Experience · Equity · Excellence
Arizona Women Neutrals is a curated group of 14 experienced women serving as mediators, arbitrators, special masters, and receivers across Arizona. If you are an attorney, in-house counsel, or claims professional looking for a qualified woman neutral, this directory is where you start. Filter by role and practice area, review credentials, and contact any member directly through her profile.
The group was assembled in response to ABA Resolution 105, adopted by the American Bar Association House of Delegates in 2018, which urges ADR providers and users to expand their rosters with diverse neutrals and to actively select diverse neutrals when resolving disputes. Every member was selected for demonstrated ADR credentials. Collective experience spans commercial litigation, personal injury, wrongful death, employment, intellectual property, real estate, construction, probate, family law, and healthcare disputes.
The same principle animates the Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI), a national effort modeled on the NFL's Rooney Rule that asks counsel and parties to include at least 30% diverse candidates on every slate of proposed neutrals, on the well-documented premise that diverse slates produce diverse selections. The filters below make assembling an RCI-consistent slate straightforward: narrow by role and practice area, and every qualified member appears in a single view.
Collective credentials across the group: Fellows of the College of Commercial Arbitrators. Members of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Arbitrators and mediators on multiple AAA panels, including the Commercial, Construction, Large, Complex Case, and Merger and Acquisition panels. Board-Certified Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Law. Members of the American Board of Trial Advocates. A retired Maricopa County Superior Court judge. AV Preeminent rated attorneys. Best Lawyers in America honorees. Over 4,000 mediations and arbitrations handled by a single member alone.
See the credential guide below each member's profile for what these designations require and why they matter.
NADN, AAA panels, and azmediators.org answer one question: is this person qualified? Arizona Women Neutrals answers a different one: among all the qualified women neutrals in Arizona, who is the right fit for this specific dispute? The credential guide and member profiles below are designed to help you make that match.
This directory does not replace those rosters. Several AWN members hold NADN membership and AAA panel appointments. It starts where they leave off, by organizing qualified women neutrals in one place with enough context to match a practitioner to a matter.
The women in this directory fall into two broad groups, and several bring elements of both.
Career neutrals devote all or most of their professional time to dispute resolution: full-time mediators, full-time arbitrators on AAA panels, and retired judges. They bring high-volume process expertise and deep mastery of how to move matters toward resolution.
Active trial lawyers who serve as neutrals continue to litigate while accepting select mediation and arbitration engagements. They bring a current, first-hand understanding of how a case would be tried, valued, and risked if it did not settle, which is why many litigators specifically seek them out, particularly in personal injury and wrongful death matters.
The right choice depends on the nature of your dispute, the stage of the matter, and whether you place more weight on full-time process expertise or current courtroom perspective.
Each profile links directly to the member's firm or personal site. Contact any member through the link in her profile.
Arbitrator · Beyers Farrell · Phoenix & New York
A nationally recognized commercial arbitrator with over 35 years of experience. Maureen serves exclusively as a commercial arbitrator and is a member of numerous AAA panels, including the Large and Complex Case Panel, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR). She is a founding member of NADN, a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and a Chartered Arbitrator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Three-time Lawyer of the Year for Arbitration (2017, 2023, 2025), former Co-Chair of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section's Women in Dispute Resolution Committee and former Chair of the Arizona State Bar ADR Section.
Arbitrator · Busching Law PLC · Phoenix
A full-time arbitrator for the past decade after having been a transactional real estate, business, and construction attorney for many years. Marcia is a member of the AAA's Commercial, Construction, and Large, Complex Case Panels. Her combined experience as an attorney, business owner, and arbitrator gives her particular depth in commercial disputes involving real estate development, construction, and corporate matters. She is a past Chair of the Business Section of the State Bar. She has been named to Best Lawyers in the Arbitration and Real Estate categories for many years.
Arbitrator & Mediator · Jaburg Wilk · Phoenix
A shareholder at Jaburg Wilk who serves on the AAA National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, with a focus on intellectual property and technology disputes. Maria is past Chair of both the Intellectual Property Section and the E-Commerce & Technology Section of the Arizona State Bar. Named Best Lawyers in America for Copyright Law, Trademark Law, and Technology Law every year since 2014.
