Attune Mediation was formed by experienced attorneys and other conflict professionals seeking less costly, less stressful, more efficient and more effective ways to resolve conflict. We also look for ways to resolve conflict as much as possible at the root; when participants wish to do so, we seek to help address any other issues underlying the dispute at hand. This may allow for a more fundamental resolution between the participants, sometimes transforming the nature of the participants' relationship. Judicial and other adversarial processes cannot reach these issues since they decide only the narrow issue put before them, often picking a 'winner' and a 'loser'. Whatever the reach and nature of the conflict, Attune Mediation was created to empower participants to safely and peacefully determine their own ways forward.
Who We Are
Martin Applebaum
Martin Applebaum completed his undergraduate degree at SUNY at Stony Brook. After receiving a master's degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii, Martin spent the next five years in the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto, continuing his studies in Japanese philosophy and religion while teaching at Doshisha University, Shiga National University and as a consultant with the Kyoto City Board of Education.
Upon his return to the United States, Martin graduated from Georgetown Law Center, became licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia, and joined the law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, specializing in international trade law. Subsequently, he worked as the general manager of the East Asian operations of a U.S. educational software company and as a business development consultant assisting American companies seeking access to the Pacific Rim.
Throughout, Martin has engaged in the practice of Zen meditation, practicing for over forty years both in Japan and in the United States under qualified teachers.
Looking to get to the heart of the matter of conflict and to empower those in dispute to come to their own resolutions, Martin took up the practice of mediation and became a volunteer mediator with Community Mediation Services in Queens, NY. He has since mediated well over two hundred and fifty cases in areas involving family issues, elder care and surrogate matters, contract and business disputes,elder care, landlord/tenant matters, special education issues, school conflict as well as other matters. He has also offered conflict coaching in many of these areas.
Martin also offers workshops to mediators to teach meditative approaches to mediation, drawing on his extensive expertise in meditative practice. In addition, Martin frequently presents seminars on mediation and mediation techniques, most recently before such organizations as the Greater New York Dental Meeting, the New York State Academy of General Dentistry, the Second District Dental Society, the Greater Long Island Dental Meeting, and the New York County Dental Society/American College of Dentists.
Located in New York City, Martin is available for mediation by Zoom or by arrangement in locations across the United States.
You may reach him at: attunemediation@gmail.com
Dr. Shahram (Sean) Shekib
Dr. Sean Shekib is the immediate Past President of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry, and has also received his Juris Doctor degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, making him one of the rarest of species - a holder of dual degrees in Dentistry and Law.
After completing his undergraduate degree at Yeshiva University, Sean went on in 1996 to graduate from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Subsequently, he completed a General Practice Residency at Flushing Hospital and pursued coursework in the areas of lasers, implants, aesthetics, full mouth restorations and orthodontics.
Over the years, Sean has been awarded fellowships by the American College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American Academy of Dental Science, and the International College of Dentists. He is also a Clinical Evaluator at Clinical Research Associates (“CRA”), and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He is also a recipient of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, granted by the Office of the President of the United States, for his lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer services.
In life and work, Sean remains deeply committed to resolving human conflict in all its forms. Serving as a member of the Peer Review Committee in the Second District Dental Society, Sean helped to resolve disputes between health care providers and patients. Out of this experience, Sean sought to harness his technical expertise and legal training to a vision of empowering people to resolve their own disputes through mediation, receiving his Mediation Certificate through the Mitchell Hamline School of Law and becoming a Certified Mediator in New York State, mediating across a wide variety of disputes.
In addition, Sean frequently presents seminars on mediation and mediation techniques, most recently before such organizations as the Greater New York Dental Meeting, the New York State Academy of General Dentistry, the Second District Dental Society, the Greater Long Island Dental Meeting, and the New York County Dental Society/American College of Dentists. As well, Sean has written articles on mediation, one most recently appearing in the Journal of the NY State Academy of General Dentistry.
Located in New York City, Sean is available for mediation by Zoom or by arrangement in locations across the United States.
You may reach him at: attunemediation@gmail.com