About

Meet Your Family Mediation Professionals

Mediation is a process in which a neutral and impartial third person -- a mediator -- helps you and your spouse or your children's other parent negotiate and make decisions together about important issues that need to be resolved. We can also help if you do not have children but are seeking a fair and amicable divorce. Mediators help people communicate and resolve misunderstandings.  Agreements that you make in mediation can help you get through this transition as whole as possible.


"Conflict essentially stops kids in their tracks—they are less free to go about the business of being a kid, meeting the developmental tasks that are essential to forming a healthy self."


Mary Ellen Hannibal, Good Parenting Through Your Divorce. New York: Marlow and Company (2002), p. 58.



About Katie Bennett

Katie Bennett is a trained mediator, family lawyer, educator, social worker, & child advocate with many years experience settling & litigating disputes in the areas of divorce, paternity, guardianship, adoption, & child welfare.


First trained at the Mediation Center of the Pacific in 2007 and later at the Pepperdine Strauss Institute for Conflict Management, Katie has a proven track record of settling difficult disputes.  In addition to her private mediation and settlement practice, Katie regularly mediates for the State of Hawai'i Family Court of the First Circuit's O'ahu Child Welfare Mediation Program at the Ronald T.Y. Moon Judiciary Complex in Kapolei.


​Licensed to practice law in Hawai'i since 2005, Katie is a member of the Family Law, Child Law, & Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections of the Hawai'i State Bar Association, the Hawai'i Association for Conflict Resolution, the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts & serves on multiple non-profit boards, including Hale Kipa & Sutter Health Kāhi Mōhala. Katie also serves on the Family Court's Child Support Guidelines Task Force and the Child Custody Evaluation Standards Committee.

  • Trained mediator, family lawyer, educator, social worker, child advocate

  • Licensed to practice law since 2005

  • Child-focused settlement agreements

  • Mother of three children

  • Understands the complexities of co-parenting

  • Received Hawai'i Access to Justice Award 2014

  • Received Social Justice and Advocacy Award 2015

  • Born & raised in Nu'uanu Valley


Born & raised in Nu'uanu Valley, Katie's practice focuses on supporting families in transition to reach child-focused settlement agreements. ​As a mother of three, Katie understands the toxic effects sustained parental conflict and litigation can have on children. With a background in law, family systems theory, child welfare, mental health, & child development, Katie understands the complexities & struggles of co-parenting from separate households.


​Katie was honored to receive the Hawai'i Access to Justice Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service in 2014 & the National Association of Social Workers - Hawai'i Chapter Social Justice & Advocacy Award in 2015.  In 2024, Katie was selected as an Omidyar Fellow.


About Mari Kishimoto Doi

About Mari Kishimoto Doi

Mari Kishimoto Doi is a trained mediator, and family law attorney. Prior to joining Family Mediation Hawaii, Mari practiced exclusively in family law litigation for 13 years where she handled all areas of family law including divorce, custody, child support, guardianship and adoptions appearing regularly in Family Courts throughout the State and in the Child Support Enforcement Agency. During her practice, Mari recognized the value of mediation and assisting families toward creating a sustainable resolution to fit their family and prevent further litigation. 


Mari is originally from Hilo on the Big Island. She earned a B.A. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in political science and later earned her J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Following law school, she served as a law clerk to The Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan (Ret.). 


Mari’s mediation training includes Pepperdine Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and Mediation Center of the Pacific Basic and Advanced training, and Mediation and Conflict Management Master Class. Mari is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the Permanent Committee on Family Court Rules, and the Family Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Hawai'i State Bar Association. She serves as secretary of the Child Law Section and as a board member of the William S. Richardson School of Law Alumni Association. 


Mari has served as Voluntary Settlement Master for the Family Court of the First Circuit. She also volunteers with the Kapolei Access to Justice Room, Hawai'i State Bar Association, and Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai'i. Mari has been recognized for her pro bono service by the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission since 2014. Mari was a presenter at the 2022 Hawaii State Bar Convention, the 2022 and 2023 Hawaii All Military Legal Assistance Conference, and the 2022 Hawaii Behavioral Health and Wellness Conference. Mari participates in family law mediation and negotiation exercises at the William S. Richardson School of Law and presents on panel discussions at the law school. Mari was named to the Super Lawyer's 2016-2019 Hawai'i Rising Stars List.


Mari spends her free time running, chasing after her daughter (and husband), and trying to keep her house plants alive. 


