About Us
Michaele Gantz & Her Team
Finger Lakes Mediation & Divorce Coaching in Rochester, NY and Beyond
Conflict is an unavoidable facet of life, yet navigating certain disputes can be particularly arduous, leaving you feeling frustrated, isolated, and defeated. At Finger Lakes Mediation & Divorce Coaching, our mission is to transform these challenging emotions into sources of empowerment and optimism for the days ahead.
Founder and Mediator Michaele Gantz takes immense pride in her unwavering commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in New York State law, consistently advancing her conflict resolution expertise. Entrusting your mediation to Michaele means placing yourself in the capable hands of a Certified Divorce Coach and a Certified Recovery Coach.
Rather than expending significant time, resources, and emotional energy battling disputes in court, opt for our professional mediation services to achieve a fair resolution – without the strife or financial burden. With years of experience, our mediators have effectively assisted individuals, couples, families, and businesses throughout Rochester, NY, and the surrounding areas.
From divorce coaching to family and child custody mediation, Michaele and her team at Finger Lakes Mediation and Divorce Coaching are here to help.
“Mediation is guiding people through a process of conflict and conflict resolution. I am a neutral third party, so I do not side with one person or another. I keep the communication moving so that they can come to an agreement. People don’t always get everything they want, but with my help, we can reach a compromise that is fair to everyone.”
Michaele Gantz, Owner, Mediator
Finger Lakes Mediation & Divorce COaching
Meet the Team
Founder, FINGER LAKES Mediation & Divorce COaching
Meet Michaele Gantz, Founder, Mediator and Divorce Coach
Michaele is a highly respected mediation professional who serves the Wayne, Ontario, and Monroe County communities with expertise, dedication, and the utmost professionalism. Michaele has years of experience facilitating mediations that save her clients the extensive time, money, and distress involved in litigation.
Michaele understands that issues related to child custody, divorce, or elder care are going to reshape the lives of her clients. Her individualized approach allows each party to feel heard, welcomed, and validated as they define which issues and outcomes matter most to them. While Michaele is a neutral mediator, she strives to help every single client feel heard and at ease.
Although mediators cannot provide legal advice or representation, Michaele’s clients can depend on her to stay on top of the latest changes to New York State law – ensuring no stone goes unturned and no balls are dropped during the mediation process. Michaele continues her education mainly through the NYS Council on Divorce Mediation.
Beyond her well-established practice, Michaele has been a business owner since her twenties and is passionate about using her skills to help community members during difficult times. She has taught anger management classes, worked at in-patient psychiatric facilities, and done conflict resolution training classes for Rotary International.
Education:
- B.S. in psychology from SUNY (State University of New York) Brockport
Other Achievements:
- Certified Divorce Coach
- Certified Recovery Coach
- Rotary President
- New York City Council on Mediation member
- The Center for Dispute Settlement certification
Mediator, Finger Lakes Mediation & Divorce COaching
Meet Jon Getz, Mediator
Jon was born in Jacksonville, NC and grew up in the Buffalo and Rochester regions before graduating from the University of Rochester with a degree in history and political science. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Law in 1992.
His main areas of practice include mediation, civil rights, civil litigation, criminal defense, criminal rights, and civil and criminal appeals in the state and federal courts. In his free time, Jon enjoys spending time with his spouse and two daughters.
Jon has been a solo practitioner of law, as well as a partner at Vahey Getz LLP from 2018 to 2021; a partner at Muldoon Getz & Reston from 2009 to 2018; and a partner at Muldoon & Getz from 2002 to 2009.
Jon’s professional achievements include serving as President of the Monroe County Bar Association from 2018 to 2019, District representative for the New York State Bar Association, WDNY Magistrate Merit Selection Panel in 2019; WDNY Magistrate Review Panel in 2018; Committee member for the Court’s Alternative Dispute resolution panel for the State Court, Seventh Judicial District, Board of Directors of Volunteer Lawyer Services Program; New York State Bar Association Delegate for 7th Judicial District from 2017 to present; Recipient of Leader in Law in 2018; Recipient of President’s Award from the Monroe County Bar Association in 2012 and 2014; Recipient of Charles F. Crimi Award from the Monroe County Bar Association; Recipient of Criminal Justice Act Award from the United States District Court for the Western District of New York in 2012; Recipient of New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Gideon Award in 1999; Recipient of New York State Bar Association’s Most Outstanding Young Lawyer Award in 1995; Co-director of the Innocence and Justice Project at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law; Political Science and Constitutional Law Instructor at the College at Brockport.
Education:
- Earned undergraduate honors degree from the University of Rochester
- Earned Juris Doctor from SUNY (State University of New York) Buffalo School of Law
Other Achievements:
- Recognized as Super Lawyer in General Litigation and Insurance Litigation
- Recognized as Distinguished Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
- Past President of the Penfield Strikers Soccer Club
- Head Coach of the Penfield Strikers Soccer Club from 2008 to 2019
- Board member of University of Rochester History Advisory Counsel
- President of Wimbledon Homeowners Association
Mediator, Finger Lakes Mediation & Divorce COaching
Meet Cassi Miskell, Mediator
Cassi Miskell is a former paralegal who has worked in a variety of roles in the legal field for more than 15 years. Located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, she has served as a guide to numerous clients with diverse socio-economic backgrounds and was selected by her peers to mobilize a youth mediation program early in her career. Cassi’s innate compassion, ability to calm tensions and connect with children has been a hallmark of her personality. She has a natural ability to stay objective and work through difficult situations.
As a happily-remarried divorcée, who successfully utilized the mediation process, Cassi recognizes the importance of reaching a respectful resolution. She is committed to giving clients her full expertise, clarity and neutrality so they can proceed to the next stage in life, as she has been able to do with her husband and two children. Cassi holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Buffalo and is certified by the NY State Council on Divorce Mediation.
