Benjamin Papa

Lawyer Overview

Benjamin Papa's experience, education, and training in law, psychology, and religion allow him to see and hear his clients' stories from a multidimensional perspective - a perspective that allows him to understand his clients' needs and chart the proper legal course to smooth resolution of their legal or mediation needs.

A lifelong resident of Tennessee, Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN), a Juris Doctor from the highly ranked law school at Ohio State University, (Columbus, OH) where he graduated in the top third of his class and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School (Nashville, TN).

Following law school, Ben worked in a medical malpractice litigation law firm, representing clients in courtrooms in Davidson County and throughout Tennessee. He completed a training program in family and divorce mediation and is recognized by the Tennessee judicial system as a Rule 31 mediator for general/civil as well as family cases, including those involving domestic violence. Ben is also trained through the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center to conduct mediations within churches and other religious organizations. He is trained in parent coordination by the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts, and is trained in Collaborative divorce. Mr. Papa is currently serving as the President of the Middle Tennessee Collaborative Alliance, Middle Tennessee's collaborative divorce practice group.

Ben serves his clients in the areas of divorce/child custody, other family law issues, basic estate planning and probate, as well as mediation services of all kinds. He serves clients in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and surrounding areas. He is an active member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators, the Tennessee Bar Association (Family Law and APR Sections), the Williamson County Bar Association, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Middle Tennessee Collaborative Alliance.



PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

• Trained in Collaborative Divorce (2009)
• Trained as a Parent Coordinator through Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2007)
• Trained as Church Mediator through Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (2006)
• Rule 31-Listed as General Civil Mediator through Tennessee Supreme Court (2006)
• Rule 31-Listed Family Mediator through Tennessee Supreme Court (2003), including cases involving domestic violence (2006)

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Mediation

75% of Practice Devoted to Litigation