Organizations
- American Bar Association
- Association of Professional Family mediators
- Connecticut Council of Non-Adversarial Divorce
- Connecticut Bar Foundation, Charter Member, James W. Cooper Fellow
- Connecticut Council on Non-Adversarial Divorce (CCND)
- Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation (MCFM)
- Academy of Professional Family Mediators
Training
- Mediation Works Inc (MWI), 2019-2020, Boston. Ma
- Martha's Vineyard Mediation Program, Vineyard Haven, MA, 2019
- Connecticut Judicial Institute, annual training 2000-2019
- Ongoing CLE training, 2019-present
In 2000, Judge Prestley was appointed to the Connecticut Superior Court where she served until 2019. During her judicial tenure, she was assigned to various courts across the state, with a primary focus on family law, and served as Presiding Judge in the Family Division. Judge Prestley consistently earned the highest ratings from the family law bar, recognized for her exceptional ability, integrity, and fairness.
Since leaving the bench in 2019, Judge Prestley has remained deeply engaged in family law through her private alternate dispute resolution practice, offering mediation and arbitration services.
From 1986 - 1997, Judge Prestley served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut, representing multiple state agencies, and arguing numerous cases at the trial, Appellate and Supreme Court Levels. During this period, she also served as an adjunct professor, teaching family law courses at both the College and Law School levels, and was a regular guest on Connecticut’s “Lawtalk” radio program.
In 1997, she was appointed as Connecticut’s Child Advocate where she conducted major investigations, produced influential reports on child welfare issues, and testified before the Connecticut legislature on key legislation aimed at improving the lives of children.
The parent of a blended family of nine, Judge Prestley is an attorney, educator, and family mediator. Over the past three decades, she has served as an Assistant Attorney General, the state Child Advocate a Superior Court Judge and a certified mediator. She brings to her mediation practice the depth of experience, insight and compassion developed through these distinguished roles.
Judge Prestley brings to her mediation and arbitration services a wealth of knowledge,
experience, and ability developed over three decades of exemplary public service.
More about Judge Prestley
Education
- University of Connecticut School of Law, Hartford, Connecticut J.D.
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, ED.M.
- Hood College, Frederick, MD, B.A.
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.
defendant's counsel
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.
plaintiff's counsel
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.
self-represented party
defendant's counsel
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.
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.
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.
Interested in learning more about mediation with former Judge Linda Prestley? Fill out the form on this page to receive information about her family and divorce mediation services. Linda helps couples and families resolve disputes respectfully and efficiently outside of court.