Mediator & Arbitrator · Michele M. Feeney LLC · Phoenix
A full-time neutral with over 25 years devoted to mediation and arbitration, following 17 years as a litigator. Michele is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for ADR since 2004. She also serves as Director of Trial Advocacy and teaches writing and negotiation at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Arbitrator & Mediator · Gerstman Law · Scottsdale
With 40 years of experience in business transactions, real estate, construction, and commercial litigation, Renee serves on multiple AAA panels including the Commercial, Construction, Large, Complex Case, Merger and Acquisition, and Master Mediator panels. A Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, AV rated, and listed as a Southwest Super Lawyer in ADR since 2017. She currently serves on the State Bar of Arizona's Ethics Advisory Group and chairs the Fee Arbitration Program. She also handles private non-administered arbitrations. Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Mediator · Tiffany & Bosco · Phoenix
A shareholder at Tiffany & Bosco concentrating in probate and trust litigation, estate administration, elder law, and mediation. Alisa has handled hundreds of probate and trust disputes over a career spanning more than 25 years. She serves as a Judge Pro Tempore for Maricopa County Superior Court and routinely conducts settlement conferences. Named one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business. Past Chair of two State Bar sections.
Mediator · HicksMediation · Scottsdale
Retired Maricopa County Superior Court Judge with more than 23 years on the bench, presiding over civil, criminal, juvenile, probate, and family court calendars. Judge Hicks now provides mediation services in civil, family, and probate matters and serves as a parenting coordinator. Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Arizona Chapter.
Mediator & Arbitrator · Insight Employment Mediation · Scottsdale
A full-time neutral focused on employment and commercial disputes, Amy serves on the AAA National Roster of Mediators and Arbitrators and has handled over 4,000 matters. Chosen by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America in ADR for over 20 consecutive years, named Lawyer of the Year for Mediation (2024, 2021), and repeatedly recognized as a Southwest Super Lawyer. In 2007 she became the first mediator in Arizona appointed as a Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators. Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Mediator & Workplace Investigator · Law Office of Alexis Pheiffer · Phoenix
More than 20 years of employment law experience, including senior in-house counsel roles at PetSmart and Sprouts Farmers Market. Alexis now serves as a mediator for employment and commercial disputes and conducts neutral workplace investigations. She is a certified mediator through the Maricopa County Superior Court mediation program (MC3), an AAA Affiliate Mediator, and served as a Maricopa County Judge Pro Tempore in the Civil Division for six years. Faculty member of the State Bar of Arizona Course on Professionalism.
Mediator & Arbitrator · Zwillinger Wulkan · Phoenix
Board-Certified Specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Law, a designation held by fewer than 2% of Arizona personal injury attorneys. Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Former President of the State Bar of Arizona (2021–2022). Appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Committee (2026). 35+ first-chair jury trials over 20 years, including 18 years on the defense side. She now represents individuals and families and understands how defendants and insurers evaluate these cases. Jennifer accepts a small number of mediation and arbitration engagements in personal injury and wrongful death matters. She remains in active trial practice.
Arbitrator · Kathi Sandweiss PLLC · Phoenix
A combined arbitration and appellate practitioner with nearly four decades of civil litigation experience. Kathi has been an active commercial arbitrator on the AAA roster since 2016, resolving complex disputes involving pharmaceutical agreements, energy contracts, antitrust, cannabis industry transactions, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and agriculture law, and more. She has filed over 150 appellate briefs with 23 published opinions. AV Preeminent rated. Named in Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Practice every year since 2016. Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
Mediator & Arbitrator · Tricia Schafer Dispute Resolution · Scottsdale
30+ years of experience as a litigator and neutral in commercial matters, including technology and AI, renewable energy, real estate, employment, contracts, intellectual property, healthcare, and securities disputes. Tricia serves on the AAA National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, the FINRA Roster of Arbitrators, and is a Judge Pro Tempore with Maricopa County Superior Court. Georgetown Law graduate with deep experience in both arbitration process management and complex mediation. Trained in facilitative, evaluative, and transformative mediation techniques, as well as Early Dispute Resolution (“EDR”).