About Leslie Ching Allen

Leslie Ching Allen specializes in helping families transition through life’s challenges. As a mediator and former family law attorney, Leslie mediates issues involving divorce, property division, time sharing and support. As a mother whose children were only 5½ and 11 when she separated and divorced, Leslie is well aware of the challenges faced by families facing divorce and paternity disputes. She believes the best outcomes for all family members are achieved through mutual respect, and cooperation.


Leslie was born and raised in Honolulu. She earned her B.A. (Economics with Honors) and J.D. from University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She is a member of the Hawaii State Bar (admitted 1982) and the Washington State Bar Association (admitted 1984). After law school, she clerked for the late Justice Keith M. Callow at the Washington State Court of Appeals (Division I in Seattle), followed by 10 years of complex commercial litigation. She was a Disciplinary Counsel for the Washington State Bar Association for nearly 18 years. After her youngest child graduated from high school in 2012, Leslie returned to Honolulu to be closer to her aging mother. She is a resident of Kailua, Hawaii.


Leslie practiced as a family law litigator in Honolulu for 8 years, where she represented clients in civilian and military divorces (property and pension divisions, alimony, child support and time-sharing), paternity (child custody and child support), and guardianship. She retired from actively practicing law in 2021, joining Family Mediation Hawaii in 2022.

Mari Kishimoto Doi is a trained mediator, and family law attorney. Prior to joining Family Mediation Hawaii, Mari practiced exclusively in family law litigation for 13 years where she handled all areas of family law including divorce, custody, child support, guardianship and adoptions appearing regularly in Family Courts throughout the State and in the Child Support Enforcement Agency. During her practice, Mari recognized the value of mediation and assisting families toward creating a sustainable resolution to fit their family and prevent further litigation. 


Mari is originally from Hilo on the Big Island. She earned a B.A. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in political science and later earned her J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Following law school, she served as a law clerk to The Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan (Ret.). 


Mari’s mediation training includes Pepperdine Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and Mediation Center of the Pacific Basic and Advanced training, and Mediation and Conflict Management Master Class. Mari is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the Permanent Committee on Family Court Rules, and the Family Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Hawai'i State Bar Association. She serves as secretary of the Child Law Section and as a board member of the William S. Richardson School of Law Alumni Association. 


Mari has served as Voluntary Settlement Master for the Family Court of the First Circuit. She also volunteers with the Kapolei Access to Justice Room, Hawai'i State Bar Association, and Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai'i. Mari has been recognized for her pro bono service by the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission since 2014. Mari was a presenter at the 2022 Hawaii State Bar Convention, the 2022 and 2023 Hawaii All Military Legal Assistance Conference, and the 2022 Hawaii Behavioral Health and Wellness Conference. Mari participates in family law mediation and negotiation exercises at the William S. Richardson School of Law and presents on panel discussions at the law school. Mari was named to the Super Lawyer's 2016-2019 Hawai'i Rising Stars List.


Mari spends her free time running, chasing after her daughter (and husband), and trying to keep her house plants alive. 

About Leslie

Ching Allen

Leslie Ching Allen specializes in helping families transition through life’s challenges. As a mediator and former family law attorney, Leslie mediates issues involving divorce, property division, time sharing and support. As a mother whose children were only 5½ and 11 when she separated and divorced, Leslie is well aware of the challenges faced by families facing divorce and paternity disputes. She believes the best outcomes for all family members are achieved through mutual respect, and cooperation.


Leslie was born and raised in Honolulu. She earned her B.A. (Economics with Honors) and J.D. from University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She is a member of the Hawaii State Bar (admitted 1982) and the Washington State Bar Association (admitted 1984). After law school, she clerked for the late Justice Keith M. Callow at the Washington State Court of Appeals (Division I in Seattle), followed by 10 years of complex commercial litigation. She was a Disciplinary Counsel for the Washington State Bar Association for nearly 18 years. After her youngest child graduated from high school in 2012, Leslie returned to Honolulu to be closer to her aging mother. She is a resident of Kailua, Hawaii.


Leslie practiced as a family law litigator in Honolulu for 8 years, where she represented clients in civilian and military divorces (property and pension divisions, alimony, child support and time-sharing), paternity (child custody and child support), and guardianship. She retired from actively practicing law in 2021, joining Family Mediation Hawaii in 2022.

About Jeff Smoot

About Mari Kishimoto Doi



Mari Kishimoto Doi is a trained mediator, and family law attorney. Prior to joining Family Mediation Hawaii, Mari practiced exclusively in family law litigation for 13 years where she handled all areas of family law including divorce, custody, child support, guardianship and adoptions appearing regularly in Family Courts throughout the State and in the Child Support Enforcement Agency. During her practice, Mari recognized the value of mediation and assisting families toward creating a sustainable resolution to fit their family and prevent further litigation. 


