Waugh Law & Mediation
Waugh Law & Mediation is a small, client-centered law and mediation firm serving clients in Virginia and West Virginia
Brenda Waugh opened a private practice of law in September 2000 after a successful career practicing law in public service. Since then, she has assisted hundreds of families with their legal problems, ranging from car accidents, insurance disputes, crime victim's compensation, consumer issues, and civil rights.
After learning about the potential of mediation, collaborative law, and restorative justice while completing a master's degree at Eastern Mennonite University in 2009, she changed the firm's focus to increase the options for resolution with these methods.
To learn more about our practice, visit our blog, or browse through our recent newsletters. You can also follow us on social media:
Frequently Asked Questions about Waugh Law & Mediation
(You can find additional answers to your questions here about mediation, family mediation, and Brenda’s experience.)
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In addition to mediation and legal practice, we provide facilitation, design, and training in restorative justice. We collaborate with schools and courts to design and implement restorative justice and restorative practice initiatives.
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Waugh Law & Mediation has offices in Leesburg, Virginia, and Charles Town, West Virginia. We see clients by appointment only. Our Charles Town office is situated at 202 North Charles Street, and our Leesburg office is conveniently located at 15 North King Street, in the downtown area. We also conduct mediation at locations throughout Virginia and West Virginia and online.
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Absolutely, you can reach us at 540-501-5501 or 304-728-3660. However, many of your inquiries can be addressed during a free consultation, which you can schedule now.
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Yes, we provide a newsletter at least quarterly. You may subscribe here.
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When considering hiring a lawyer, it's essential to first identify your dispute, your goals, and perhaps your legal problem. We recommend meeting with several lawyers and mediators to learn about their experience and determine if it aligns with your needs. Our office offers a free meeting with Brenda to discuss your legal issues and goals.
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You can easily schedule an appointment here. Alternatively, call the office at 304-728-3660 or 540-501-5501 or email our office to schedule a meeting.
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Yes, you can schedule a free consultation online anytime.
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Our office offers various services, including mediation in civil, business, family, and intergenerational conflicts and other areas. We provide preventative legal services, including document preparation and estate planning. We facilitate restorative justice dialogues and assist communities and organizations in creating restorative justice initiatives.
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Brenda is a qualified mediator certified to accept certain types of court referrals in both Virginia and West Virginia and is licensed to practice law in Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
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We usually provide clients with an online portal to check on the status of their cases. However, we can also provide regular updates through your preferred communication method, such as email, in-person meetings, or phone calls.
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We do not require a retainer and generally bill for our services on an hourly basis. Some mediated cases are concluded in as little as three to six hours. Others may take much longer for the parties to reach a settlement. We offer a number of discounts for low income families, non-profits, and offer periodic special rates.
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Depending on the type of case, we bill by the hour, by a flat rate, or accept matters on a contingency fee.
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In most cases, the parties share mediation costs. Our office emails invoices that can be paid online or by check.
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We do not require a retainer for any legal or mediation services. For mediation services, we bill parties and their counsel before sessions. Costs include time spent drafting mediated agreements, responding to emails, or other activities between mediation sessions. We offer legal services at an hourly rate or, in some situations, by contingency or flat fee.
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Yes, we offer an hourly discount if both parties' combined annual income is less than $80,000.00. We offer a discounted rate for mediation for nonprofits and a monthly special reduction for mediation of certain disputes.
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If you need to cancel a session, please notify us at least two weeks before your meeting to avoid charges. After that time, penalties may apply, depending on the cancellation notice period and the reason for cancellation.
Brenda Waugh
About Brenda
I’m Brenda Waugh—a lawyer, mediator, and restorative justice facilitator in the Northern Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia and West Virginia. I have a passion for justice and am working to build better communities with my work at Waugh Law & Mediation. I bring experience, enthusiasm, and compassion to improve the client’s well-being in every case I work on, whether it involves negotiating a contract, mediating a conflict between co-workers, or helping a family develop a future in a collaborative divorce.
I bring over thirty years of experience to this work. While I have significant experience in the courtroom as a litigator, I have received additional education and training in mediation and negotiation to broaden the skills I can bring to help solve legal problems. I outline options and work with clients to chart their best course.
I have litigated, negotiated, or mediated thousands of cases during my lengthy career. As a young lawyer, I worked with Legal Services as an advocate for victims of family violence and consumers. Later, I litigated hundreds of cases, prosecuting offenders in cases involving child abuse and neglect in both Kanawha and Berkeley Counties and winning several cases before the state Supreme Court.
After starting my private practice, I determined that I needed to broaden my skills to provide clients with more options, so I earned a master’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peace in 2009. Since then, I have mediated well over a thousand legal disputes, including those involving families, workplace disputes, small business, estate and probate disputes, insurance, and civil cases. In 2011, I added collaborative practices to the options available to clients who were divorcing when I completed training and became a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
I have unique experiences as a lawyer, including serving as counsel for the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee and as a clerk with the West Virginia Supreme Court. I have published articles in law journals, including those published by Yale University and the Journal of Legal Education. I have conducted dozens of seminars throughout the United States and Canada, often on alternative ways to approach legal problems, restorative lawyering, and lawyer wellness. I am a graduate of the University of Virginia and West Virginia University School of Law. To learn more about my experience and education you may view her CV here.
