ABOUT US
MEET VERA HAILEY
Judiciary Certified Mediator, Conflict Coach, Trainer, Group Facilitator, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Co-Parenting Educator
Hello there — and welcome.
After more than 20 years serving as a magistrate, I gained a unique front-row perspective on conflict, communication, and human nature. That experience taught me that many family, interpersonal, and civil disputes are best resolved through skillful mediation, thoughtful guidance, and practical problem-solving rather than prolonged courtroom battles.
Today, clients benefit from both judicial experience and a calm, approachable style focused on helping people create workable solutions and move forward with clarity and dignity. I am certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia to mediate cases in all courts of the Commonwealth, including Circuit Court, with particular focus on marital separation and matters involving custody, visitation, co-parenting, and child support.
I also facilitate Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Households, an interactive Zoom seminar approved by the Supreme Court of Virginia and offered regularly online.
Outside of work, I’m an avid traveler, a lover of all things British, a volunteer docent, local history enthusiast, and someone who enjoys renovating historic properties.
I’m glad you’re here, and I hope this site provides helpful information, resources, and a path forward.
Training & Experience
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Supreme Court of Virginia Certified Mediator qualified to mediate cases in General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, Circuit Family Court, and Circuit Civil Court throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia
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Magistrate, Supreme Court of Virginia (1996–2018), with more than two decades of experience addressing high-conflict situations, crisis intervention, family disputes, and complex legal matters
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Facilitator for the Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Restorative Justice Community Conferencing Pilot Program
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Advanced conflict resolution and peacebuilding studies through the Eastern Mennonite University Center for Justice & Peacebuilding Summer Peacebuilding Institute
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Selected by the American Bar Association as a Competition Judge for the National Invitational Representation in Mediation competitions
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Certified Court Manager and Certified Court Executive through the National Center for State Courts
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Specialized judicial training through the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence in the dynamics and handling of domestic violence cases
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Certified Autism Spectrum Disorders Trainer through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
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Graduate of Blue Ridge Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training focused on mental health crisis response and de-escalation techniques
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Parent Educational Advocacy Collaborative Leader Training through the Virginia Department of Education
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Judicial Representative for the Virginia Public Safety Work Group for Autism
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Therapeutic Options (TOVA) Instructor trained in behavioral intervention and crisis management strategies
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Therapeutic Foster Parent and Foster Care Mentor for Shenandoah Valley Social Services
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Real Estate Investor and Property Manager for more than 25 years, including recognition as an Airbnb Superhost, providing additional practical experience in negotiation, communication, and problem-solving across diverse situations
MC3 Certification
MC3 certification represents a rigorous and highly respected credentialing process that goes beyond basic mediation training requirements. The organization evaluates mediators on advanced education, ethical standards, practical experience, and understanding of court systems and dispute resolution policy.
This distinction reflects a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, integrity, continuing education, and excellence in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Professional & Community Affiliations
Vera has been actively involved in numerous professional, civic, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to advocacy, conflict resolution, accessibility, education, community service, and historic preservation throughout the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.
Past and present affiliations include:
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Board Member, Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation
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Board Member, Greater Augusta Coalition Against Adult Abuse
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Member, Mediators Beyond Borders International
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Member, Virginia Mediation Network
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Advisory Council Member, Central Virginia Community Justice Advisory Council
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Volunteer Advocate, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
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Member, Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce
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Board Member, The Arc of Augusta
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Board Member, Ride With Pride
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Board Member, Augusta County Historical Society
MEET DAVID I. McCASKEY
Judiciary Certified Mediator
David McCaskey brings more than 40 years of broad legal experience to the practice of mediation and conflict resolution. Over the course of a long and respected general practice of law, he has worked with individuals, families, businesses, and community organizations across a wide range of legal matters requiring practical judgment, careful analysis, and effective problem-solving.
His background as a farm kid, military officer, attorney, and community leader shaped a thoughtful and grounded approach to conflict resolution. David is particularly drawn to mediation because it focuses not on “winners” and “losers,” but on communication, understanding, and helping people reach practical solutions they create themselves.
Outside of his professional work, David paints, welds sculpture, repairs old fiddles, researches local history, keeps bees, restores historic buildings, and rides a Ural motorbike with his dog in the sidecar. His preservation projects include the restoration of the Fannie Thompson House in Greenville, Virginia, home of a formerly enslaved woman listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
David brings to mediation a unique combination of legal experience, creativity, patience, and real-world perspective.
Training & Experience
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Supreme Court of Virginia Certified Mediator qualified to mediate cases in General District, Juvenile & Domestic Relations, Circuit Family, and Circuit Civil Courts throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia
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Facilitator for the Staunton/Augusta/Waynesboro Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Restorative Justice Community Conferencing Pilot Program
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Formal mediation training through the Fairfield Center
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More than 40 years in private law practice (1979–2020), representing individuals and families across a broad range of legal matters
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Extensive experience in criminal defense, wills and estates, and Social Security Disability representation
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Juris Doctor, William & Mary Law School
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B.A. in Independent Studies/Corrections, University of Virginia
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Admitted to the Virginia State Bar and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
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Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Augusta County, Virginia (4 years)
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Guardian ad Litem for incapacitated children and adults
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Captain, Field Artillery, United States Army Reserve (inactive service, 1977–1979)
AFFILIATIONS
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Virginia Mediation Network
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Virginia State Bar
