After 21 years with Littler Mendelson, a premier Labor & Employment "boutique", and a total of 29 years of litigation practice, I decided to finally pursue my long held dream of building a successful mediation practice. The last 20 years of my litigation practice were dedicated primarily to defending employers against wage and hour class action and Private Attorney General Act ("PAGA") lawsuits. This included multiple victories on class certification and handling hundreds of mediations of such claims.
During my litigation career, I also handled hundreds of single plaintiff cases ranging from discrimination and harassment claims to whistleblower, to noncompete and restrictive covenant issues. I also had a significant advice and counsel practice that required me to strongly consider the employee's perspective and to see around corners to avoid claims and to ensure fair treatment of employees.
I have also handled many jury trials, including three in the last two years of my litigation practice. Two of them were six week trials in Los Angeles Superior Court and the third was a two week trial in federal court. My team had the joy of winning defense verdicts in two of the cases, but also suffered the pain of a seven figure verdict against our client. In short, I have the personal experience to fully understand and appreciate the risks and costs of litigation, especially including litigating a case through trial and even through appeal.
Early in my career, before Littler Mendelson, I worked for several years as a general litigator. This experience gave me the skills and perspective I needed to become a successful employment litigator. My most memorable case involved representing the City of Chicago to defend against a constitutional attack on its Minority Owned Business and Women Owned Business programs. For a two year period, most of my practice was dedicated to this case and it provided me with a unique perspective on race and gender issues.
My training, experience, commitment to service and relentless desire to win for my clients - which means settle your cases - makes me uniquely qualified to serve as your mediator.
I serve as a Settlement Officer in the Los Angeles Superior Court Resolve Law LA Program and I serve as a mediator in the Orange County Superior Court Civil Mediation Program. My interest in mediation began back in 1995 as a first year associate in Toledo, Ohio. I volunteered to serve as a mediator in the Court's citizen dispute mediation program. I completed significant training and mediated dozens of citizen disputes. After returning to California, I completed a forty hour mediation training program through the Orange County Superior Court and am scheduled to complete additional continuing education by taking mediation courses at the Strauss Institute at Pepperdine University's Caruso School of Law.
On a personal note, I graduated from the University of Michigan in 1990 with a B.A. in Economics and from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law with a J.D. in 1995. As you might expect, I am an avid college football fan. I also enjoy volunteering my time in youth sports and counseling and mentoring others.
My entire career has led me to this point, full circle, back to mediating cases rather than litigating them. I adamantly believe that in life and in law, peace through resolution is almost always the most prudent and fruitful course. I will be honored to facilitate that process for you.
Since becoming a full-time neutral in early 2024, I have mediated more than 100 cases with great success. I have also completed the process to join the Panel of Arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association and am beginning to accept cases as an arbitrator. Further, I have engaged in multiple speaking engagements regarding mediation, including the impact of New PAGA on the mediation process for PAGA matters.
