Episodes

  • Good Deeds

    Good Deeds
    Nov 29 2025
    Season 06 Episode 01
    For over 27 years, Lee Mendelson, Esq. has been at the forefront of civil litigation, advocating for clients in high-stakes disputes across a broad spectrum of legal matters and seeking to achieve resolution outside the courtroom—not through contentious trials, but through the art of negotiation. In this episode, Lee and Len discuss mediation of a dispute between a property owner and the property manager she employed over his alleged responsibility for damage to property the owner had inherited from her mother. Overcoming seemingly intractable positions was key to reaching a resolution. How was Lee able to help the parties not only resolve the litigated matter but also achieve something even more satisfying?
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    51 mins
  • Neighbors

    Neighbors
    Sep 6 2025
    Season 05 Episode 12
    Lee Jay Berman became a full-time Los Angeles mediator 30 years ago and has since mediated over 3,000 cases. He is an International Academy of Mediators’ Distinguished Fellow and a National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) Charter Diplomate. In this episode, Lee Jay and Len discuss an escalating dispute between neighbors, owners of adjoining beach properties, which had devolved into issues and behaviors unrelated to the initial problem. Listen to one of the thought leaders in mediation, to whom other mediators have looked for guidance on how to change the dialogue of dispute into effective, problem-solving communication.
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    1 hr
  • Bullies

    Bullies
    Aug 12 2025
    Season 05 Episode 11
    Raphael Lapin brings an extensive and unique background to his practice as a mediator. He has not only mediated more than 1,000 litigated disputes, but he has also mediated across a variety of sectors, and taught conflict resolution at Southwestern Law School and Whittier Law School. In this episode, Raphael talks about a multi-party dispute involving a school district, three teenage girls, and their parents, arising from a bullying incident in which two of the girls physically attacked another girl as they participated in a school sports event, inflicting physical and emotional injuries. Resolution of the dispute resulted from the atypical approach employed by Mr. Lapin. What was that approach, and how was it implemented?
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    43 mins
  • A Stolen Life

    A Stolen Life
    Jul 13 2025
    Season 05 Episode 10
    Now a member of the ADR Services, Inc. panel of neutrals, Debra Bogaards served as a private mediator for over six years, as well as a mandatory settlement conference officer in San Francisco for over five years and in Marin County for almost 30 years. In this session, Debra and Len discuss the mediation of a matter involving child molestation of both the victim and the molester’s daughter, also a victim of molestation, and the process of dealing with the considerable emotional impact of the molestation in reaching a resolution.
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    47 mins
  • It’s Not My Dog

    It’s Not My Dog
    Jun 12 2025
    Season 05 Episode 09
    Drawing upon a career spanning over four decades as both a mediator and trial lawyer, Mark D. Kramer, Esq., utilizes his extensive experience to assist parties in resolving disputes, bringing invaluable expertise to the mediation field. In addition to his litigation and trial expertise, Mr. Kramer distinguishes himself through his extensive mediation experience. In this episode, Mark and Len discuss the mediation of a case involving extensive facial injuries after a dog bite. Who owned the dog? What insurance would cover the injuries? How did Mark help the parties address these questions and others to achieve a resolution? Listen and enjoy.
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    44 mins
  • A Roof Leak

    A Roof Leak
    May 31 2025
    Season 05 Episode 08
    Steven Abern, Esq., brings unparalleled expertise to ADR Services, Inc. His extensive legal career spans 34 years, during which he served as the Managing Partner at Haapala, Thompson & Abern, one of the preeminent insurance defense firms in the Bay Area. In this episode, Steve tells the story of a dispute between a long-term tenant and a landlord who had recently purchased a four-unit apartment building. Heavy rain had caused the collapse of the ceiling in the tenant’s apartment and extensive water damage, which required the tenant to vacate the unit. The tenant’s attempt to obtain compensation was met by threats from the property manager, unbeknownst to the landlord. Tune in to discover how Steve was able to overcome significant obstacles and guide the parties to resolution.
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    42 mins
  • Tough as Nails

    Tough as Nails
    May 16 2025
    Season 05 Episode 07
    Peter Linn, Esq. is a seasoned mediator and litigator with nearly three decades of expertise in the Bay Area legal landscape. In this episode, Peter tells the story of a dispute between competing businesses, two nail salons, one of which was owned by former employees of the other, who “poached” the employees of their former employer and opened its doors across the street. How did Peter help the parties overcome a highly emotional business situation with issues ranging from wage and hour, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, and others, with each side seeking affirmative relief?
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    47 mins
  • The Horse Whisperer’s Eviction

    The Horse Whisperer’s Eviction
    Apr 24 2025
    Season 05 Episode 06
    Geri Green, Esq. is a full-time mediator and discovery referee. Her straightforward approach and open-minded pragmatism generate the trust necessary for litigants to entertain the possibility of resolution and arrive at solutions. In this episode, Geri shares the story of a family, still dealing with the emotional trauma of their father’s death, being sued by their tenant, an equine psychologist and long-time friend, for habitability issues arising from the rental. Friendship, grief, hurt feelings, legal rights, and insurance issues presented formidable obstacles to resolution. Learn how this master mediator helped the parties embrace a satisfying solution and put the dispute behind them.
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    48 mins