Masters of Dispute Resolution

Len Levy, a mediator for more than two decades and a neutral on the ADR Services, Inc. panel of neutrals, is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and has been recognized as a SuperLawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution since 2014.  Len has the tools necessary to help parties settle disputes and knows the most effective means of satisfying the interests of parties in conflict.  On Masters of Dispute Resolution, Len, joined by some of the most respected neutrals in the field, will reveal to those participating in mediation the secrets of success in achieving their clients’ goals.  

Features Overview

Was Litigation a Worthwhile Business Investment?

Season 03 Episode 08                                         45:00

Michael G. Balmages, Esq. is an accomplished mediator and discovery referee with extensive experience as a trial lawyer, general counsel, and transactional lawyer. As a mediator and neutral, he has had great success in helping litigants resolve their disputes in more than 1,000 cases.  In this episode, Michael tells the story of a litigated matter, its effect on the parties’ long-term relationship, the price paid in both monetary and non-monetary respects, and why two mediations failed to result in settlement.

Overcoming a Wrongful Accusation and Denial of Due Process Through Mediation

Season 3 Episode 7                                              44:35 

Phyllis W. Cheng, Esq., has excelled at every stage of her career.  For nearly seven years, Ms. Cheng was Director of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the largest state civil rights agency in the United States, where she oversaw the largest settlements in DFEH history.  In this episode, Phyllis joins Len to tell the moving story of a university student whose life was disrupted by a false accusation of sexual assault, a denial of due process by the university, and his suspension as a student.  Through an agreement reached in mediation, he was able to move forward with his life. 

The Collapsed Deck Caused Catastrophic Injuries: Overcoming Impediments to Address the Needs of the Injured Parties

Season 03 Episode 06                                         43:03

Jeff Trueman, Esq., is an experienced, full-time mediator and arbitrator. Specializing in interpersonal conflict, he is well known as a manager of difficult conversations. Jeff joins Len Levy to tell the story of a family reunion suddenly becoming transformed from a joyous occasion to one of life-changing injury and grief and how the mediation Jeff conducted was instrumental in removing the impediments preventing the injured parties from obtaining the help they needed to cope with their injuries and help them heal.  

A Bully, A Doctor, and Different Forms of Pain

Season 03 Episode 05                                         46:35

Wendy Kramer, a full-time neutral on the ADR Services, Inc. panel of neutrals, is one of the most sought-after mediators with a reputation for being highly effective in bringing parties to resolution.  In this episode, Wendy joins Len to tell the story of a gay high school student, long bullied and subsequently physically injured by his tormentor, the misdiagnosis that exacerbated the injury, and the power of apology and remorse in a mediation that made healing possible in some very surprising ways. 

Mediating to Avoid Destruction of a Successful Business

Season 03 Episode 04                                         44:05

Lee Jay Berman became a full-time Los Angeles mediator 28 years ago and has since mediated over 2,500 cases.  As an AAA Master Mediator panelist for employment matters and on AAA’s national roster for commercial and construction disputes, he trains mediators through the American Institute of Mediation locally and worldwide.  In this episode, Lee Jay tells the story of a successful business, embezzlement, and whether the parties could agree to a business dissolution without killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

Friendship and Business: A Recipe for Success or Conflict?

Season 03 Episode 03                                          45:48

As one of the most effective mediators and professors of mediation, Stacie Feldman Hausner has impressed attorneys, their clients, and fellow mediators with her deep knowledge of the intricacies of the mediation process and her ability to apply those concepts successfully.  In this episode, Stacie tells the story of two longtime friends and a business opportunity gone wrong, resulting in an emotional dispute that affected their friendship, families, and community, and the healing made possible by mediation.

The Tale of Business Partners, Their Marriage, and the Bias that Almost Destroyed Both

Season 03 Episode 02                                          45:36

Mark Baer is an attorney who works as a mediator, conflict resolution consultant, coach, trainer, and educator on implicit bias and emotional intelligence.  His approach to conflict recognizes that emotion impacts decision-making and that the litigation process itself often incites rather than calms harmful emotions.  In his conversation with Len, Mark conveys the story of a married couple who are also business partners, how bias caused conflict in both their business and personal relationship, and what it took to change that trajectory.

