Today we’d like to introduce you to MyKhanh Shelton.
Hi MyKhanh, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was just a baby when my family fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon in 1975. We arrived in America with almost nothing, joining thousands of other refugees seeking safety and a new beginning. Growing up as the youngest of four in our Vietnamese household, I became a natural bridge-builder – translating not just language but entire cultural worldviews between my family’s traditions and the American life surrounding us.
Those early years taught me something powerful that would shape my entire career: when people come from different worlds, they see things differently – conflicts, solutions, even success itself. After UCLA and later UC Berkeley Law School, I found myself drawn to becoming a trial lawyer, landing first at Quinn Emanuel. While the intellectual challenge was thrilling, it was the human stories in employment cases that truly captivated me. Behind every discrimination claim or harassment case was a person whose workplace experience had fundamentally changed them.
My path led to Twentieth Century Fox as in-house counsel, where I handled everything from heated writers’ room disputes to executive-level conflicts across film, television, sports, and interactive divisions. What fascinated me was how often these conflicts stemmed not from malice but from profound misunderstandings – people simply talking past each other from entirely different perspectives.
I noticed something else too: by the time issues reached litigation, relationships were often permanently damaged. This realization sparked a gradual shift in my approach – from cleaning up messes to preventing them in the first place. I began working closely with business and HR leaders on creating environments where diverse perspectives could flourish. This evolution eventually led me to spearhead Fox’s first global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department, work I continued at WarnerMedia across Warner Bros., HBO and CNN.
Throughout these experiences, I kept returning to one core truth: when people feel truly heard and understood, seemingly intractable conflicts often dissolve. This insight, combined with my legal background and bicultural perspective, ultimately led me to establish Shelton ADR, where I now focus exclusively on mediating employment disputes. I’ve found there’s something profoundly satisfying about helping parties move from entrenched positions to mutual understanding – creating solutions neither could have reached alone.
Looking back, I see how each chapter of my story – from refugee child navigating two cultures to corporate executive bridging organizational divides – has prepared me for this work, which may be why I love it so much!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My parents and siblings fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon with nothing but the clothes they wore – that wasn’t smooth. I was just a baby then, spared the memories they still carry.
My journey has involved constantly balancing worlds – Vietnamese and American cultures, legal career and motherhood, ambition and presence. Raising two daughters while advancing through demanding legal roles taught me the art of ruthless prioritization.
Establishing my own mediation practice has presented a different set of challenges—building a client base, distinguishing myself in a competitive field, and helping parties understand the value of having a mediator who brings both legal expertise and cultural competence to the table.
What’s carried me through is the village around me. I’m infinitely grateful for my friends, family and community. When things get tough, I remember watching my parents work full-time while raising four children and two of my cousins in a foreign country. Their resilience isn’t just family history – it’s the blueprint that shows me what’s possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of Shelton ADR. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Shelton ADR offers a different approach to employment dispute resolution—one built on 27 years of perspective from all sides of workplace conflict. Having served as litigator, in-house counsel, and DEI executive, I bring a 360 degree perspective, seeing the complete picture that each party only partially views.
I specialize in transforming high-stakes employment disputes—harassment, discrimination, retaliation claims—into workable solutions.
My clients appreciate that I’ve walked in their shoes: I understand the business owner’s sleepless nights over budget-draining litigation; I recognize the employee’s need for validation beyond just financial settlement. For small businesses especially, litigation isn’t just expensive—it’s existentially threatening, diverting precious time and focus from business growth. I keep proceedings focused, practical, and cost-effective.
Whether you’re facing your first employee claim or managing complex workplace dynamics, my approach centers on finding solutions that address not just legal claims, but underlying human needs—saving you time, money, and emotional energy for what truly matters: your mission.
Any big plans?
I believe mediation work extends far beyond legal settlements—it’s about healing workplace cultures. When I look at Los Angeles’ vibrant community of creators, innovators and entrepreneurs, I see endless possibilities for building conflict intelligence into the DNA of how we work together. That’s the future I’m working toward: where workplace disputes become opportunities for growth rather than existential threats.
The challenges are significant, but so is my optimism. Every successful mediation reinforces my belief that with the right process and perspective, people can transform seemingly intractable conflicts into pathways for positive change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sheltonadr.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykhanh-shelton/
