If you’re looking for the biggest mediation nerd and enthusiastic teacher, look no further than Joe Guilbeau. Joe was a practicing defense attorney for 39 years before he joined Prism Group in May 2022, and he knew he was in the right place after Alan’s first question to him after his first case as a mediator: “how did you feel?”

“I loved it!” was his response, and he’s been growing and grooving with Prism ever since. His favorite part of mediating is getting to teach people about navigating the comp system and the reward of finding a resolution that all parties can agree on.

“I realized in my last 10-15 years of practicing law, the most satisfying thing is putting together a creative settlement… calling the other side and figuring out what the actual issues are.”

For him, this is why mediation works: “because you’re having an actual conversation. People feel heard and trusted.”

Joe has a genuine and sincere interest in people’s stories and the problems from the defense side. He believes everyone is trying to do the right thing, it’s just a matter of listening and finding out what each party needs to move forward.

Outside of mediations, Joe likes to hang out on his Bourbon porch, where he says “there’s a lot more talking than sipping.” He’s also a lector and eucharist administrator in his Catholic church, but his favorite roles are “Papa Joe” to his five grandchildren and “Dad” to his three children .

Ask Joe about college baseball, The Civil War, or WW2 if you want to get him talking, and choose Joe as your mediator if you like to learn from the greatest student there is!