A Mediator for Today’s Complex Disputes
The Path to Resolution through Creative Collaboration
Experience, Education, and Publications
Melora brings over 20 years of legal and mediation experience, having served as an attorney in both public and private sectors. She leads Middle Path Mediation and mediates cases across the state on a wide variety of subject matters and court jurisdictions.
When appropriate, she implements restorative practices into the conflict management process. Her broad practice includes workplace facilitated conversations, inclusivity-focused consulting, special education mediation, and restorative justice healing circles.
Mediator, Office of Dispute Resolution
Colorado Judicial Branch
Arbitrator
Better Business Bureau
Restorative Justice Facilitator and Educator
The Conflict Center
Owner
Middle Path Mediation, LLC · Self-employed
Chair, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee of the ADR Section
Colorado Bar Association
Owner and Instructor
YogaMelora, LLC
Political Consultant; Employee Relations and Human Resources Consulting
Democratic National Committee
Lead Mediator
Court Mediation Services
Criminal Defense Consulting, Research and Writing
Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel
Instructor
CorePower Yoga
Attorney
The Bentz Law Office, LLC · Self-employed
Employment & Labor Litigator
The U.S. Postal Service
Adjunct Professor
The Metropolitan State College of Denver
Assistant Federal Public Defender
Office of the Federal Public Defender
Assistant Public Defender
South Carolina Office of Indigent Defense
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Doctor of Law (J.D.), Law - 1995 - 1998
Oberlin College
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - 1990 - 1994
Legal Mediation Certification
The Colorado Bar Association
RYT-200 (Yoga)
CorePower Yoga
Certified EEO Investigator
EEOC
The De-biasing Effect of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Mediator Training
Clients & Collaborators
Fusing Accountability with Compassion
The Middle Path Philosophy
Melora recognizes that everyone stumbles along the way. Through restorative practices, mindful listening, and structured dialogue, Middle Path Mediation seeks to illuminate misunderstandings, ensuring each voice is heard, valued, and respected.
Melora takes creative collaboration seriously. The “middle path” is the place where differences become opportunities for a shared better outcome. Melora loves to team up with fellow mediators and facilitators, fully taking advantage of the power in diversity of thought. Melora cultivates community by serving on the Colorado Bar Association’s ADR Executive Committee and on the Board of the Mediation Association of Colorado.
What Middle Path Mediation Offers
Services & Specialization
Mediation & Conflict Management
Dispute resolution processes mindfully tailored to prepare and bring together individuals experiencing discord so they can create a path forward.
Human Resources Consulting
Guide individuals and organizations to examine underlying issues and motives for change; plan a path forward with action items and agreements.
Restorative Justice
Conversation circles bring together individuals who have been harmed and the individual(s) who caused harm. All are invited to learn, promote accountability, and pursue healing and repair in a supportive environment.
Testimonials - What they say?
We recently had the pleasure of working with Melora Bentz, proprietor of Middle Path Mediation, to address a challenging situation involving four employees from two departments struggling to collaborate effectively. As a nonprofit health care payer, it is crucial for our team to work harmoniously to meet our mission.
We recently had the pleasure of working with Melora Bentz, proprietor of Middle Path Mediation, to address a challenging situation involving four employees from two departments struggling to collaborate effectively. As a nonprofit health care payer, it is crucial for our team to work harmoniously to meet our mission.
John Priddy
Melora's ability to engage our employees was remarkable. Her dispassionate ethic, combined with her insightful and methodical approach, played a key role in resolving the conflicts and fostering a more collaborative environment. She brought a calm and professional demeanor to every session, creating a safe space for open and honest communication.
Melora's ability to engage our employees was remarkable. Her dispassionate ethic, combined with her insightful and methodical approach, played a key role in resolving the conflicts and fostering a more collaborative environment. She brought a calm and professional demeanor to every session, creating a safe space for open and honest communication.
John Priddy
Thanks to Melora’s expertise and dedication, our team is now functioning more cohesively, and we have seen a significant improvement in our collaborative efforts. We highly recommend Middle Path Mediation to any organization facing internal conflicts. Melora Bentz’s mediation skills are truly exceptional and were instrumental in helping us achieve success.
Thanks to Melora’s expertise and dedication, our team is now functioning more cohesively, and we have seen a significant improvement in our collaborative efforts. We highly recommend Middle Path Mediation to any organization facing internal conflicts. Melora Bentz’s mediation skills are truly exceptional and were instrumental in helping us achieve success.
John Priddy
Fusing Accountability with Compassion
A Mindful Approach to Conflict Resolution
Since 2019, Middle Path Mediation has embodied the idea that peaceful resolution and courageous accountability can coexist. Guided by Melora’s extensive background in criminal defense, civil rights, and restorative justice facilitation, the firm brings both experience and empathy to every conversation.
Melora believes that within every moment of conflict lies a chance for deeper connection. Her role is to guide individuals and organizations to the “middle path,” where bridges are built, misunderstandings are addressed, and transformation becomes possible.
Discover the Middle Path
Conflict is inevitable. Resolution is a choice. Middle Path Mediation invites individuals, organizations, and communities to take the step toward healthier, more productive dialogue. Whether for personal matters, professional disputes, or broader community conflicts, the first move is to reach out.