I have been married for over forty years, and enjoy spending time with my three children, three grandchildren, and a hound dog named Roosevelt. I live in the Shenandoah Valley, where I enjoy hiking and being outdoors. I prefer to stay physically active and have completed three marathons, a Metric Century bicycle event, and six triathlons.
Questions for Brenda
Do you want to learn more about me and why I have taken on this work. Read on!
What made you want to become a lawyer? After earning my bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia, I initially pursued a career in film and television design with the hope of using art to pursue social justice. However, I later realized that obtaining a law degree might provide me with more extensive opportunities to effect positive change in the world.
What are you most proud of concerning your career? While I've enjoyed assisting clients throughout my career, I'm particularly proud of my efforts to enhance access to justice in Virginia and West Virginia. Early in my career as a lawyer at Legal Services, I established a pro se divorce clinic to aid clients seeking divorce but lacking means hire a lawyer. This initiative evolved into creating court-approved forms, now available on the Supreme Court's website, enabling thousands to file for divorce without legal representation.
Why did you become a mediator? Why did you become a mediator? After practicing law for two decades, I recognized that the law provided a less-than-optimal process for resolving many disputes. I wanted to find a way where the process would not be so gut-wrenching, where clients could make more of their own decisions and retain control over the outcome, and where relationships were valued and promoted. I pursued a master's degree in conflict resolution to understand the vast array of dispute resolution methods, including mediation, that may help our clients resolve their legal disputes and improve their lives.
What does alternative dispute resolution look like in 10 years? In the next decade, I anticipate a growing reliance on mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods before pursuing litigation. ADR methods will continue to expand, offering individuals and businesses diverse options for resolving legal conflicts, including mediation, collaborative practices, early neutral case evaluation, and arbitration.
How does understanding mediation and alternative dispute resolution help make lawyers more successful?
ADR equips lawyers with additional strategies to resolve disputes beyond traditional legal remedies. Lawyers with mediation and ADR training can often look beyond the laws and fighting for rights, to better understand clients' goals and needs, leading to more effective representation.
How does being a lawyer help you as a mediator?
While many mediators aren't lawyers, my legal background enables me to effectively mediate cases involving legal issues. While I can't provide legal advice in mediation, I bring a deep understanding of the law, statutes, decisions, and legal processes to the table. This knowledge complements my mediation skills and aids in finding resolutions.
What characteristics do you admire most in others?
I deeply respect individuals who exhibit a strong commitment to their families, communities, and personal passions (and dogs). Their dedication is often evident in their efforts to understand the intricacies and nuances that make our families and communities unique, challenging, and remarkable.
Mackenzie Collins
Mackenzie Collins is a 2002 graduate of D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Mackenzie uses the compassionate communication skills she acquired during her 16 year nursing career to help new clients feel comfortable accessing the legal assistance they require. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys reading, hiking and yoga. She lives in the Northern Shenandoah Valley with her husband and three children.
Our Values
Our office is connected to a group of core values which we bring to our work. Those values center on respect for our clients and a commitment to work with them as partners to make their lives better.
We approach every case, every client and every problem mindful of these values.
Collaboration and Empathy: Waugh Law & Mediation is dedicated to being an integral part of a collaborative team when addressing conflicts. Clients are acknowledged as experts in their own situations, possessing valuable insights into their problems, histories, and aspirations. The Waugh Law & Mediation team brings expertise in conflict resolution tools and methodologies, coupled with deep empathy and compassion for understanding the challenges each individual or community faces. Our approach to resolving disputes involves transformative and narrative mediation processes, consensus-building strategies, and cooperative problem-solving techniques.
Innovation and Continuous Learning: At Waugh Law & Mediation, a commitment to innovation is paramount. The team continuously seeks to expand their knowledge base by exploring how various fields, communities, and cultures address conflicts and wrongdoing. This knowledge is integrated into the services provided to clients, ensuring that innovative approaches are part of the legal services offered. Ongoing professional development is a cornerstone of our practice, enhancing the nature and quality of dispute resolution services offered to clients.
Respect and Dignity: Respect is a core value at Waugh Law & Mediation. Every client's needs are treated with the utmost respect. Their choices are honored, and the dignity, self-determination, and respect of all participants are upheld throughout the process. This commitment fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Recognition of the Value of Relationships: Waugh Law & Mediation acknowledges the significance of existing relationships in legal conflicts. The team works diligently to understand and appreciate these connections, helping clients address disputes while minimizing damage to these meaningful relationships.
Equity and Accessibility: Waugh Law & Mediation is committed to ensuring everyone has access to various conflict resolution methods. The firm actively creates opportunities to expand access, regardless of economic circumstances, geographical limitations, or educational opportunities. We cultivate an inclusive environment, welcoming individuals of all ages, genders, races, and backgrounds. The firm also works on extending these opportunities to multiple communities, with a focus on broader community betterment beyond individual disputes.
Sustainability and Long-Term Solutions: Sustainability is a fundamental principle at Waugh Law & Mediation. The firm has taken steps to ensure sustainability within its practice and actively promotes long-term solutions that contribute to the well-being of clients and their communities. We focus on achieving enduring, positive impacts that stand the test of time.