< PreviousLocally –owned provider of virtual office solutions. Our virtual assistants are trained to provide a number of administrative services: • Personal reception • Call screening & forwarding • Scheduling & bid management • Information collection & dissemination • Social Media posting management • Professional address & mailing services GIVE US A CALL! 904-416-3100 1301 Riverplace Blvd, #800 Jacksonville, FL 32207The ability to listen is one of the crucial skills needed to guaran- tee the successful implementa- tion of a mediation process. In most cases, parties involved in a conflict do not naturally listen to each other and when they listen, they only do so to refute what the other party says. This situation frequently creates height- ened emotions, which makes it dif- ficult for the parties to communicate. For this reason, mediation sessions must be grounded in openness and retrospect, allowing both warring parties to effectively see things from the other’s perspective. Firstly, mediators must be excel- lent listeners as they play an integral role in the mediation process. More so, they must have a deep mastery of their emotions, being conscious of the words used as the purpose of peaceful dialogue may be defeated if they are misinterpreted. A prolific listening ability enables mediators to be attentive to parties as they express their viewpoints and understand the unique train of thoughts that have conditioned individual parties to hold their respective stands in a con- flict. Mediators must avoid giving in to prejudice fueled by partisan claims and negative actions to uphold a noble standard of judgment. Specifi- cally, they practice reflective listening and in turn, help the parties to adjust their perspectives. It suffices to say that mediators should be active and passive listeners to effectively identify parties’ motivation while keeping the communication process flowing. As aforementioned, the parties in a conflict equally need to be good lis- teners. In a conflict, the best outcome for involved parties is a peaceful reso- lution. This makes it quite important to listen more to a rival party to arrive at a consensus. Listening to a rival’s plight will enable each party to un- derstand the other’s motivation. Lis- tening is more effective when all par- ties exercise empathy as it helps them to eliminate all bias towards the other party. As much as each party seeks to explain their side of the story, they should be ready to listen and sympa- thize with the other party’s concerns, as this may help each party correct any existing misconceptions about the other party. Listening also helps the parties develop a rapport, which deescalates tense situations and eases the process of resolving conflicts. Listening during conflict resolution sessions involves paying complete at- tention to the conversation. The mind must be intent at every point while listening and the audience should read between the lines, focusing on the context as well as emotions that drive the speakers. The listeners must deter all dialogues in their minds dur- ing the discussion and avoid making judgments in their thoughts. Another critical component of listening active- ly is the use of non-verbal cues. Partic- ipants of conflict resolution processes should use these cues to help them pay more attention to the subjects of the dialogues. For instance, maintain- ing eye contact gives the perception of sincerity and straightforwardness. When addressing an audience, it por- trays confidence and genuineness to maintain eye contact while speaking in a composed but non-condescend- ing tone. It is noteworthy that there are negative non-verbal cues to avoid especially in a conflict situation as they may escalate tensions amidst an existing conflict. Rolling the eyes, giv- ing the finger, yelling, etc. are among the negative cues that could impede a mediation process. The little things matter even at a stage when a resolu- tion is imminent. A single misinter- pretation of body posture or facial expression could set back an immi- nent resolution. A simple handshake could be all it takes to seal a success- ful mediation, which is why the little non-verbal cues are important in a resolution process. Overall, when all stakeholders involved in a mediation use or avoid these non-verbal cues appropriately, they may help create a reassuring environment. In conclusion, every participant in a conflict resolution process is essen- tial to the success of the endeavor. To facilitate a peaceful resolution, me- diators, as well as all stakeholders in a conflict, need to listen keenly dur- ing dialogues, engage with an open mind, set aside partisan beliefs and emotions, and strive to be tolerant. The goal of listening (actively, pas- sively, and reflectively) is to establish a mutual understanding of the unique views of all involved parties in a con- flict, and in turn, induce responses from rivals to properly address long- standing grievances and misconcep- tions across the board. Although this is not the only component of me- diation, it is by far the most important precedent that will determine the out- come of the conflict resolution process. ROBERT WALKER | Mediation Robert is a Certified