Judge Prestley brings to her mediation and arbitration practice a wealth of knowledge, experience, and ability developed over three decades of public service.

From 1986 - 1997, Judge Prestley served as an Assistant Attorney General representing various state agencies, where she argued many cases at the Trial, Appellate and Supreme Court Levels. During that period, she also served as an adjunct professor in teaching family law courses at the College and Law School levels and was a regular guest on Connecticut’s “Lawtalk” radio show.

In 1997, she was appointed as Connecticut’s Child Advocate where, among other oversight mandates, she conducted investigations and produced signature reports on child welfare issues. She testified before the Connecticut legislature on several key bills aimed to benefit and enhance the lives of children.

In 2000, judge Prestley was appointed to the Connecticut bench. Through the ensuing decades, she was assigned to various courts with the lion’s share of her tenure centered on family law. She consistently received ratings from the family law bar as a jurist of the highest ability, integrity, and fairness.

Since leaving the bench in 2000, Judge Prestley has continued her family law involvement by providing private alternative dispute resolution services featuring mediation and arbitration.

Judge Prestley brings to her mediation and arbitration practice a wealth of knowledge, experience, and ability developed over three decades of public service.

From 1986 - 1997, Judge Prestley served as an Assistant Attorney General representing various state agencies, where she argued many cases at the Trial, Appellate and Supreme Court Levels. During that period, she also served as an adjunct professor in teaching family law courses at the College and Law School levels and was a regular guest on Connecticut’s “Lawtalk” radio show.

In 1997, she was appointed as Connecticut’s Child Advocate where, among other oversight mandates, she conducted investigations and produced signature reports on child welfare issues. She testified before the Connecticut legislature on several key bills aimed to benefit and enhance the lives of children.

Education

Hood College, Frederick, MD, B.A.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, ED.M.
University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford, Connecticut J.D.

Training

Connecticut Judicial Institute, annual training 2000-2019
Mediation Matters, Kensington, MD, 2018
Martha's Vineyard Mediation Program, Vineyard Haven, MA, 2019
Mediation Works Inc (MWI), 2019-2020

About Judge Prestley

In 2000, Judge Prestley was appointed to the Connecticut bench. Through the ensuing decades, she was assigned to various courts with the lion’s share of her tenure centered on family law. She consistently received ratings from the family law bar as a jurist of the highest ability, integrity, and fairness.

Since leaving the bench in 2000, Judge Prestley has continued her family law involvement by providing private alternative dispute resolution services featuring mediation and arbitration.

With the help of Judge Prestley, we were able to get to (the) case to resolve without the need for a trial. Judge Prestley has a balanced demeanor, is personable, and has creative solutions to difficult problems. Most importantly, the clients left the mediation with a fair result. Our firm will most certainly use Judge Prestley for other difficult cases in the future.

Judge Prestley’s wealth of knowledge and decades of experience is a game changer for parties seeking to cut through the morass of family court, keep costs down, and craft agreements and parenting plans that work for the unique needs of their families. The addition of Judge Prestley to the rank of private mediators is a huge win for parties and practitioners alike.

Judge Prestley is a pleasure to work with. She is responsive and transparent in her communication. We needed help figuring out how to equitably split our assets; she gave us various options and helped us settle on a plan that worked for both of us. I also appreciated her ability to remain neutral and help us move past some points of conflict.

defendant's counsel

plaintiff's counsel

self-represented party

Judge Prestley is a pleasure to work with. She is responsive and transparent in her communication. We needed help figuring out how to equitably split our assets; she gave us various options and helped us settle on a plan that worked for both of us. I also appreciated her ability to remain neutral and help us move past some points of conflict.

With the help of Judge Prestley, we were able to get (the) case to resolve without the need for a trial. Judge Prestley has a balanced demeanor, is personable, and has creative solutions to difficult problems. Most importantly, the clients left the mediation with a fair result. Our firm will most certainly use Judge Prestley for other difficult cases in the future.

Judge Prestley’s wealth of knowledge and decades of experience is a game changer for parties seeking to cut through the morass of family court, keep costs down, and craft agreements and parenting plans that work for the unique needs of their families. The addition of Judge Prestley to the rank of private mediators is a huge win for parties and practitioners alike.