Linda Ippolito is a classical pianist, litigation lawyer, alternative dispute resolution practitioner, and teacher.  As a pianist, Linda has performed in solo recitals, with orchestra, and as a collaborative pianist in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia.  Linda is a senior partner at the Toronto law firm Sheridan, Ippolito & Associates and has argued before every level of Court in Ontario and before various administrative tribunals.   She acts as litigation counsel, mediator, and collaborative family lawyer in assisting her clients.  In addition to practicing law, Linda teaches negotiation, advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution to legal and non-legal professionals through the University of Toronto’s continuing education, at Humber College, Queens University Law School, and Osgoode Hall Law School.

Linda’s passion lies in the intersection between music and peacebuilding.  She holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Toronto, an LL.B and an LL.M in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, and is currently in her 4^th year of doctoral studies.  Her Master’s thesis explored collaborative vocal music-making as an innovative approach to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.  Linda’s dissertation focuses on the intersection between collaborative music-making and group negotiation, conflict resolution, and transformation.  It seeks to answer the question of whether or not we can shift our dominant culture mindset toward conflict and disputing through the use of alternative metaphors, models, and an arts-based approach to teaching and training.