About this episode

Craig interviews retired Chancellor Edward Patten about his career in law and mediation.

In this episode, Craig sits down with retired Chancellor Ed Patten for a thoughtful, behind-the-scenes look at a career spent at the intersection of law and real life. Judge Patten's path to the bench wasn't linear—he began as a pharmacist before earning his law degree from Ole Miss and building a successful legal practice in Hazlehurst, eventually serving five terms over more than two decades as Chancellor of Mississippi's Fifteenth Chancery Court District. In the first part of our conversation, Judge Patten reflects on his upbringing, his transition into law, and what led him to the bench, while offering a clear picture of what a chancellor actually does and the weight of decisions that shape families, estates, and futures. In the second segment, we explore his transition into mediation and how his role has shifted from decision-maker to facilitator, breaking down the critical differences between having your case decided by a judge versus resolving it through negotiation. Along the way, Judge Patten shares practical insight, hard-earned wisdom, and a grounded perspective on conflict, responsibility, and what ultimately leads to better outcomes for the people involved.

People in this episode

Hosts: Craig Robertson, Matt Easterling

Guest: Edward Patten

Topics covered

• law
• mediation
• judicial system
• conflict resolution
• personal journey

Keywords

• Chancellor
• law degree
• mediation
• conflict
• judicial decisions
• legal practice
• Mississippi

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ole Miss

Places: Mississippi, Hazlehurst

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