Hilary Linton
Experienced Mediation Trainer
J.D., LL.M., FDRP. Med (Certified Specialist in Family Mediation), Acc. FM., Cert. F. Med., CP Med. (Certified Child Protection Mediator for Ontario), FDRP. Arb (Certified Specialist in Family Arbitration)
(416) 593-0210[email protected]Hilary Linton practiced civil and family law in Toronto for 14 years. In 2000 she left her law partnership to study dispute resolution. She founded Riverdale Mediation Ltd. in 2001. Riverdale Mediation is now a collaboration of three family lawyers and a retired judge offering mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination, training and consulting services. Hilary founded Toronto Family Mediation Services (mediate393 inc) to deliver family mediation and information services at Toronto’s Superior and Provincial Courts of Justice.
Hilary has a long history of volunteer work in her legal and ADR community including as a past chair of the Ontario Bar Association ADR section; a former Director of the Ontario Association of Family Mediation, and as a founder and Director of the Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario.
Ms. Linton is often retained to design and deliver specialized mediation, negotiation, and arbitration workshops for groups of legal professionals, government Ministries and Agencies, faith communities, corporations, and community groups. She also custom-designs and delivers workshops for lawyers, mediators, and arbitrators, including accreditation and certification eligible and Law Society accredited programs in mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination, family law, and screening for family violence and power imbalances in Family Dispute Resolution.
Hilary has been fortunate to travel to many parts of the world to speak and teach before Covid 19. She has learned much from working with colleagues across the Caribbean; in South Africa; in England, Ireland, Sweden, and Portugal; across Canada from Nunavut to PEI; and in several American States.
As a result of Covid-19, all of the work done by Ms. Linton and her team has migrated online. Much has been learned and in many ways, access to high-quality family mediation, arbitration, parenting coordination and training has never been better. But it has been isolating and we are all hoping for a return to more human connection soon.
Testimonials
Family lawyers should consider the education and training offered by Hilary Linton and Riverdale Mediation to be mandatory professional development. Hilary methodically teaches the theory and practice of interest-based negotiation, rapport building, and conflict management. More importantly, the diverse group of professionals that Riverdale attracts creates a unique learning environment for the exchange of fresh perspectives and novel ideas in the arena of family conflict. Hilary’s program is well designed for Family law specialists who wish to hone their skills and become better listeners, counselors, negotiators, and advocates. This should be a required program for any Family lawyer, including the most seasoned counsel, who need to sharpen their skills and be better equipped to serve separating parents and families.
Really enjoyed the course and benefitted greatly from the material shared and the expertise of all the presenters. Hilary was incredible. Thank you!