Nurse Mary and Big Teaching Hospital: Wrongful Termination or Response to a Threat of Violence?

Season 03 Episode 01                                            45:51

As an exceptionally skilled mediator, Claudia Hagadus Long has mediated over 3000 cases and is currently a member of the ADR Services, Inc. panel of mediators.  To begin our third season, this master storyteller and mediator shares with Len the fascinating story of a highly qualified nurse, terminated from her job for making a statement taken as a threat and what occurred during the 4-day mediation conducted by Claudia which reconciled the seemingly irreconcilable.

Business and Real Estate Disputes: Is it Business or Personal?

Season 02  Episode 12                                          43:20

Caroline C. Vincent, Esq., a pioneer attorney neutral in Southern California, has mediated and arbitrated well over 2,700 matters during her distinguished 27-year neutral career.  Her broad legal background with some of California’s most prestigious firms, superb interpersonal skills, keen intellect, and perseverance make her a preferred choice for both plaintiff and defense attorneys in a wide variety of practice areas.  Caroline’s conversation with Len delves into resolution of cases where personal and business concerns are driving the conflict. 

Mediating Habitability Cases: Insurance and Other Issues

Season 02 Episode 11                                            42:05

Lance A. LaBelle, Esq. is a highly regarded mediator, arbitrator, and insurance expert with experience in all forms of insurance matters. Before embarking on a career as a full-time neutral, he practiced law as an AV-rated attorney for over 30 years, handling a wide variety of matters and specializing in insurance cases. In his conversation with Len, Lance provides insights into how to overcome the impediments necessary to resolve not only habitability cases but also others in which insurance issues must be addressed.

Creativity in Dispute Resolution

Season 02 Episode 10                                           40:48

Phyllis W. Cheng, Esq., has excelled at every stage of her career.  For nearly seven years, Ms. Cheng was Director of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the largest state civil rights agency in the United States, where she oversaw the largest settlements in DFEH history.  In this not to be missed episode, Len and Phyllis discuss creative approaches to resolution and what mediation participants can accomplish if they enter into the process open to a problem-solving approach.

Employment Mediation Perspectives

Season 02 Episode 09                                         44:00

Judge Michael Marcus (Ret.) has a well-deserved reputation throughout California as a skilled, personable, forceful mediator and a fair and impartial arbitrator, having been honored by the Daily Journal as a “Top Neutral” for six years and as a “Southern California Super Lawyer” since 2008, and brings an extremely broad legal background to his ADR practice.  In this conversation, Judge Marcus provides his perspective on the tools a retired judge uses to effectively assist the parties in reaching resolution.  

Being General Counsel

Season 02 Episode 08                                         40:38

Mark LeHocky is a mediator and arbitrator with ADR Services, Inc. who previously served as general counsel to Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. and Ross Stores, Inc., spent two decades litigating commercial, IP, antitrust, class action, and other disputes for clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies, and began mediating over twenty years ago.  In this discussion with Len, Mark helps you understand what you need to do in mediation when a general counsel is involved in the decision-making process.

Lessons from an Astronomer about Mediating Business Cases

Season 02 Episode 07                                          44:00

Michael G. Balmages, Esq. is an accomplished mediator and discovery referee with extensive experience as a trial lawyer, general counsel, and transactional lawyer.  As a mediator and neutral, he has had great success in helping litigants resolve their disputes in more than 1,000 cases.  In this conversation with Len, Michael, an avid astronomer, discusses the importance of process to the understanding of how to resolve disputes and whether there is anything in common between law and astronomy.