Mari is originally from Hilo on the Big Island. She earned a B.A. from the University of Hawaii at Manoa majoring in political science and later earned her J.D. from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Following law school, she served as a law clerk to The Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan (Ret.). 


Mari’s mediation training includes Pepperdine Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and Mediation Center of the Pacific Basic and Advanced training, and Mediation and Conflict Management Master Class. Mari is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), the Permanent Committee on Family Court Rules, and the Family Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution of the Hawai'i State Bar Association. She serves as secretary of the Child Law Section and as a board member of the William S. Richardson School of Law Alumni Association. 


Mari has served as Voluntary Settlement Master for the Family Court of the First Circuit. She also volunteers with the Kapolei Access to Justice Room, Hawai'i State Bar Association, and Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai'i. Mari has been recognized for her pro bono service by the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission since 2014. Mari was a presenter at the 2022 Hawaii State Bar Convention, the 2022 and 2023 Hawaii All Military Legal Assistance Conference, and the 2022 Hawaii Behavioral Health and Wellness Conference. Mari participates in family law mediation and negotiation exercises at the William S. Richardson School of Law and presents on panel discussions at the law school. Mari was named to the Super Lawyer's 2016-2019 Hawai'i Rising Stars List.


Mari spends her free time running, chasing after her daughter (and husband), and trying to keep her house plants alive. 

About Leslie Ching Allen

Leslie Ching Allen specializes in helping families transition through life’s challenges. As a mediator and former family law attorney, Leslie mediates issues involving divorce, property division, time sharing and support. As a mother whose children were only 5½ and 11 when she separated and divorced, Leslie is well aware of the challenges faced by families facing divorce and paternity disputes. She believes the best outcomes for all family members are achieved through mutual respect, and cooperation.


Leslie was born and raised in Honolulu. She earned her B.A. (Economics with Honors) and J.D. from University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She is a member of the Hawaii State Bar (admitted 1982) and the Washington State Bar Association (admitted 1984). After law school, she clerked for the late Justice Keith M. Callow at the Washington State Court of Appeals (Division I in Seattle), followed by 10 years of complex commercial litigation. She was a Disciplinary Counsel for the Washington State Bar Association for nearly 18 years. After her youngest child graduated from high school in 2012, Leslie returned to Honolulu to be closer to her aging mother. She is a resident of Kailua, Hawaii.


Leslie practiced as a family law litigator in Honolulu for 8 years, where she represented clients in civilian and military divorces (property and pension divisions, alimony, child support and time-sharing), paternity (child custody and child support), and guardianship. She retired from actively practicing law in 2021, joining Family Mediation Hawaii in 2022.




About Jeff Smoot

About Jeff Smoot

Jeff Smoot is a trained mediator and former family law attorney. Born and raised in Seattle, Jeff moved to Honolulu in 2021, where he has focused exclusively on dispute resolution. He received mediation training from the Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County (Washington) and the Mediation Center of the Pacific including advanced and divorce mediation, as well as arbitration training through the Washington and California state bars. 


In addition to working with Family Mediation Hawaii, Jeff continues to represent clients in Washington in asset-related matters including bankruptcy, receivership, business restructuring, and as an advocate in commercial, family, and foreclosure mediation as well as private commercial mediation. He was recognized by his peers as a business bankruptcy Super Lawyer in 2020-2023. Jeff’s background in asset-focused litigation as well as his lived experience as a child in a contested custody and relocation trial give him a unique perspective for mediating cases involving asset division, child custody, and relocation. 


Jeff is an active member of the Washington State Bar, the Washington Mediation Association, and Conflict Resolution Alliance of Hawaii, and a panel member for the Hawaii Bankruptcy Alternative Dispute Resolution program. He served on the Washington State Bar Association Rule 6 Law Clerk Board for several years including two years as chair, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate representing the interests of children in high-conflict custody cases. 


Jeff is a volunteer mediator at the Mediation Center of the Pacific, and a longstanding member of the Camp Long Advisory Council which provides outdoor education and stewardship opportunities for underserved youth in the Seattle area. 


In his free time, Jeff enjoys writing, photography, playing the guitar, and almost any kind of outdoor activity including hiking, rock climbing, and swimming. 


About Jessica Summersgill

About Jessica Summersgill

Jeff Smoot is a trained mediator and former family law attorney. Born and raised in Seattle, Jeff moved to Honolulu in 2021, where he has focused exclusively on dispute resolution. He received mediation training from the Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County (Washington) and the Mediation Center of the Pacific including advanced and divorce mediation, as well as arbitration training through the Washington and California state bars. 

