Mediator Resume

Practicing employment law for over 45 years representing both local and national employers and employees in individual and class action cases.

Strauss Law Group - Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Attorney, Strauss Law Group, 2020-Present; Principal, Strauss Law Group, APC, 2007-2020; Managing Partner, Strauss Uritz, APC, 1999-2007; Partner, Fairfield, McDonald, Strauss & Uritz, 1986-1999; Deputy District Attorney, County of Ventura, 1985; Assistant County Counsel, County of Ventura, 1977-1986.

Extensive experience in all aspects of employment law. Represented national chain stores, smaller employers and employees throughout California in employment litigation involving terminations, false imprisonment, whistleblowing, discrimination (race, sex, age, disability, religion, pregnancy), sexual harassment, wage and hour, defamation, liberty interests, workplace investigations, resume fraud, agricultural employees, OSHA compliance, child labor in entertainment, FMLA and CFRA compliance, DFEH and EEOC claims, investigations and hearings, California Wage Orders, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, exempt v. non-exempt, and other matters. Represented top executives, managers and rank-and-file employees of private and publicly traded companies involving contract, relocation, compensation, severance and terminations. Experience handling disability retirements, civil service, school district discipline and terminations as well as construction defect, mold and trade secret litigation. Class-action involvement has been both on the plaintiff and defendant sides involving classification of independent contractors, applicability of state v. federal law, commercial truck drivers, piece rate compensation, joint employment, meal and rest breaks, overtime, expense reimbursements, travel time, donning and doffing, PAGA and other wage and hour issues. Non-litigation including drafting employment contracts, handbooks and policies, and addressing legal and practical HR issues for clients on a daily basis.

Has been mediating for over 25 years. Serves as a court appointed mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court and has been both a court appointed mediator and arbitrator for the Ventura County Superior Court. Has been litigation counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants in +100 mediations.

My approach to mediating a dispute is a series of steps. I want to go into the mediation having evaluated the legal issues and the strengths and weaknesses of the respective legal case relying on the parties to thoroughly brief the issues prior to mediation. At the mediation, I focus on the interests at stake, i.e., what is this dispute all about. I have found that most disputes are not just about money, particularly in non-class employment cases. However, in all cases, I look for creative ways to balance all of the issues, whether they are legal, emotional and/or financial to facilitate a result acceptable to all concerned. When appropriate, I will remain engaged with the parties post mediation if there is a chance to get the matter resolved.

Tech savvy and able to conduct hearings by Zoom and similar platforms.

University of California, Hastings College of the Law (JD-1976); University of California (BA, History-1973). Conflict Management Institute (Mediation Certificate-2002); Hastings College of the Law (College of Trial Advocacy-1980).

Admitted to the Bar: California (1976); in all California Federal Courts; U.S. Court of Appeals: Ninth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court.

California Bar Association; California Lawyers Association; Labor & Employment Law Section; Ventura County Bar Association (current member and President 2009); Ventura Legal Services Program (President 2010); Ventura County Legal Aid, Inc. Board of Directors Executive Committee (current); Volunteer, Los Angeles Superior Court Resolve Law Program; Panel Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association.

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: $6,500.00 Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: No charge for travel within Ventura County. Otherwise travel is charged at $250 per hour.

English

United States of America

Ojai, California