FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I have a standard Mediation Fee Schedule that includes half-day and full-day rates, extra time hourly rates, administrative fees, and other details. Half-day rate is $3,600, and generally includes 5 hours of time covering preparation, a 4-hour session, and reasonable follow-up. Full-day rate is $5,500, and generally includes 10 hours of time covering preparation, an 8-hour session, and reasonable follow-up. Full-day rate for mediations with more than three (3) parties is $7,500. Fees are typically split evenly by the parties. Administrative fee is $225 per party. The administrative fee is WAIVED for videoconference mediations.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Parties must agree on the mediator. On my website, under the Scheduling tab, you can find my availability and reserve a date and time that is mutually agreeable to all participants in the mediation. I am currently conducting mediations by Zoom videoconference, which is easy and convenient. I can walk you through the process if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the technology. I require personal participation at the mediation of all parties necessary and authorized to reach a full resolution of the dispute. I typically request a written mediation statement a week before the session, and usually conduct separate pre-mediation telephone calls with the attorneys or unrepresented parties shortly before the mediation. We discuss the parties' expectations about the mediation session and work to design a custom process most likely to lead to settlement.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
LEGAL AND ADR EXPERIENCE 2016 – present Professional mediator/judge, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris, France. Invited for 2019. Co-coached Loyola Law School Mediation Team for 2019 and 2020 Competitions. 1999 – Present Mediator, Conflict Management Consultant, Negotiation Advisor, and Arbitrator (over 280 hours of continuing mediation and arbitration education and training) 2010 – Present Principal, Sotomayor Law – Mediator, Conflict Resolution Consultant, Negotiation Advisor, Attorney, and Arbitrator 2015 – Present Panel Mediator, California Association of Realtors, Mediation Center for Consumers 2013 – Present Panel Mediator, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California 2014 – 2017 Panel Mediator, Community Associations Institute – Greater Los Angeles Chapter 2004 – 2013 Mediator and Arbitrator, Los Angeles County Superior Court 2008 – 2010 Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP (following merger with Bannan, Frank & Terzian) – Partner in 85-attorney business & litigation law firm 1996 – 2008 Bannan, Frank & Terzian, LLP - Of Counsel & Partner in 12-attorney litigation law firm 1983 – 1996 Adams, Duque & Hazeltine - Associate & Of Counsel in 100-attorney business & litigation law firm INDUSTRY RECOGNITION • Fellow, International Academy of Mediators (invitation-only organization whose members adhere to the highest practice and ethical standards) • Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals • Selected to elite international working group on training over 130 international mediators to judge and mediate the 2018 ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris, France • Selected as one of five judges for the Final Competition Match at the 2018 ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition • Selected for the 2017-2020 Southern California Super Lawyers lists in Alternative Dispute Resolution • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating (Peer-Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence) • Named a Top Attorney by Pasadena Magazine, 2016-2020 EDUCATION 1983 – J.D., Washington University in St. Louis; Notes and Comments Editor, Washington University Law Quarterly 1980 – B.A., Duke University, Magna Cum Laude PUBLICATIONS • Los Angeles Daily Journal Profile - April 10, 2020 • “The best worst thing to happen to California lawyers in 2019 - Disclosure to Clients of Mediation Confidentiality under Evidence Code Section 1129 Requires A Written Disclosure to Clients before Mediation,” Advocate, August 2019 • “Notre Dame and the forces in mediation,” Los Angeles Daily Journal, April 18, 2019 • “Transforming a Mediation into a Positive Outcome for All Parties,” Los Angeles Lawyer, July/August 2017 • “Effective Mediation Briefs,” California Lawyer, August 2014 • “Practical Advice for Getting Results in Business Mediation,” Big News for Solo & Small Firms (CA State Bar), Summer 2014 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS • Culture and Implicit Bias – Strategies to Improve Practice in Mediation and Beyond. Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, January 2019. Giovanniello Law Group, March 2019. • Cross-Cultural Issues In Mediation: What Is Culture, Does It Affect Negotiations in Mediation, and How Can We Use It to Improve the Mediation Process and the Outcome? Western San Bernardino County Bar Association, September 2018 . • Mediation Basics: What, When, Who, & How? New Attorney Academy, Riverside County Bar Association & Riverside County Superior Court, February 2018 • Panel trainer of 130+ mediators from over 30 countries in judging and mediating at the 13th International Chamber of Commerce Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris, France, February 2018. • Is Mediation Confidentiality Important To You? A Discussion of California’s Proposed Exception for Alleged Attorney Malpractice, Pasadena Bar Association, December 2017. • Cross-Cultural Issues in Mediation: What Is Culture, Does It Affect Negotiation in Mediation, and How Can Mediators Use It to Improve the Process and the Outcome? – ADR Program, U.S. District Court (C.D. Cal.) (MCLE), November 2017. • How to Succeed in Mediation 2017 – MCLE presentation for the San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, November 2017. • Real World Mediation Problems with Cross-Cultural Barriers – Guest lecturer in Loyola Law School class, Cross-Border & Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution, October 2017. • Transformative Moments in Commercial Mediation – Techniques for Success – Presented MCLE Workshop at the Southern California Mediation Association’s 29th Annual Fall Conference, October 2017. • Business Foundations: Conflict Consciousness, Mediation Mentality, & Resourceful Resolution – Guest Lecturer in undergraduate business class on Interpersonal Competence, Influence, & Development, March 2017. • “THEORY of MED-ARB & ARB-MED: Why? Where? When?” International panel presentation as part of program entitled “MED-ARB/ARB-MED: MAKING DISPUTE RESOLUTION FASTER, CHEAPER, BETTER,” at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), Toronto Chapter’s Fall 2016 Symposium. • Navigating Family and Divorce Issues in Psychotherapy, 2016. Panel presentation for marriage and family therapists to better understand their clients’ experiences facing divorce, other family conflicts, mediation, legal processes, financial issues, and obstacles to decision-making. California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, San Gabriel Valley Chapter. • Resolution – What Happens When A Family Decides to Dissolve? – Guest Lecturer for undergraduate Psychology class in Divorce at California State University, Los Angeles, 2016. • How to Succeed in Mediation, 2016. Presented MCLE program addressing issues including when to mediate, choosing a mediator, preparing for mediation, mediation confidentiality, joint sessions, dealing with unrepresented parties, mediator’s proposals, and handling negotiations when cases do not resolve in mediation. • Elder Care Planning Community Seminar, Arcadia, CA, 2016. Contributed discussion about mediation for families confronting conflict on issues of elder care, estate planning, and distribution of assets under wills and trusts. • Keeping Negotiations on Track – How to Manage Conflicts before Claims Arise, for Real Estate Professionals, 2015. Presented program on negotiating techniques to de-escalate conflict and create win-win deals; dealing with difficult personalities; handling emotions in negotiation; techniques to save a deal and lead to more referrals. • Mediation Basics, 2015. Presenter & Moderator, San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce Legal Education Forum. • Mediation Q & A, 2014. Presenter, San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce Legal Education Forum. • Negotiation Tactics: “Puffing” vs. Misrepresentation in Mediation, 2014. Presenter, The Esquire Network • What Is Mediation? Presenter, West Los Angeles Chamber Legal Education Panel, 2014. COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MEDIATION TRAINING: 1. March 8-12, 1999, 30 hours, DRS (LA County Bar Ass’n), 30 Hour Basic Mediation Training 2. October 28, 2004, 8 hours, AAA, Advanced Mediation Skills 3. November 6, 2004, 8 hours, Southern California Mediation Ass’n, Fall Conference, various mediation classes 4. December 17, 2008, 3 hours, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Ethical Quandaries for Court-Connected Mediators 5. October 12-13, 2011, 14 hours, American Institute of Mediation, Mediation classes 6. February 26, 2013, 2 hours, Southern California Mediation Ass’n, High Conflict Mediation – 4 Tips for Mediators 7. March 9, 2013, Ventura County Bar Ass’n, 4 hours, Mediation Conference: Conflict Resolution in the 21st Century 8. March 14-16, 2013, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, 18 hours, Advanced Mediation: Skills and Tehniques, with Nina Meierding and Bruce Edwards 9. April 24, 2013, Southern California Mediation Association, 2.5 hours, 2013 Real Estate Institute 10. August 16, 2013, U.S. District Cour