Complex Medical Issues in Medical Malpractice and Elder Abuse Cases

Season 02 Episode 06                                          43:36

Randy Even brings over 40 years of legal experience (with a specialty in medical malpractice, elder abuse, and complex medical issues) to his dispute resolution practice, acting as a mediator, arbitrator, or settlement officer in over 1,000 cases with an impressive rate of resolution.  In this conversation with Len, Randy draws on his extensive experience to provide insights that will help anyone representing clients in medical malpractice, elder abuse, and other medically related cases achieve better results.

Early Mediation in Employment Disputes: The Why’s, How’s, and Benefits

Season 02 Episode 05                                         44:28

Jan Frankel Schau settles litigated cases arising out of employment and tort disputes with humanity, skill, and intelligence.  With over twenty years of experience as a mediator, following a twenty-year career as a litigator, she has a unique ability to understand and evaluate both sides of a conflict.  Jan joins Len Levy in an informative and valuable discussion highlighting the benefits of early mediation in employment disputes and how changing workplace dynamics and new laws make doing so more compelling.

Does Geography Make a Difference in Mediation?

Season 02 Episode 04                                         42:29

Jeff Trueman, Esq., is an experienced, full-time mediator and arbitrator.  Specializing in interpersonal conflict, he is well known as a manager of difficult conversations.  Jeff joins Len Levy for an enlightening discussion of important considerations for attorneys and mediators alike to avoid potential pitfalls when participating in mediations that might be governed by the rules and statutes of different jurisdictions.

Shaking the Money Tree: What is Needed to Settle Cases Involving Insurance

Season 02 Episode 03                                         43:09

Glenn Barger’s accomplished career as a trial attorney and mediator has gained him recognition as a Super Lawyer.  He is ranked as one of the Best Lawyers in America, with extensive experience in multiple complex bodily injury, professional liability, and construction matters, as well as mass-tort, business, and employment cases.  Glenn brings considerable insight and expertise to his work as a mediator and shares his insider’s view of essentials when dealing with insurance in this conversation with Len Levy.

You Can’t Let an Amateur Fly the Plane

Season 02 Episode 02                                          44:50

Robert Mann’s technical expertise in real estate and construction is unmatched, with his experience as a trial lawyer and mediator and his hands-on knowledge from supervising major construction projects.  In this episode, Bob joins Len Levy in a conversation about mediating construction and construction defect cases, essentials often overlooked by attorneys, and the landmines to avoid while reaching resolution.  Furthermore, his insights on insurance issues turn this discussion into a mini-seminar on mediating insurance cases.

The Mediation of Cases Involving Catastrophic Injuries

Season 02 Episode 01                                          50:00

Mayra Fornos brings her considerable expertise as a neutral and accomplished litigator with three decades of experience handling a wide range of civil matters, including catastrophic personal injury. In her conversation with Len, Mayra discusses, among other things, the use of experts and how to prepare the most effective presentation in a mediation context, preparing your client, and how to get the other side to see things through a different lens.

What Your Mediator Needs to Meet or Exceed Your Expectations

Season 01 Episode 12                                             40:18

Alan Saler has enjoyed a thriving practice as a neutral since founding Alan Saler Mediation Services in 2003.  He has mediated more than 3,000 civil cases and disputes and consistently achieves resolution through his legal analysis, evaluative skills, meticulous preparation, and tenacity.  Alan joins Len for an informative discussion that includes parties’ expectations and how attorneys can best provide the information needed to obtain optimal results for clients.

What to do When the Parties, Like the PC and the Mac, are not Compatible and Don’t Talk to Each Other

Season 01 Episode 11                                            43:56

Mitch Tarighati, a seasoned mediator with an exceptional track record of settled cases, has been engaged in dispute resolution work since 2012, resolving cases with complex issues by diplomatically and patiently bridging the divide between the parties.  Join Len and Mitch as they discuss what to do when emotions dominate, parties see the other as the primary problem, or where no settlement is possible unless a personal reconciliation occurs.

