Laura J. Bottaro became involved in mediation toward the end of her 20-year litigation career. Since then, she has helped resolve more than 80 cases, many involving high-conflict parties, an accomplishment she considers one of the most rewarding aspects of her work as a neutral. In recognition of her contributions to alternative dispute resolution, she received the 2026 Excellence in Alternative Dispute Resolution Award from Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly and the 2026 Center for Mediation RI Peacemaker Award. Bottaro discusses her approach to mediation.
What motivated you to pursue mediation, and were there personal influences or professional experiences that shaped your path to joining the AAA?
As a litigator, I experienced limited outcomes and high costs in court for my clients. I sought to reduce delay and cost, help preserve relationships, and find creative solutions to resolve disputes.
What do you value most about serving as a mediator with the AAA, and what aspects of the work do you find most meaningful for the parties you serve?
Parties want to feel trust in the mediator and the process and to be able to tell their story. I work hard to create this environment for them and counsel. With that foundation, moving analytically to a solution becomes achievable.
How has your previous experience as an attorney, arbitrator, judge, or in another professional role shaped your approach to mediation?
As a prior litigator, I understand that resolving a case doesn't happen in half an hour. Clients need to work through emotions, do risk analyses, understand positions, and value their options. This takes time and endurance!
How do you approach the mediation process, and what strategies do you use to help parties move from conflict toward resolution?
I work to connect with each person in the room and gain the trust of both sides. If a party is stuck, I will move backward to close that issue. However, I am not shy about pushing a party that is obstructing the process—maybe they need information, affirmation, or time. Mediation is very psychological.
Without breaching confidentiality, can you share a moment or case in your mediation work that was especially rewarding or that highlighted the strengths of the process
I was in a room with parties that reached a deadlock after much time and hashing out positions. Sometimes neither side wants to make the first move, and in this case, they both threatened to leave. Silence is powerful. Rather than talking, I allowed the silence to create the discomfort that one side needed to break the logjam. The tension very quickly resolved, and both sides reached a resolution within 15 minutes.
Have you noticed any trends or shifts in the use of mediation, the types of disputes, or in parties’ expectations in recent years?
Sure. Parties are much more involved in the process, which is a good thing. While I look to counsel to partner with me through the mediation, parties are hands-on and want to feel some level of control over the process. I encourage this.
Which skills or qualities do you believe are most essential for a successful mediator, and how have you cultivated them?
A mediator needs thick skin. Yes, some level of decorum is necessary, but in caucus, parties should be able to vent and say almost anything. A good mediator also needs to be able to see through high-conflict tactics and stay calm while always challenging parties to keep moving forward. I have cultivated these skills through many hours of volunteering as a mediator in the state courts.
Outside of your professional work, what activities, causes, or passions are important to you?
I enjoy challenging myself outdoors with mountain biking, hiking, and endurance travel. I have a passion for environmental protection and have practiced water law and sat on two nonprofit boards protecting Rhode Island's natural resources.