Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton is the principal at Hamilton Law and Mediation, PLLC, (HLM) the first conflict consultation practice in the US dedicated to helping people resolve conflicts that arise in business and life over animals.
HLM uses empathy, compassion and methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to assist people in understanding the why of a conflict that arises arise when dealing with animals. These conflicts are relational not transactional and can be nipped in the bud before they nip the veterinarian in the butt if skills to address the conflict are learned and applied. Attendees of Debra’s programs and her clients recognize the benefit of having Debra teach them the skills necessary to allowing them to sit down, be curious and work with their perceived adversary to have a neutral discussion before litigation is initiated.
Debra works with veterinarians, their staff, colleagues and clients. This give Debra a unique perspective that empowers everyone she works with to listen for understanding, speak with agency and pursue their passion of helping people and their pets while reducing their exposure to emotionally charged disagreements and the ensuing costly litigation.
Debra’s programs help people communicate, as a speaker and receiver of information. She is the go to person for information regarding the use of peaceful communication in conflicts over animals for the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Sun Times, Bloomberg and the US News and World Report.
Debra is a sought after speaker at national and international veterinary and veterinary management conferences and online webinars for her programs Stop License Review, Nipped in the Bud-Not in the Butt and Enhancing Communication Skills During Covid. She skillfully address the needs of the veterinarian when difficult issues arise in their practice and how to help staff and pet owners address the conflict proactively. [Stop License Review] She also helps pet owners and pet service providers aid each other in the creation and implementation a SIMPLE short and long term pet care plan. The MAAP Plan enables beloved companion animals get the care their owners want them to have any time their owner is personally not able to care for them. [7 D’s-Death, Disaster, Disease, Delay, Disability, Dementia & Divorce]
Debra is the past president of the AVMLA, Is a consistent VMX Moderator, a member of Vet Partner and sits on the Ethics Committee, belongs to the Society of Veterinary Medical Ethics and is a legal consultant to NOVV and AVDT.
Debra graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo Law School in 1983, and was admitted to practice in New York in 1984. She litigated these kinds of cases until 2010, when she hung up her litigation pumps and began a better way to resolve these emotional conflicts.
You can learn more about Debra and the work she does. http://hamiltonlawandmediation.com