Page 25 - Dallas Vol 5 No 1

Colorful brochures featuring dra- matic savannahs dotted with wil- debeest, elephants, and acacia trees beckon tourists to visit the beauty and serenity that is Kenya. is,
however was only a part of the excursion Sharon Corsentino recently experienced.
It was a few days before anksgiving last year when Corsentino found herself sur- rounded not by majestic wildlife but rather, an angry mob worked up to fever pitch.
Trapped in a minivan, she and her fellow passengers were engulfed in a full- edged riot. An angry, human mass swarmed the streets, loudly and ferociously expressing their anger over the Supreme Court’s rati - cation of the country’s recent election results.
Being an American was certainly not an advantage, and, except for the calm, yet quick-thinking initiative on the part of their driver, the scenario may have had a very di erent outcome.
“It was truly frightening,” says Corsen- tino. “We were in an area where few tour- ists go, but, under that political climate, it was particularly precarious. If not for our driver, who not only spoke the local lan- guage, but had the composure and astute- ness to negotiate our passage through the human blockade, I’m not sure what would have happened. I learned later that the ‘ransom’ he paid for our being allowed to pass through a road that the rioters had blocked was the equivalent of 20 cents.”
e real irony is that Corsentino’s pur- pose for being in Kenya was to help lead a workshop in mediation and con ict reso- lution at a conference for 40 pastors, law- yers and law students in the region. Having heard of a wonderful organization with a stellar reputation for the strides they’re making in helping educate people in vari- ous African nations about alternative dis- pute resolution, Corsentino volunteered to participate in one of their seminars which happened to be in Kenya. She hopes to participate again in the future.
“As scary and alarming as the situation was sitting in that minivan, it fortunately lasted only minutes, and it gave me per- spective about the reason why we were there in the rst place.” Corsentino says, “Overall, I felt very safe and it was an iso- lated incident.”
Litigation to Mediation –
The Big Leap
Prior to making the decision to devote her practice to mediation, Corsentino had built a very successful family law practice. In addition, since 2014, she’s served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Texas teaching family law me- diation. Formerly, she also served as an adjunct professor in the con ict manage- ment and dispute resolution program at El Centro College in the Dallas County Com- munity College District.
Although for more than a dozen years Corsentino demonstrated an impressive aptitude for litigation representing fami- lies throughout North Texas while grace- fully mingling frequent mediations into her practice, by 2016 she began to experi- ence a vague feeling of restlessness. Dis- cussing this still ambiguous presentiment with her husband, Corsentino determined to explore its source and engaged in some serious soul-searching.
It didn’t take long to recognize and identify her true calling – mediation. Even as a child and later a young adult, she recalls being the one in her group of friends who others would turn to in times of con ict. So genuine is her passion for this work, she’s even able to convert the most stoic non-believers.
In a recent mediation, Corsentino asked one of the parties if he had ever been in mediation. “No, this is my rst time,” he responded, “and I’ll never do it again. is will be a complete waste of time. We’re not going to settle.” Once the case was settled, she reminded him of his comments. He
smiled and apologized. “I really didn’t think you’d be able to settle the case and I guess it’s kind of the devil you don’t know situation. You don’t know what you’re get- ting into in a mediation.”
“It feels good to change someone’s mind,” she admits modestly.
Some people are born peacemakers, and it would seem Corsentino is among this special group.
“I have a passion for mediation,” she says. “It’s such a rewarding feeling to watch anger and con ict dissolve under peaceful mediation. I realized it’s something I want share with those who don’t have access to it. It’s taken me places I had not expected, including Kenya.”
e unexpected drama notwithstand- ing, Corsentino says of her Kenya visit, “ ey were some of the most gracious and welcoming people I’ve ever met. ere was de nitely a desire from them for more in- formation about alternative dispute reso- lution. It’s given me a hunger for doing more internationally.”
Corsentino and her husband Chad share a love of travel and hope to visit every state in the United States and every continent in the world. “We love exploring new places, meeting new people and experiencing dif- ferent cultures. Chad and I have a very full life. We have wonderful friends and family.”
Corsentino dedicates time volunteering for various disaster relief organizations and she and Chad have donated supplies, food staples and even their own elbow grease to help victims of tornados in Oklahoma and Texas as well as Hurricane Harvey.
“I feel so fortunate,” says Corsentino. “I love what I do. I really enjoy helping people come up with their own solutions rather than waiting for someone in a black robe telling them what it’s going to be.”
Sharon Corsentino Mediations PLLC
(214) 937-9209 www.sharoncorsentino.com