Neutral Spotlight – Hon. Grace Burke Carroll (Ret.)
With over 80 distinguished Neutrals—including retired judges and seasoned attorneys—serving Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, The McCammon Group is excited to continue our “Neutral Spotlight” series. This ongoing feature highlights the exceptional expertise, diverse experiences, and unique backgrounds of our Neutrals. Through these spotlights, we offer a closer look at the professionals who are committed to delivering fair, effective, and innovative dispute resolution services. Join us as we showcase the individuals who contribute to The McCammon Group’s reputation as a trusted leader in alternative dispute resolution.
- What was your first job? When I was 10 years old, I really wanted a ten-speed bike, which my parents could not afford. I saw an ad in a magazine that touted you could make money selling greeting cards. I contacted the company, received my card samples and mail order forms and proceeded to go door to door to sell cards to my neighbors until I had the money for that bike.
- If you could invite any three people (past or present) to a dinner party, who would you invite? Ben Franklin, Sandra Day O’Connor, and Bono
- If a movie were made about your life, who would you want to play you? I would want an actor with a great sense of humor to play me like Sandra Bullock or Catherine O’Hara.
- Do you have a lucky charm? I don’t have a lucky charm, but I do believe that positivity and hard work brings you luck.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in law? In college, I met one of the founders of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, and I was fascinated by their work. And in the 80’s, the best way to get into the FBI was with a law degree. So that interest started me down the path to apply to law school. By the time I was a 3L, I was drawn to trial work and the courtroom.
- What’s a professional risk you took that paid off? Despite having significant student loans, I took a job as a prosecutor for a relatively low salary, but that position was invaluable to me in the courtroom experience, and significant amount of jury trials I conducted in the very beginning of my legal career. The second and probably biggest risk was starting my own practice after leaving St. Paul Fire and Marine Med. Mal. Unit. I had to learn how to run my own business as well as practice law. It was a tremendous amount of work but so satisfying when it became successful.
- What led to your transition into ADR? In the ten years I sat as a judge, and in my years as a practicing attorney, there were many times when the evidence and law dictated an outcome, extremely adverse to one of the parties. And having used ADR successfully as both plaintiff and defense counsel, I knew it was a great way to resolve disputes before the matter was in a courtroom with a judge or a jury.
- What qualities do you think are essential for someone in your role to be an effective neutral party? Patience, positivity that the matter can get resolved, and an ability to connect on some personal level with the parties.
- How do you handle situations where both parties seem unwilling to compromise? Confirming with each of the parties what is their most important objective to mediation. Many times, each party has a goal that is not mutually exclusive to the other party’s goal. I raise the issue of evaluativeness and if and when an attorney or party wants those observations from my experience. I also urge them to remain positive and open.
- Is there a case or moment in your ADR career that you’re particularly proud of? One particularly satisfying moment was getting a couple to agree on the custody and visitation of their infant son. The split was very painful for both and counsel was able to craft a creative solution. The other was resolving a medical malpractice claim involving the complete incapacitation of a young mother and wife.
- What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, either personally or professionally? I was a collegiate field hockey player. Striker or forward was my position. My best coach told me to “Always take the shot!” That applies to almost anything in life.
- Is there a quote or phrase you find yourself coming back to often? I have a few phrases that are on loop: “A smile can never be kept…it can only be given away.” – Robert Browning and “Fortune favors the bold.”- Virgil
The Honorable Grace Burke Carroll retired as a Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court after nearly a decade of distinguished service. Judge Carroll began her legal career as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County, and later enjoyed a successful private practice representing both plaintiffs and defendants in cases related to wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice, and commercial matters. Among her many credentials, she is a faculty member of the Virginia State Bar’s Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course for new lawyers and a Member of Randolph-Macon College’s Board of Trustees. Judge Carroll now brings her skills and experience to The McCammon Group to serve the alternative dispute resolution needs of lawyers and litigants throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.