Biography
Before becoming a full-time mediator and arbitrator, Mike practiced employment law for over 20 years, representing both private employers (ranging from family-owned businesses to some of the world’s largest corporations) and public entities (cities, counties, school districts, and police departments). He draws upon over two decades of experience handling employment-related disputes and has worked with clients in virtually every industry, including financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, food and beverage, hospitality, retail, and construction. Mike has in-depth experience in virtually every facet of employment law and the various claims that may be asserted, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage-and-hour, class actions, collective actions, and Private Attorney General Act (PAGA) claims. Mike has negotiated settlements for thousands of matters, both in the mediation context and in direct negotiations with attorneys and parties.
As a practicing attorney, Mike was lauded by clients for his practical and creative counsel, and his calm and easy-going demeanor. He was equally comfortable and effective communicating with in-house attorneys, company executives, insurance adjusters, and minimum-wage workers. At the same time, Mike was also highly regarded by opposing attorneys for his legal acumen, integrity, fairness, and collegiality, even while zealously advocating for his clients. Indeed, on multiple occasions, opposing attorneys later referred businesses to Mike for possible representation.
As a mediator, Mike brings to the table the same qualities that made him such a successful attorney: a deep understanding of both substantive and procedural law, diligent preparation, outside-of-the-box thinking, a deeply-held sense of fairness, strong communication skills, and determination to see a matter through to the end.
Mike’s first foray into serving as a mediator occurred in 2013, as a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s Employment Law Civil Referee Assisted Settlement Hearings (CRASH) program. In this program, Mike partnered with other experienced employment attorneys to resolve employment lawsuits. His success settling cases in this program planted the seed for Mike to become a full-time mediator.
Currently, Mike is on the United States District Court, Central District of California mediation panel. He also serves as a volunteer settlement officer for the Los Angeles County Superior Court’s ResolveLaw LA Mandatory Settlement Conference Program. Mike also has undergone extensive training in the area of mediation and negotiation.
Mike is also on the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators, through which he serves as a neutral arbitrator to adjudicate employment and consumer matters.
Professional Experience
American Arbitration Association, National Roster of Arbitrators, November 2023 - Present
United States District Court, Central District of California, Mediation Panel, July 2023 - Present
Mandel Mediation, Private Mediator, January 2023 - Present
Settlement Officer, Resolve Law LA, Mandatory Settlement Conference Program, 2022 - Present
Senior Litigation and Employment Counsel, California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., 2020-2021
Partner, McGuireWoods LLP, 2010-2019
Settlement Officer, Los Angeles County Superior Court Civil Referee Assisted Settlement Hearings (CRASH) Program, 2013-2014
Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 2009-2010
Associate, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 2004-2009
Associate, Kohrs & Fiske, 2001-2004
Full-time Judicial Extern, United States District Court Judge Ronald S.W. Lew, Los Angeles, 2000-2001
Education
Pepperdine University School of Law, magna cum laude, 2001; member of the Pepperdine Law Review
UC Irvine, B.A. with honors, 1997
Professional Organizations and Training
Orange County Human Relations, Mediation Training
American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law and Dispute Resolution Sections
California Lawyers Association, Labor and Employment Law and Litigation Sections
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law and Litigation Sections
Awards and Recognition
Named to "Southern California Super Lawyers," Employment & Labor, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2013-2019
Named to "Southern California Rising Stars," Employment & Labor, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2011-2012
In 2017, member of a 10-person nationwide panel of employment attorneys (five plaintiff lawyers and five defense lawyers) who worked with members of the federal judiciary to develop initial discovery protocols for cases under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The Federal Judiciary Center adopted the protocols in 2018, and many federal courts throughout the country now use them. In 2019, the American Arbitration Association adopted similar protocols, modeled on the ones that I helped draft.
