Top best Mediation Lawyers in Irvine | 24 available

Recognized for her candor, compassion, and experience in family law, Ms. Writer has developed a successful family law practice built on her impeccable reputation and personal dedication to each client’s needs.. She chooses to focus her practice exclusively on the challenging area of family law, since this is one area of the law which lends itself well to creating and maintaining a close bond with each client. Since her firm handles a relatively small case load, you can be assured that you will receive personal service and direct communication from Ms. Writer in all aspects of your case. As a graduate of the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association, College of Trial Advocacy (2004) and a graduate of the prestigious Houston Family Law Trial Institute (2010), Ms. Writer is a skilled and experienced courtroom litigator and will present your case to the court in an articulate, passionate and credible manner. For clients who prefer mediation, Ms. Writer will work with both parties and gently guide them to an equitable resolution of all issues.. You will be in good hands with Ms. Writer and her team. In 2014, Ms. Writer was recognized by OC Metro Magazine as one of the top family law attorneys in Orange County. The same year her firm earned the highest rating (10.0) from the lawyer rating agency AVVO in the area of family law.. Ms. Writer has met the requirements and qualifications to be appointed Minor’s Counsel and is on the approved Minor’s Counsel list in Los Angeles County. In her role as Minor’s Counsel, Ms. Writer is the “voice of the child” in highly contested custody matters. Her education as Minor’s Counsel allows her to better serve the needs of her clients in all cases involving children.. A familiar face in the legal community, Ms. Writer currently serves on the Bridging The Gap and Education committees of the Orange County Bar Association. She is a lively speaker and has lectured on family law issues for numerous organizations, including the Orange County Bar Association, California State University, Long Beach, Lorman Seminars, and the Rancho Margarita Police Department.. Ms. Writer earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, and her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. She was sworn into the State Bar of California in 1998, and into the US District Court, Central District of California in 1999.. We offer a free consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help, so please contact us today.

Michael Balmages is an accomplished mediator, arbitrator, and discovery referee with ADR Services, Inc. As a neutral, he has had great success in helping litigants resolve their disputes in more than 1,000 cases. His friendly nature and ability to find common ground contribute to his easy rapport with litigants and their attorneys. At the same time, his determination to get cases settled is evident at each hearing.. Michael's mediation experience is supplemented by his broad experience as a civil litigator, corporate general counsel, and transactional attorney. He has tried over 75 cases, taken over 1,000 depositions, and negotiated and drafted more than 1,000 contracts. He has extensive experience with business entities, including the formation, dissolution, and merger of such entities and the negotiation and drafting of numerous contracts and deal documents. Michael has been rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell for over 35 years.. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, Michael Balmages conducts his hearings remotely via Zoom as a dedicated mediator, arbitrator, and discovery referee with ADR Services, Inc.. Michael's expansive career in law has its roots in Orange County, spanning an impressive 45+ years. His diverse experience has seen him represent plaintiffs and defendants across various business, real estate, and employment litigation phases. His legal journey included a significant tenure as the in-house General Counsel for Ocean Pacific Sunwear, Ltd., a global surf and beach apparel frontrunner during its heyday.. A proud alum of U.C. Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law (1972), