Lakeside Mediation Co-Founder Ben Cunningham Retires

Ben Cunningham, a co-founder of Lakeside Mediation Center and a preeminent mediator for over three decades, has announced his retirement from active mediation status. Ben will remain an Emeritus member of the organization he helped found.

     Of course we could mention that Ben is a Distinguished Credentialed Mediator with the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, served as a member of the board of both the Austin Dispute Resolution Center and the Texas Association of Mediators, and as an adjunct professor at Texas State University. Additionally, Ben helped train hundreds of mediators during his storied mediation career. Ben’s bio on this website will provide even greater depth to Ben’s many accomplishments as both a lawyer and as a mediator.

      Ben’s many contributions to Lakeside Mediation Center include finding Lakeside’s former iconic location across the deck from Mozart’s coffee shop and by beautiful Ladybird Lake. Ben had the vision of a calm and tranquil place where people could resolve even the most complex and difficult disputes. During the 22 year time Lakeside resided in that location, Lakeside hosted well over 15,000 mediations (and served lord knows how much food from Hula Hut), a lawyer/artist auction with proceeds going to Austin Legal Services, and two receptions for the International Academy of Mediators. Ben’s initial vision became a mediation location known and loved city wide, state wide, nation wide, and internationally.

     Ben’s most significant contribution to Lakeside, beyond being a stellar mediator, was being the remarkable, thoughtful, and compassionate human being we know and love. Ben, a Vietnam veteran and Harris County Sheriff’s Officer before he went to law school, had a fervent belief that there were kinder , better, and more humane ways for people to resolve their differences. In this regard, Ben through his wisdom, caring, and creativity became a warrior for peace. Ben was passionate about mediation and the people he served. Additionally, Ben was a fantastic writer and avid reader. We hope during his well deserved retirement that Ben will have the time to do some writing and an opportunity to travel. Devoted to his family, we hope Ben gets to spend even more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

     And as for us, Ben’s brothers and sisters at Lakeside Mediation, we find it unimaginable that such a steady hand and remarkable mediator will no longer be mediating cases.  Ben’s influence and impact on Lakeside and the mediation community will remain a guiding spirit forever.