Mediator · Sorensen Mediation · Phoenix
A Board-Certified Specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Law with nearly four decades of practice in aggravated liability and damages matters, including Federal Motor Carrier cases, vehicular products liability, and construction site injury and death matters. Wendi is a member of ABOTA and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Named one of the Top 25 Women Attorneys in Arizona nine times. Her mediation practice draws on extensive courtroom experience across personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
Receiver & Special Master · R.O.I. Properties · Phoenix
An attorney and licensed real estate broker who serves as a court-appointed Receiver, Bankruptcy Trustee, Special Real Estate Commissioner, Special Master, and Expert Witness in real estate matters throughout Arizona. Beth Jo founded R.O.I. Properties in 2003 after serving as Director of Commercial Properties at Del Webb Corporation. She is regularly appointed by courts in partnership disputes, contested estates, and business and personal divorce matters involving real estate assets.
The designations held by Arizona Women Neutrals members are not self-conferred titles. Each requires independent evaluation by peer organizations, national boards, or the State Bar, and reflects defined standards of experience, integrity, and professional achievement. The summaries below explain what each credential requires and which members hold it.
The College of Commercial Arbitrators is an invitation-only national fellowship founded in 2001. Fellowship requires nomination by a current Fellow and seconding by at least two additional Fellows, followed by review by the Membership Committee. Nominees must demonstrate substantial experience as a commercial arbitrator, the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and competence recognized by academics, other neutrals, and counsel. CCA Fellows are widely regarded as among the most accomplished commercial arbitrators in the United States.
AWN members: Maureen Beyers, Renee Gerstman
The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals is an invitation-only professional association of the most established mediators and arbitrators in each state. Membership requires nomination by two existing members, submission of references from eight attorneys involved in recent cases (including opposing counsel from at least four matters), and independent verification through telephone interviews conducted by NADN staff. The Academy also considers biennial survey data from law firms affiliated with both the American Association for Justice (AAJ, plaintiff bar) and the Defense Research Institute (DRI, defense bar) to identify widely accepted ADR professionals in every state.
AWN members: Maureen Beyers, Michele Feeney, Renee Gerstman, Hon. Bethany Hicks, Amy Lieberman, Kathi Sandweiss, Wendi Sorensen
The American Arbitration Association maintains specialized panels of arbitrators and mediators. Appointment to any panel reflects the AAA's assessment of the neutral's experience, subject-matter knowledge, and professional standing.
AWN members on multiple AAA panels: Maureen Beyers, Marcia Busching, Maria Crimi Speth, Renee Gerstman, Kathi Sandweiss, Tricia Schafer
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators is an international professional body for arbitrators, mediators, and adjudicators, with members in over 150 countries. The designation of Chartered Arbitrator is the Institute's highest grade of membership, requiring demonstration of substantial arbitration experience, completion of advanced assessments, and adherence to the Institute's code of professional conduct. It is recognized internationally as a mark of excellence in arbitration practice.
AWN member: Maureen Beyers
ABOTA is a national, invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to preserving the civil jury trial right and promoting professionalism in trial practice. Attorneys cannot apply for membership. They must be nominated by current ABOTA members and approved through peer review and a national board vote. Membership requires demonstrated substantial civil jury trial experience. ABOTA draws equally from plaintiff and defense lawyers, making it a cross-bar assessment of trial skill and professional reputation.
AWN members: Jennifer Rebholz, Wendi Sorensen
Board certification as a legal specialist in Arizona is administered by the State Bar of Arizona's Board of Legal Specialization. It requires defined trial and contested matter experience in the specialty area, independent peer review from judges and opposing counsel, successful completion of a written examination, ongoing continuing legal education, and periodic recertification. Certification in personal injury and wrongful death law is held by fewer than 2% of Arizona personal injury attorneys. As of the most recent certification cycle, 93 attorneys in Arizona hold this designation; 9 are women.
AWN members: Jennifer Rebholz, Wendi Sorensen
Several members also hold the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent peer-review rating, the directory's highest distinction for legal ability and ethical standards, and have been named to Best Lawyers in America in their respective practice areas. These recognitions, while widely respected, are peer-survey based and distinct from the independently verified credentials above.