In addition to working with Family Mediation Hawaii, Jeff continues to represent clients in Washington in asset-related matters including bankruptcy, receivership, business restructuring, and as an advocate in commercial, family, and foreclosure mediation as well as private commercial mediation. He was recognized by his peers as a business bankruptcy Super Lawyer in 2020-2023. Jeff’s background in asset-focused litigation as well as his lived experience as a child in a contested custody and relocation trial give him a unique perspective for mediating cases involving asset division, child custody, and relocation. 

Jeff is an active member of the Washington State Bar, the Washington Mediation Association, and Conflict Resolution Alliance of Hawaii, and a panel member for the Hawaii Bankruptcy Alternative Dispute Resolution program. He served on the Washington State Bar Association Rule 6 Law Clerk Board for several years including two years as chair, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate representing the interests of children in high-conflict custody cases. 

Jeff is a volunteer mediator at the Mediation Center of the Pacific, and a longstanding member of the Camp Long Advisory Council which provides outdoor education and stewardship opportunities for underserved youth in the Seattle area. 

In his free time, Jeff enjoys writing, photography, playing the guitar, and almost any kind of outdoor activity including hiking, rock climbing, and swimming. 

About Jessica Summersgill

Jessica Summersgill is a trained mediator, family law attorney, parenting coordinator and advocate for children. She believes in the value of working collaboratively with families and empowering them to act in their children’s best interest. 

 

Jessica holds a B.A. from Bucknell University, a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. She is admitted to the New York, New Jersey and Hawaii State Bar Associations. She is a member of the Family Law, Child Law and Probate and Estate Planning Sections. 


Jessica regularly updates her training through the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and is an active volunteer mediator with The Mediation Center of the Pacific for the past 5 years. 

 

In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and two young children, gardening, surfing and playing pickleball. 


Jessica Summersgill is a trained mediator, family law attorney, parenting coordinator and advocate for children. She believes in the value of working collaboratively with families and empowering them to act in their children’s best interest. 

 

Jessica holds a B.A. from Bucknell University, a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. She is admitted to the New York, New Jersey and Hawaii State Bar Associations. She is a member of the Family Law, Child Law and Probate and Estate Planning Sections. 

Jessica regularly updates her training through the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and is an active volunteer mediator with The Mediation Center of the Pacific for the past 5 years. 

 

In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and two young children, gardening, surfing and playing pickleball. 

About Tom Stirling

About Tom Stirling

About Tom Stirling

Tom L. Stirling, Jr. grew up on the East Coast and first came to Hawai‘i in 1965 while serving in the U.S. Army. He returned after completing his military service and law school, making Hawai‘i his permanent home in 1969. A graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1964 and a JD in 1969, Tom has built a distinguished legal career marked by expertise, dedication, and community service. His commitment to continuous learning is reflected in his advanced training in mediation from the Pepperdine School of Law and other specialized programs.


With a legal career spanning decades, Tom has served in various prominent roles, from associate attorney to senior partner, before establishing his own practice. His current focus includes estate planning, premarital agreements, and divorce mediation. He was an advocate for over 60 mediations while practicing as a divorce attorney and contributed as a volunteer mediator in family and appellate courts. Beyond his legal practice, Thomas has been an active community leader, supporting organizations such as Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, and the Hawaii Army Museum Society. Recognized as one of "Hawai‘i's Best Lawyers," Thomas is also a published author in legal education, sharing his knowledge to guide others in the profession.


About Laurie Arial Tochiki

Laurie Arial Tochiki, Ph.D., Esq., is a mediator, facilitator, and consultant doing business as Pilina Pathways LLC. Laurie started her legal career as a family law attorney, representing clients in divorce, adoption, guardianship, and other family law issues, as well as representing children and parents in the child welfare system. She then worked at the Family Court of the First Circuit, where she helped to create the Kids First Program and a mediation program for child welfare cases. In 1994, Laurie began a Family Law Clinic at the William S. Richardson School of Law. While working as a professor and later as Associate Dean for Student Services at the William S. Richardson School of Law, Laurie taught several courses including Children and the Law, Lawyering Skills, and Family Law. 


Laurie trained as a mediator through the Mediation Center of the Pacific. Laurie is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mediation Centers of Hawai‘i and is a volunteer mediator at the Mediation Center of the Pacific. In June 2024, she stepped down as the Executive Director of EPIC ‘Ohana, a nonprofit organization. serving families, children, and youth in the child welfare system. She is a co-founder of the organization and served as Executive Director from 2012 to 2024. EPIC is the backbone organization for a network of agencies and foundations called Nā Kama a Hāloa, which seeks to improve outcomes for native Hawaiian children touched by the child welfare system. 