Florida Supreme Court County, Circuit and Family Mediator. He has a passion for peacefully resolving family issues, eliminating workplace disputes, and improving workforce morale. Robert has mediated disputes and provided a party-centered healthy environment that focuses primarily on the needs, rights, and in- terests of clients. Who Is Really Listening in Conflict Resolution? AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 11“Never give up,” three words that describe not only the philoso- phy of The Sichta Firm, but the advice they share with their cli- ents. Founded by husband and wife attorneys, Rick and Susanne Sichta, this Jacksonville firm is consistently recognized for their representation in criminal defense, post-conviction and criminal and civil appellate law. Based on the Sichta’s respect and interminable belief in the process of our judicial system, their practice concentrates on a highly special- ized area of the law. “Our firm is focused on just one area of the law, which is appeals and post-conviction cases,” says Rick. “That makes us unique. We rarely take cases outside of that niche. However, within that scope is a wide and varied area that includes civil matters, sentences that were perhaps too harsh, or people facing charges they shouldn’t have.” “It’s essentially like working a case in reverse,” adds Susanne. “If you’re a trial attorney you investigate everything and put on the best defense you can for your client. In our work we basically unpackage the case, review everything that happened and then revisit the inves- tigation to determine whether it could have unfolded differently. It’s certainly a different kind of discipline. Authorities of the Appellate BY SUSAN CUSHING A TT ORNEY S OF THE MONTH NEVER GIVE UP” “ RICK SUSANNE ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 5 NO. 5 12“We work closely with experts,” she continues, “investigators and other at- torneys. Having our own firm allows us to choose who the team players are going to be and who is going to be working with us. That’s been pretty rewarding and of course, proven ben- eficial to our clients.” Because The Sichta Firm has han- dled a wide range of appellate and postconviction issues from the coun- ty court level to the United States Su- preme Court, their client base is also representative of their experience, ranging from attorneys, to civil liti- gants, to defendants throughout the State of Florida. “We get dozens of letters a month from people requesting our help, and while we cannot assist all of them, we do take the time to respond to all of them,” says Rick. TEAMWORK Ironically, the phrase “never give up” might just as easily apply to the seemingly preordained partnership between these two dedicated attor- neys. Growing up in a rural Wisconsin community of less than 2,500 people, Rick and Susanne attended the same high school, but after graduation they took divergent paths to pursue their education. Rick left for Duluth to begin his undergraduate studies at the Univer- sity of Minnesota-Duluth. A three- year letter winner on the University’s varsity baseball team, Rick was also first-team Academic All-Conference his junior year. After graduating cum laude, double majoring in criminol- ogy and sociology, he headed for warmer weather attending the Florida Coastal School of Law. There, Rick served as vice president of the Student Bar Association as well as serving on the organization’s Legislative Com- mittee. He also consistently made the honor roll and was a Dean’s scholar. Further expanding his law school experience, Rick spent time in Ireland and Belgium studying international criminal law and intellectual property law as part of the Tulsa University’s law school summer program. This ex- perience lead to his desire to see the world, and among the many places he has traveled is the first base camp of Mt. Everest. Upon receiving his Juris Doctor, Rick joined a boutique law firm here in Jacksonville, where, at just 27 years old he made partner. He is board certified in criminal appellate law, and was the first private attorney in Jacksonville to obtain this certifica- tion. Susanne first attended Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin where she graduated summa cum laude with a dual degree is writing and environ- mental studies. She then moved to Idaho and attended the University of Idaho College of Law for her Juris Doctor. “My greatest ‘takeaway’ from law school was a respect for the law and the process,” she says. Although Susanne’s father was a criminal defense attorney, she origi- nally planned to focus her career on environmental law. However, a ser- endipitous social media experience changed not just her legal focus but the trajectory of her whole life. “I was just finishing up my law de- gree when Rick reached out through social media,” she says. It was the be- ginning of not just a rekindled friend- ship but a romantic spark. “Once we connected on Facebook everything moved pretty fast,” says Rick. “We were engaged a month later and Susanne moved to Jacksonville after graduating from law school.” Her move to Florida also marked a new and growing interest in a differ- ent area of law, and yet one that was quite familiar. “I