Ryan McLaughlin

Description of Practice

Flannel People Mediation offers a refreshing, practical approach to conflict resolution. Led by Ryan McLaughlin, a former practicing lawyer turned mediator, we provide affordable, fully virtual services that help clients address challenges from the comfort of their own home.

Professional Background

Ryan McLaughlin’s career reflects a blend of legal expertise, creative problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Before transitioning fully into mediation, Ryan spent several years practicing law, working across a variety of areas involving family matters, small businesses, and estate planning. This legal experience informs his ability to anticipate challenges and provide legally sound guidance in mediation, helping clients navigate complex dynamics with confidence.

Ryan holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law, an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, and a BA in Political Science from Carleton College. This diverse background enables him to facilitate nuanced conversations with empathy, insight, and creativity.

He continues to engage with restorative organizations like The Katalasso Group and Restoring Home. Outside of mediation, Ryan enjoys slacklining, ultimate frisbee, playing piano, yoga, and baking—balancing professional work with personal passions

Mediation Experience

Ryan McLaughlin brings a wealth of mediation expertise, grounded in transformative mediation principles and informed by his practical legal background. His approach emphasizes self-determination, reflective listening, and creativity, ensuring that parties retain control of their outcomes while navigating conflict collaboratively. Trained by Dan Simon in transformative facilitative mediation, Ryan focuses on helping individuals regain their voice and understanding when communication breaks down.

His practice spans high-conflict family cases, business partner disputes, and end-of-life planning, with a strong emphasis on de-escalating conflict to foster problem-solving. Ryan’s civil mediation training equips him to manage diverse disputes, including landlord-tenant conflicts and business separations, while his parenting consultant training ensures families are supported through challenging transitions. Known for creating a relaxed and welcoming environment, Ryan’s sessions feature casual attire, reflective tools like tingsha bells, and an easygoing atmosphere to encourage productive dialogue.

Ryan’s core services include:

Divorce & Separation Mediation – Facilitating respectful conversations around parenting time, child welfare, and co-parenting plans to minimize conflict and build sustainable agreements.
Couples Conflict Coaching – Using data-driven strategies grounded in research, Ryan helps couples develop practical communication skills, manage conflict, and rebuild trust.
Business Partner Mediation – Exclusively designed for co-founders and business partners, this service resolves disputes, aligns goals, and creates agreements that protect relationships and ventures.
End-of-Life Mediation – Guiding families through sensitive discussions around legacy, care decisions, and final wishes, promoting closure, shared understanding, and peaceful outcomes.

Mediation Approach & Philosophy

### **Mediation Approach & Philosophy** My mediation practice is grounded in the principles of **self-determination, creativity, and reflective listening.** I believe that the power to resolve conflict lies with the parties themselves, and my role is to help them tap into that power. Mediation offers an opportunity for people to regain control over difficult situations, and I see my job as both a **translator** and **amplifier**, helping each party feel heard and understood when communication has broken down. Conflict often creates emotional noise that prevents people from truly hearing one another. In these moments, a **neutral third party** can be instrumental in facilitating clarity. By rephrasing, reframing, and reflecting back what each person is expressing, I help break through entrenched positions, making space for productive conversations and collaborative problem-solving. I approach mediation with a **creative and interdisciplinary mindset**. Creativity is more than just a buzzword in my practice—it’s about applying **custom strategies** and tools drawn from diverse fields to de-escalate conflict and unlock solutions. My training in **transformative mediation**, guided by Dan Simon, emphasizes empowering parties to shift from conflict to collaboration, helping them rebuild understanding and engage meaningfully in their own resolution process. With experience spanning **family disputes, business conflicts, and end-of-life planning**, I tailor my mediation style to the unique needs of each case. I aim to foster a **comfortable, relaxed environment**, encouraging open dialogue through informal elements—like **casual attire, humor, and even a tingsha bell**—while maintaining professionalism and focus on achieving meaningful outcomes. Above all, my philosophy is centered on the belief that **everyone’s voice matters**, and my goal is to create a space where those voices can be heard, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Complex Case Experience

### **Complex Case Experience**  
My mediation experience spans a wide range of **complex and high-conflict cases**, where emotions run high, and solutions are not always obvious. I’ve worked with families navigating **challenging custody disputes, intricate parenting time arrangements, and high-conflict separations**. In these emotionally charged situations, I draw from my background as a **former practicing attorney** to help clients address both legal and relational concerns while focusing on **sustainable solutions** that minimize conflict.  

In the business realm, I’ve facilitated **business partner and co-founder mediations**, helping individuals resolve disagreements that could threaten their ventures. These cases often require delicate negotiation and **clear goal alignment**, ensuring both professional relationships and business interests are preserved. I focus on building **detailed, actionable agreements** that allow partners to move forward with mutual understanding, avoiding costly and time-consuming litigation.  

I also bring experience in **end-of-life mediation**, guiding families through difficult conversations about **legacy, care decisions, and final wishes**. These cases often involve navigating complex emotions like grief, uncertainty, and fear. My approach in these scenarios is to **hold space for every voice**, facilitating honest conversations that provide **closure and shared understanding** among family members.

In handling these diverse cases, I rely on a **combination of legal insight, transformative mediation strategies, and creative problem-solving tools**. My training allows me to adapt to the unique dynamics of each situation, whether de-escalating conflict in **parenting disputes** or crafting **practical solutions for business conflicts**. I aim to empower all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering outcomes that feel both fair and achievable.  

Every complex case requires flexibility, patience, and empathy. Whether working through family conflict, business challenges, or emotionally charged end-of-life discussions, my goal is to **guide clients toward collaborative solutions** that offer peace of mind and set the foundation for positive, long-term outcomes.

Fees

Contact us for specific fees. (763) 316-8323 flannelpeoplemediation.com/contact

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