In 2022, Governor Ige appointed Laurie Tochiki to serve as a Regent on the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents. She currently serves as First Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Student Success Committee. Laurie is also Co-Chair of the Mālama ‘Ohana Working Group, which was established by the 2023 legislature to recommend improvements to the child welfare system. 


From 1999 to 2011, Laurie served as Associate Dean for Student Services at the William S. Richardson School of Law. While working at the University she studied higher education administration and policy, earning a Ph.D in Education Policy in 2015. Laurie also earned a master’s in administration, with an emphasis on Public Administration from the Hawaiʻi campus of Central Michigan University. Laurie has a certificate in Trauma Effective Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification from the HRCI. 


In 2021 she was awarded the Casey Excellence for Children Award for Leadership from Casey Family Programs. In 2024 she was awarded the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Service Award. She is a recipient of the Hawaii State Bar Association’s “Golden Gavel” award, the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers Distinguished Service Award, the Hawaiʻi Women’s Legal Foundation’s Rhoda Lewis Community Service Award, and the William S. Richardson School of Law Alumni Association Service Award. 


Tom L. Stirling, Jr. grew up on the East Coast and first came to Hawai‘i in 1965 while serving in the U.S. Army. He returned after completing his military service and law school, making Hawai‘i his permanent home in 1969. A graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1964 and a JD in 1969, Tom has built a distinguished legal career marked by expertise, dedication, and community service. His commitment to continuous learning is reflected in his advanced training in mediation from the Pepperdine School of Law and other specialized programs.


With a legal career spanning decades, Tom has served in various prominent roles, from associate attorney to senior partner, before establishing his own practice. His current focus includes estate planning, premarital agreements, and divorce mediation. He was an advocate for over 60 mediations while practicing as a divorce attorney and contributed as a volunteer mediator in family and appellate courts. Beyond his legal practice, Thomas has been an active community leader, supporting organizations such as Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i, the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, and the Hawaii Army Museum Society. Recognized as one of "Hawai‘i's Best Lawyers," Thomas is also a published author in legal education, sharing his knowledge to guide others in the profession.


About Laurie Arial Tochiki

Laurie Arial Tochiki, Ph.D., Esq., is a mediator, facilitator, and consultant doing business as Pilina Pathways LLC. Laurie started her legal career as a family law attorney, representing clients in divorce, adoption, guardianship, and other family law issues, as well as representing children and parents in the child welfare system. She then worked at the Family Court of the First Circuit, where she helped to create the Kids First Program and a mediation program for child welfare cases. In 1994, Laurie began a Family Law Clinic at the William S. Richardson School of Law. While working as a professor and later as Associate Dean for Student Services at the William S. Richardson School of Law, Laurie taught several courses including Children and the Law, Lawyering Skills, and Family Law. 


Laurie trained as a mediator through the Mediation Center of the Pacific. Laurie is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mediation Centers of Hawai‘i and is a volunteer mediator at the Mediation Center of the Pacific. In June 2024, she stepped down as the Executive Director of EPIC ‘Ohana, a nonprofit organization. serving families, children, and youth in the child welfare system. She is a co-founder of the organization and served as Executive Director from 2012 to 2024. EPIC is the backbone organization for a network of agencies and foundations called Nā Kama a Hāloa, which seeks to improve outcomes for native Hawaiian children touched by the child welfare system. 


In 2022, Governor Ige appointed Laurie Tochiki to serve as a Regent on the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents. She currently serves as First Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Student Success Committee. Laurie is also Co-Chair of the Mālama ‘Ohana Working Group, which was established by the 2023 legislature to recommend improvements to the child welfare system. 


From 1999 to 2011, Laurie served as Associate Dean for Student Services at the William S. Richardson School of Law. While working at the University she studied higher education administration and policy, earning a Ph.D in Education Policy in 2015. Laurie also earned a master’s in administration, with an emphasis on Public Administration from the Hawaiʻi campus of Central Michigan University. Laurie has a certificate in Trauma Effective Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification from the HRCI. 


In 2021 she was awarded the Casey Excellence for Children Award for Leadership from Casey Family Programs. In 2024 she was awarded the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Service Award. She is a recipient of the Hawaii State Bar Association’s “Golden Gavel” award, the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers Distinguished Service Award, the Hawaiʻi Women’s Legal Foundation’s Rhoda Lewis Community Service Award, and the William S. Richardson School of Law Alumni Association Service Award.


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