found myself inextricably drawn to the world of criminal defense,” she says, “and began working with a de- fense firm in downtown Jacksonville.” It didn’t take long for the couple to recognize that their interests meshed nearly as perfectly in the professional arena as in their personal connection. OPEN DOOR POLICY Making the decision to open their own law firm, while it came after sig- nificant consideration and planning, was in fact a very easy decision. “We work well together,” says Rick. “We have different skillsets that com- plement one another. We wanted to do RICK SUSANNE SICHTA AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 13things our way and the way we think works best. Also, on another level, we did it for our children, our family. We knew we wanted to travel and have the flexibility and freedom to both be with our twin daughters.” As it turns out, “free- dom” is not as easy to come by as the couple envisioned, they both work very long hours, frequently losing track of time when immersed in a case. However, long before the pandemic made it the norm, the couple had essentially perfected their ability to work remotely. “It’s definitely been a learning curve and an adventure,” says Su- sanne. “Having our own practice allows us the autonomy and the op- portunity to design our own business model that not only best serves our particular clientele but also our lifestyle.” “One of the primary reasons we wanted to be independent, is to have the ability to choose what cases we want to work on,” Rick adds. “We realized we’re not going to make as much money as we did when we handled a larger caseload, but we wanted to focus on those cases we really believed in.” Both of these dedicated attorneys also have very strong feelings, al- most a driving sense of obligation, to offer support and representation to those who otherwise might not be able to afford it. Despite the de- mand for their services, The Sichta Firm always seems to find time to carry a substantial number of pro bono cases. “Our door is always open, regardless of whether people have money or not. It’s something that I believe is important to us and to our firm,” says Rick. “We are completely open to anybody, including other attor- neys. Everybody has our cell phone numbers. Several times a week I’m trying to give good advice to attorneys by providing them case law or advice on trial strategies and hope I am offering something beneficial to them. People trust us to provide answers to their appellate ques- tions, and it’s a great source of pride that we’re in a position to do that.” Rick also started a Facebook page over a decade ago dedicated to providing pro bono services across the country. “We have over 2,000 members from all over the world with dozens of attorneys who are willing to lend a hand to people who cannot afford an attorney,” Rick says. “I never thought it would go anywhere, but thanks to a lot of professionals who like to give back to the community, the page has really taken off.” “For me, the greatest reward is helping people navigate a difficult legal situation and getting a good result,” says Susanne. “Whether that means negotiating a lesser sentence, succeeding in a civil case, or vacating a conviction, ultimately my greatest joy in this profession is helping people who are in need.” The greatest satisfaction for Rick is when all the parties in a case agree on an outcome for a deserving client. “It is a feeling that is dif- ficult to put into words when everyone in a case comes together and ensures justice is done,” he says. “It is a humbling experience to be a part of because the parties know that person’s life is going to change forever.” At A Glance THE SICHTA FIRM, LLC 301 W. Bay St., Suite 14124 Jacksonville, FL 32202 (904) 329-7246 www.sichtalaw.com PRACTICE AREAS Civil Appeals Criminal Appeals Criminal Postconviction RICK SICHTA EDUCATION Juris Doctor, Florida Coastal School of Law Bachelor of Science, University of Minnesota-Duluth HONORS Board Certified in Criminal Appeals Super Lawyers Rising Starts, 2012-2017 Super Lawyers, 2019-2020 HOBBIES Playing Baseball Hiking Reading Science Fiction Photography Writing Music FAVORITE QUOTE Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest. – Hermann Hesse SUSANNE SICHTA EDUCATION Juris Doctor, University of Idaho College of Law, 2008 Bachelor of Science, Northland College, 2003 HONORS Suma Cum Laude, Northland College Pro Bono Service Award, University of Idaho College of Law Rising Star, Super Lawyer’s Magazine, 2016-2020 HOBBIES Reading Backcountry Hiking Snowboarding International Travel Gardening FAVORITE QUOTE When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. – Toni MorrisonAALM: How would you de- scribe your practice? What is your main area of law? What drew you to that practice? KJ: For nearly my entire legal career, my law practice has focused exclusively on family law and rep- resenting clients through compli- cated divorce, alimony and child custody cases. Typically, when I am involved, there are certain needs in the case like confronting a difficult or intimidating person, an important long-term support claim, business valuation or asset tracing issue, or a serious issue involving the