”Doggedly Determined, ‘The Closer’ is a Natural as a Neutral.”
Los Angeles Daily Journal June 15, 2007 feature article on Mediator Robert J. Kaplan
Solution-Oriented Mediation
The bottom line in mediation is closure. As a full-time mediator, I am passionate about obtaining closure because I know from my 20 years as a litigator that the benefits of closure nearly always outweigh the financial, emotional, and other costs of going to trial.
Experience
I have a track record of resolving a wide array of Employment & Business cases, Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith cases, Legal Malpractice, Serious Injury & Death cases, Class Actions, Habitability & Mobile Home Park cases and a host of other complex, emotionally charged and high stakes disputes.
No Time is Wasted
Getting to closure often begins before we ever meet. On every mediation I do, I send you my ‘Orange Sheet’ (which is sent along with the paperwork sent by Judicate West confirming our mediation) -- the purpose of which is to ensure, as much as possible, that we avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications going into the mediation and to make sure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. The Orange Sheet also provides you with my cell number; and, I invite you to call me before the mediation if there is anything that you believe would be helpful for us to discuss beforehand. I will arrive at your mediation fully prepared, having read your briefs, ready to hit the ground running.
Creative Approaches
No matter how much money is at stake, the "human dynamic" is, in many instances, a crucial factor in settling a case; and, once that dynamic and any hidden issues are identified -- barriers to resolution are often eliminated. I am always on the lookout for creative solutions to circumvent roadblocks and for unique ways to resolve the dispute in a manner that avoids the enormous cost and risk of going to trial.
Persistence
When someone asks if I've gotten a case settled, you'll never hear me say "no." My answer is always either "yes" or "not yet." If a case does not settle at our initial session, you can be assured that I will not let go. I'll keep coming back and I'll keep probing for an opening, no matter how small, that will hopefully lead to the closure that everyone wants.
As one attorney interviewed for the Los Angeles Daily Journal article referenced at the top of this page, pointed out -- if Kaplan doesn't settle your case at the mediation "You will get calls and letters and e-mails and carrier pigeons, if necessary, to make you come to reason and resolution."
To check availability or schedule a mediation, please call Mr. Kaplan's case manager, Mark Kaufman at Judicate West: (619) 814-1966; toll-free (800) 488-8805.
