressed, then there may be a trial where each party presents their evidence and arguments to the judge so that the judge can make all of the decisions for the parties. At the end of litigation, the judge will issue a judgment, which is a legally enforceable document that tells the parties how and when they will split their resources, parenting time, and financial support (if applicable).
What is family law mediation?
Family law mediation is a process that allows the parties in a family law case to determine issues such as resource division, child custody, and financial support without needing a judge to make those decisions for the parties. Often, individuals wind up in mediation because a family law judge has ordered them to do so. However, individuals can choose to mediate prior to involving the court system and then file their agreement as a judgment for a judge to sign.
How is mediation different from litigation?
Unlike litigation, mediation leaves the decision-making up to the parties. There will still be a judgment at the end of the mediation, but its provisions will have been drafted by the parties (or their counsel if applicable). Mediation fosters cooperative problem-solving, while litigation involves legal representation and court intervention. Mediation often leads to quicker, cost-effective resolutions, whereas litigation may be necessary for complex or high-conflict cases.
How does it work?
With the help of a mediator, the parties meet and try to come to an agreement about their assets, children, and any applicable financial support. The mediator helps the parties address all of the issues that would need to be in their judgment; the mediator helps the parties stay focused if they begin to get caught in arguments; the mediator helps the parties move through strong emotions that may skew their ideas about expectations.
What happens if mediation doesn't result in an agreement?
If mediation fails to produce a resolution, parties can proceed with litigation. However, even unsuccessful mediation often narrows the disputes, making litigation more efficient.
How much does mediation cost compared to litigation?
Mediation is generally more affordable than litigation, as it reduces court fees, attorney costs, and time spent in legal proceedings.
About Lessie Brown
​With over a decade of experience in family law, Lessie Brown has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families navigate legal challenges with clarity and compassion. Before founding Brown Law & Mediation, she began her legal journey at Idaho Legal Aid Services, focusing on family law for victims and survivors of domestic violence. She later spent time advocating at Disability Rights Idaho, where she assisted individuals with disabilities in guardianship and discrimination matters. Most recently, Lessie served as an associate attorney at Leavitt Ryan in Boise, Idaho.
Originally from Oklahoma, Lessie moved to Idaho in 2000 to begin her undergraduate studies at BYU-Idaho, earning a bachelor’s degree in English with minors in French and philosophy. She later pursued her law degree at the Alexander Blewitt School of Law in Missoula, Montana, where she focused on mediation and domestic violence law.​
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At the heart of Lessie’s approach are her values: kindness and candor. Whether guiding families through mediation or providing legal counsel, kindness and candor help her guide clients through the discord of separation to resolutions that provide a clear path forward as individuals go their separate ways.
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When she’s not working, Lessie enjoys singing, reading, gardening, and writing, often finding inspiration in the natural rhythms of the world around her.