safety and wellbeing of children. AALM: Do you have any mentors or profes- sors that encourage you? KJ: Yes, I feel fortunate to have gained in- valuable experience from working with long- time mentors and family law pioneers Barry and Elliot Zisser. I appreciate that Elliot and Bar- ry, as well as the other lawyers in my firm, share in the excite- ment of my accomplishments and offer support and guidance through the more challenging times. In addition, my brother, Christopher Bruce, who is a marital and family law lawyer in South Florida, has had a pro- found impact on my legal career. He is the reason I decided to go to law school, and ever since, he has continued to help guide my career and build my practice in family law. AALM: What do you find par- ticularly rewarding about being an attorney? KJ: In family law, my role is often more than a lawyer assessing and advising a client on their legal rights. The cases I handle are ex- ceptionally challenging on many fronts, and I strive to take on these cases because I know my clients (and their children) will have a dra- matically improved and transformed life once the divorce is over. It is rewarding to know I am responsible for helping my clients achieve this type of life transformation—it motivates me each day to continue dedicating myself to my clients and law practice. AALM: What do you find particularly chal- lenging about your practice? How to you overcome these challenges? KJ: While rewarding, it can also be quite difficult to go through such a dramatic life event with your client. Sometimes, I am ex- pected to immediately “fix” all the problems that have been building for years. AALM: What drew you to your current firm? How would you describe the culture there? How would you describe your role within the firm? KJ: Simply stated, Zisser Family Law has a long-standing reputation for excellence and professionalism in the legal community. Dur- ing law school, one of my adjunct professors told me Zisser Law was the best family law firm in North Florida, and I wanted to be part of the firm ever since. I was asked to join in 2015 and feel grateful I have the opportunity to carry on and contribute to the firm’s reputa- tion and service in our community. AALM: What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Hobbies? Sports? KJ: Being that I devote a substantial amount of time to my practice, I cherish all time spent with my growing family, which includes my husband, our 2-year-old daughter, and an- other baby girl on the way in December 2020! Outside of spending time with family, my in- terests include exercising, fashion, and any- thing outdoors, especially involving sunshine and saltwater. AALM: What do you most hope to accom- plish in the future? KJ: It is a goal of mine to become board cer- tified in marital and family law, and I plan to sit for the exam in March 2021. On a personal level, I strive to be the best version of myself as a wife and mother to my family every day. RISING STAR Katie Johnson A Transformative Practice While rewarding, it can also be quite difficult to go through such a dramatic life event with your client. Sometimes, I am expected to immediately ‘fix’ all the problems that have been building for years.” ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 5 NO. 5 16AALM: What drew you to a career as an attorney? KM: I didn’t realize it until I was practicing already. Dur- ing my first Public Defender trial I yelled out “Objection” and the judge said “Sustained”. Not a big deal, but I recall thinking, “Yep, you’re a trial attorney now.” Of course, I was not a trial attorney, but I wanted to become one. I always wanted to become an FBI agent like my father. To improve my credentials, I joined the Army at 18, grad- uated college as a commissioned officer, and applied for law school. When I passed the bar exam, the FBI was on a hiring freeze, so. I accepted a job as a public defender. After that first trial, I never looked back. AALM: What drew you to litigation? KM: The challenge and the impact. Litigators have to convince a group of total strangers, who distrust attor- neys, to pay your client money. Our clients have suffered catastrophic losses. They want to tell their story and wait years for that opportunity. Trial attorneys are often their last hope. Great trial attorneys can captivate a jury. Jurors will sit forward and hang on their every word. Seeing that firsthand is remarkable. Learning those skills and impact- ing my clients’ life is what drives me. AALM: Tell us about your current mentors. KM: I consider Bob Spohrer and Steve Browning to be mentors. Both are highly experienced trial attorneys who approach the law in different, but equally effective ways. Bob is fearless and creative. He is a master at developing theories of liability that are often overlooked and method- ically chipping away at defenses to hold tortfeasors to ac- count. Steve is similarly skilled at finding coverage for our clients’ injuries where seemingly none existed. He is also an excellent strategist and incredibly fun to try cases with. They both have an enthusiasm for litigation that is conta- gious and seems to motivate everyone at the firm. AALM: What drew you to your current