Finding What May Be Lost in Translation in a Mediation

Season 01 Episode 10                                            34:03

Ana Sambold, a leading figure in California in alternative dispute resolution, is a fully bilingual Attorney, Mediator, and Arbitrator.  She has successfully conducted more than a thousand mediations and arbitrations involving complex cases in both English and Spanish.  In this episode, Len and Ana discuss approaches to overcoming impediments to resolution involving language or cultural influences.

Hitting the Right Rhythm in Mediation

Season 01 Episode 09                                           42:08

Michael Diliberto is an internationally recognized mediator and arbitrator, practicing full-time since 2003.  He is an expert at working with complex facts and legal issues, as well as in cross-cultural dynamics. You will not want to miss Michael's discussion with Len about how his widely varied background assists in creating value, helping attorneys help their clients, and the role of civility in the mediation process.

Gaining Trust as a Key to Resolution

Season 01 Episode 08                                           24:58

Judge Jacqueline Connor (Ret.) has gained a reputation for her ability to connect with parties on a straightforward and honest level.  Her vast legal knowledge and fearless approach have led to successful resolutions in the most difficult of cases.  In this episode, Judge Connor and Len discuss the role of the mediator, how mediators gain the trust of the parties and attorneys, and helping those in dispute to understand the trial process.

How to Transition to People’s Interests When the Discussion is About Money

Season 01 Episode 07                                           34:47

Lee Jay Berman became a full-time Los Angeles mediator 27 years ago.  He has since mediated over 2,500 cases and is an International Academy of Mediators’ Distinguished Fellow and a National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) Charter Diplomat.  In this discussion, Lee Jay and Len explore how to more effectively resolve disputes by changing the conversation and addressing issues other than money.

Striking a Balance Between Advocate and Counselor: A Guide to Effective Mediation Advocacy

Season 01 Episode 06                                           29:57

As one of the most effective mediators and professors of mediation, Stacie Feldman Hausner has impressed attorneys, their clients, and fellow mediators with her deep knowledge of the intricacies of the mediation process.  In this highly informative discussion, Stacie and Len share techniques used by the most effective attorneys to resolve matters while balancing the attorney’s dual role of strong advocate and counselor. 

Leave No Stone Unturned: The Value of Tenacity to the Mediation Process

Season 01 Episode 05                                           33:03

Daniel Ben-Zvi, a “Distinguished Fellow” with the International Academy of Mediators and named one of 32 “Power Mediators Worldwide” by The Hollywood Reporter, has mediated more than 3,000 matters in his 20 years as a litigator.  In his discussion with Len, Mr. Ben-Zvi provides insights to attorneys on how tenacity and zealous advocacy are most effectively utilized in the mediation process.

Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail: Coach Wooden and the Mediation Process

Season 01 Episode 04                                            31:32

Retired Judge Joe Hilberman, one of the most highly regarded mediators and arbitrators in the field, is known for his deep knowledge of the mediation process, as well as being creative and insightful.  Judge Hilberman provides his insights on how to effectively prepare for a mediation.  You will not want to miss this discussion.

Making Settlement Possible: Bringing Parties into a Bargaining Range

Season 01 Episode 03                                           29:00

Wendy Kramer, a full-time neutral on the ADR Services, Inc. panel of neutrals, is one of the most sought-after mediators with a reputation of being highly effective in bringing parties to resolution.  Wendy joins Len for an immensely informative discussion on how to bring the parties into a bargaining range, making settlement possible.  

Lessons from a Former Track Coach: Effectively Dealing with Polarized Parties

Season 01 Episode 02                                           34:38

Bob Friedenberg, a full-time Mediator and Arbitrator on the Panel of Neutrals of ADR Services, Inc., and a former litigator, educator, and track coach, joins Len to discuss what can be done to reach a resolution when the parties have issues between them that precludes any meaningful communication.  It's a discussion you will not want to miss.

Perspectives on Mediation

Season 01 Episode 01                                            25:30

Guest host Mark Alyn chats with Len Levy about the role of the mediator others in mediation, the value of mediation in attaining the parties’ goals by using resources wisely, and mediator selection based on background and style.  What considerations should go into a decision to mediate?  Tune in to find out.