About Our Founders
Catherine and Michael met at Charleston Law in 2009 when they were selected for an externship by Cotton Harness, considered to be one of the most prolific leaders in the field of alternative dispute resolution. Through this unique opportunity, Catherine and Michael were trained in both traditional and youth-based mediation program curriculum implementation. After providing what was “cutting edge” education and training for both faculty and students and running a student dispute resolution center, both Catherine and Michael came to the same conclusion. The existing methods for bringing conflict resolution to students were too little, too late, and, most importantly, lacked the excitement and engagement required to capture the interest of children in a lasting and impactful way.
Catherine M. Wilhoit, Esq.
Catherine is the creator and founder of Addressing Basic Conflict. Catherine earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing from the College of Charleston, which she uses to create original content for Addressing Basic Conflict. Catherine received her law degree from the Charleston School of Law, where she has taught courses in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. In addition to being an active member of the South Carolina Bar and practicing law, Catherine is certified in social-emotional and character development instruction through the Rutgers University Department of Psychology. Catherine is also a qualified family and civil mediator, a staff and youth mediation trainer, a certified juvenile arbitrator, and Past-Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the South Carolina Bar. Valuing community involvement and engagement, she also serves on the Board of the Mediation and Meeting Center of Charleston, acts as a member of the Charleston Inn of Court, and is a frequent presenter on conflict resolution education addressing both legal and educational communities. Catherine has been honored to present at the South Carolina Safe Schools Summit and The International Conflict Resolution Education Summit, as well as the South Carolina Bar Family and Civil Mediation Certification Trainings. Recently, Catherine was selected by the Charleston Based Spoleto Festival in collaboration with the Charleston County School District to train 30 classroom teachers about cooperation and conflict management in the classroom. Catherine has also developed and implemented training for school resource officers, teaching skills to allow SROs to positively interact with students and problem solve proactively.
Through Addressing Basic Conflict, Catherine’s work and training has touched the lives of thousands of young people, parents and educators locally and globally, extending as far as Kenya. Catherine is particularly proud to have worked with numerous community organizations interested in the wellbeing of children, including WINGS for Kids, Engaging Creative Minds, the LENS Foundation, The Charleston Spoleto Festival, Charleston County School District, and The Charleston Police Department. She loves seeing the far-reaching benefits of her work in conflict resolution education. Catherine is the mother of Miller, her young son, and wife to her wonderful husband, Tyler.
Michael W. Abro, Esq., Ed.S.
Michael received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the Honors College at the University of South Carolina, her Educational Specialist Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from the University of South Carolina - Magna Cum Laude, and a law degree from the Charleston School of Law - Cum Laude. Michael has worked with children and families to address social and emotional challenges in a variety of settings including schools, detention centers, community mental health centers, and group homes. Michael has utilized her unique skillset and expertise to provide communication and conflict resolution skills training for counselors, educators, caregivers and children across the country. In addition to her work with children and families, Michael is a licensed attorney dedicated to character education in the community and legal profession. To this end, she teaches Legal Ethics at the Charleston School of Law and supervises law students who volunteer with the Mediation and Meeting Center of Charleston. Michael is a qualified Civil Court Mediator, a trained youth and faculty mediation educator experience teaching students and staff the skills necessary to facilitate peer mediations and resolve conflict. She prides herself on being community oriented and serves on the Board of the Mediation and Meeting Center of Charleston. Michael has also served as the past president for the James L. Petigru American Inn of Court and utilizes both her background in counseling and law to provide continuing legal education to attorneys and other professionals as well as insight and support to the Charleston County Bar Wellness Committee. Michael is the mother of Elliott, her young daughter, and wife to her husband, Joseph. Michael is a passionate advocate for children and educators.