firm? KM: My wife introduced me to Bob Spohrer after I re- turned from a deployment to the Middle East. After sever- al lunches and meeting the other partners, I knew I wanted to be a part of this law firm. Bob told me about litigating against Blackwater and the CIA, a helicopter crash in Ke- nya, and an Air Force beer run gone wrong in Timbuktu. I was amazed at the complexity of the cases and impressed by how welcoming the attorneys were. Each attorney is highly experienced and contributes to each other’s cases. That collaborative environment is the type of practice that I have always wanted to be a part of. It is what makes our firm successful at litigating difficult cases. AALM: What types of cases have you handled at the firm? LITIGA T OR SPO TLIGHT Keith L. Maynard CHALLENGE AND IMPACT ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · FIRST COAST · VOL. 5 NO. 5 18... own your mistakes even if it means losing face in public.” KM: A wide variety. I recently finished collecting judgments (for gunshot victims) against a rapper and his manager by garnishing their royalties in New York and Delaware. We successfully represented the parents and widow of two soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Af- ghanistan. We also represented the family of a crew member from the El Faro. Currently we are investigating an F/A-18 crash in Japan, liti- gating a military ejection seat case in New Mexico, litigating a B-17G crash in Connecticut, representing a retired MLB coach in chewing tobacco litigation and representing the widow of a crewmember who died fighting fires last year in Australia. We also represent passengers on the Miami Air crash that landed in the St. Johns River last year and recovered damages for over 30 students from a shuttered educational program. The variety of cases keeps things exciting. AALM: Of the cases you’ve worked on, what has stood out most in your mind? KM: For most of our clients, money is not the goal. They want to be heard. They want the person or company that injured them or took their family member away to take responsibility and promise to do better. When we resolved a crash that killed two soldiers, the defense attorneys agreed to tell our clients what steps the company was taking to prevent an accident like that in the future. When we left, the moth- ers hugged the defense counsel and thanked them for their sincere words. AALM: What is a lesson you have learned from litigating complex cases? KM: It sounds basic, but you have to be familiar with every detail of your case. I am often surprised by the overconfidence of oppos- ing counsel when I have seen damning evidence in their discovery. In our cases there tends to be discovery involving volumes of technical documents. My paralegal Sarah and I go through it all page by page which can take years. I have attended multiple hearings and media- tions where opposing counsel did not know what they had given me. Instead, they rely on an expert or the defendant to advise them. I think that is a huge mistake. AALM: Working with senior partners, what is a trait they have that you would like to carry through to the next generation of lawyers? KM: The partners I work with all have two traits in common that I think every young attorney should seek to emulate. They are confi- dent yet modest. The confidence comes from their vast experience and thorough preparation on every case. The modesty comes from their understanding that there is more than one effective approach to every case and that there is always more to learn. AALM: What experience in the courtroom has taught you the most about being a good litigator? KM: Early in my career I defended a teen- ager charged with resisting arrest. He was jumped by some kids because he was black. The police who responded let the assailants go but decided to search my bloodied client. He refused the search and began slowly walking away. The officers tried to place my client un- der arrest, and he resisted. My client was then slammed on the hood of a car and taken to jail for several days. During the bench trial, I called five eyewit- nesses to testify. After the third witness, the judge, whose docket was behind, wanted me to stipulate to the last two witnesses’ testi- mony. I refused, knowing the importance of the last two witnesses’ testimony. The judge exploded. When they finished, the judge real- ized his mistake and apologized to me in front of the crowd. His verdict, “not guilty.” I learned from that experience that if you are prepared, trust yourself at trial. Also, own your mistakes even if it means losing face in public. That judge earned my respect that day. AALM: What are you most proud to have accomplished thus far? KM: A great family. I am extremely proud of my wife Jennifer, who is a well-respected fam- ily and sports medicine physician at the Mayo Clinic and the mother of our two beautiful children. We have built a life here , both pro- fessionally and personally, that has exceeded our expectations. SPOHRER & DODD, P.L. 76 S. Laura St., Suite 1701 Jacksonville, FL 32202 (904) 309-6500 www.sdlitigation.com KEITH L. MAYNARD , BOARD CERTIFIED IN AVIATION LAW AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 19Next >