The rEV. Michael Kilpatrick

St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego

Nominee’s Bio: I was born and raised in Texas. I served in both the United States Army as a combat medic in Vietnam and the Navy as a clinical cardiopulmonary perfusionist.

I came to the Episcopal Church in 1973. I have taught Sunday School, served on Vestries, and been a delegate to diocesan conventions. I have served as an acolyte, Lay Reader, thurifer, acolyte master, master of ceremonies, and liturgist.

I serve on the Standing Committee and liaise with the Commission on Ministry. I am also Secretary and Clerk of the Chapter of St. Paul’s Cathedral, where I am assigned.

Over the past 35 years, I have worked mainly in the legal profession and Alternative Dispute Resolution as an ombudsperson and mediator. My expertise includes conflicts involving abusive leadership and high-conflict personalities (bullying behavior).

I hold a Law degree from Western State University, a Master of Theology from Oxford, a Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Creighton Law, and certificates in Church Mediation, Advanced Negotiations, and Labor Relations from Pepperdine, Harvard, and Cornell. I also completed the Canon Law certificate.

I am married to Desiree. I have three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Nominee’s Statement in Favor of Their Candidacy: I believe I am qualified to serve on this committee.

I practiced administrative law and conducted approximately 300 expert depositions and 200 depositions of parties in interest. I have tried 28 cases and written successful appeals in eight of them. In my secular work in alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”), I have served as the neutral in approximately 6,000 cases over my 20-plus-year career. This professional experience allows me to bring a wide range of practical skills to this position.

I have a sound working knowledge of relevant Canon Law (Title IV) and procedures.

I possess the skills to maintain neutrality and impartiality, grounded in years of practical, real-world experience. In my ADR practice, confidentiality was essential and foundational to trust and to the integrity of the process. I believe this attribute is no less important to these proceedings. I believe the parties must know they are being heard; as such, my preparation allows more time for active listening and for advancing relevant questions that hopefully assure the parties that they are being heard. I believe in fairness and in mercy. I believe that, in all matters, it is vital to ensure and preserve the dignity of the parties.