Martin Prost was
born on a farm in what is now the east end of Hamilton, Ontario, where
hard work and common sense were the key ingredients of everyday life.
After finishing High School in Stoney Creek, he obtained his first university
degree in an Honours bachelor of arts program, not surprisingly at McMaster
University. He then proceeded to London for his law degree at the University
of Western Ontario.
During the
course of his practice of law, established in 1974 in the Town of Midland,
his interest gravitated to family law and other areas of law involving
personal conflict. From there he developed an interest and aptitude in
conflict resolution skills, beginning with a relational
mediation course in California in 1981. Thereafter, he added to those
skills by experience along the way and by further courses in Alternative
Dispute Resolution at the University of Windsor and a course
in Divorce and Child Custody Mediation with CDR Associates
in Boulder, Colorado.
This led
to an interest in family group conferencing and restorative
justice circles which are based on similar principles. In 1998 he brought
together the local Family Court Judge, the Chief of Police, the school
Attendance Officer, and other interested community members to establish
the
Program. This program provides young offenders with an alternative to
Youth Court by meeting directly with the victims of their offending behaviour
in order to take personal responsibility for repairing the harm done,
including restoring their own sense of self worth and respect for others.
More recently, he has been able to apply these same principles in the
healing and renewal of a local church community. This process was well
received.
He continues
as a member of the Conflict Resolution Network Canada,
the Association for Conflict Resolution and CB
Partners, an international community building association. His
personal belief is that conflict is a valuable resource that should never
be taken away from those directly involved except as a last resort, and
then only as a temporary measure. Situations that involve conflict should
be welcomed as opportunities for growth and renewal for partners, families
and communities alike.
My
name is Martin Prost. I have 30 years of experience as a lawyer. I do
have the training, skills and experience to help you through the legal
system. However, it is my personal and professional belief that many,
if not most problems and disputes can be better resolved through mediation
and conflict resolution and mediation. Though I had high hopes to accomplish
a lot of good in my legal work, I feel I can do more good in supporting
clients and their families in a more non-adversarial process. Mediation
and restorative justice can honour all parties and give each person the
valuable opportunity to share the complicated nature of their lives, their
relationships and their decisions, and to hear the same sharing from others.
With time allowed for this type of sharing, it is often easier to reach
an agreement, to feel heard, and to start some emotional healing.
People that have come
in to see me are sometimes surprised that there can be some space to listen
to their feelings, and that their feelings, beliefs and values are important
in making their own decisions on whether to choose mediation or the court
process. I believe that if I take the time to hear your personal story,
I will be better able to help you, and we can develop some shared understanding
about your case. Though dealing with a dispute is difficult on many levels,
having felt heard and understood helps a person to heal a bit inside themself.
My
qualifications and skills:
MEDIATION
TRAINING
20 August 2004
Counselor Certificate, The Lifespace Institute of Transformational
Psychotherapy, Toronto, Ont.
4 year part time course of study and practicums in life centered
transformational psychotherapy. Facilitator's certificate received 31
August 2002.
17 March
1997
P.E.T. Course Psychological Type Press Inc., Victoria,
B.C.
Certification course for administering and interpreting personality type
indicators.
27 January
1995
Divorce & Child Custody Mediation CDR Associates,
Boulder, Colorado
5 day course in mediating the resolution of disputes arising from divorce.
5 November
1994
Advanced ADR, University of Windsor
5 day course in the techniques of mediation, arbitration and multi party
dispute
resolution.
25 September
1994
Introduction to ADR, University of Windsor
3 day course in principles and practice of principled negotiation and
mediation.
1 March 1981
Relational Mediation, The Mediation Institute of California
3 day
course in mediation of family disputes.
GROUP
FACILITATION TRAINING
22 April
2001
Training for Facilitators A.V.P., Kitchener
Facilitation of forums in correctional institutions.
10 April
2000
Community Facilitation Program - F.C.E., Seattle, Washington
Certificate course for facilitation of community building forums.
2 May 1999
Community Justice Forum Facilitator
Certificate course based on RCMP Saskatchewan model of community justice.
3 April 1998
Restorative Justice Circles, Humber College of Applied
Arts and Technology
Training course on the principles and application of addressing conflict
and crime by restoration
and integration.
CONTACT
US:
MARTIN
J. PROST, B.A., LL.B.
Barrister, Solicitor, Notary Public
323
Midland Avenue
Box 96
Midland, Ontario
L4R 4K6
Tel:
705 526 9328
Fax: 705 526 1209
Email: prostlaw@bellnet. ca
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