At Vermont Dispute Resolution Partners, we bring deep experience in mediation and conflict resolution, helping you, your family, and organizations navigate disputes and reach lasting agreements.
Meet
Paul Gallagher
Paul M. Gallagher is a certified mediator and senior executive with more than 25 years of experience navigating complex business negotiations, high-stakes stakeholder environments, and multi-party strategic relationships.
Throughout his career, Paul has led and closed numerous six-figure and enterprise-level agreements across technology, professional services, and nonprofit sectors. His work has required aligning competing interests, structuring durable agreements, and guiding parties toward practical, mutually beneficial outcomes. He brings firsthand experience in long-cycle negotiations involving executives, boards, investors, and cross-functional leadership teams.
In addition to his executive leadership roles, Paul has worked closely with nonprofit organizations and university leadership on donor development, governance collaboration, and strategic growth initiatives. He has served on multiple boards and understands the dynamics of organizational decision-making, fiduciary responsibility, and reputational risk.
As a certified mediator, Paul combines structured process discipline with a calm, solutions-oriented approach. His background in business operations, revenue strategy, and governance allows him to quickly understand the underlying commercial realities in dispute and help parties move from positional conflict toward constructive resolution.
Paul specializes in business-to-business disputes, partnership disagreements, leadership and governance conflicts, contract-related matters, and complex organizational disputes where preserving working relationships is essential.
Based in Vermont, Paul is committed to helping individuals and organizations resolve conflict efficiently, confidentially, and with integrity.
Meet
Sue Buckholz
Susan “Sue” Buckholz is a recently retired attorney at law who, during the 31 years of her active legal practice, endorsed and encouraged her clients to use mediation whenever possible to resolve their disputes. Whatever the issues, Sue consistently encouraged “self help” methodologies for her clients to resolve their cases whenever possible, helping individuals navigate complex and emotionally challenging transitions. She brings a calm, structured, and respectful approach to resolving disputes outside of court, with more than 225 cases mediated to date.
Sue’s background as an attorney provides her with deep insight into the legal and practical realities that often underlie personal and financial disputes. Today, she focuses exclusively on mediation — guiding parties through difficult conversations, clarifying issues, and helping them reach thoughtful, durable agreements that reflect their shared and individual priorities.
As a mediator, Sue is committed to creating a balanced and supportive environment where each participant feels heard and understood. She believes that mediation offers a constructive alternative to adversarial processes, allowing individuals to retain greater control over outcomes while preserving dignity and mutual respect.
Sue has been a member of the Vermont Bar since 1995 and has long been active in her community, serving in various civic and professional roles. Her extensive experience in negotiation, structured problem-solving, and high-conflict environments enables her to guide parties toward practical solutions that reduce stress, minimize cost, and support forward movement.
Sue is dedicated to helping people resolve disputes efficiently, confidentially, and with integrity — empowering them to move into their next chapter with clarity and confidence.
What Guides Our Work
Neutrality and Fair Process
We provide a balanced and impartial environment where each party has the opportunity to be heard.
Our role is not to decide the outcome, but to
guide a structured process that helps participants explore options and work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
A Thoughtful Approach to
Conflict Resolution
Our mediation approach is grounded in neutrality, structure, and mutual respect. We help parties navigate complex conversations, clarify issues, and identify practical solutions that allow them to move forward with confidence.
Flexible and Accessible Mediation
We offer both in-person and online mediation options, making it easier for individuals and organizations to engage in the process in a way that fits their schedules and circumstances.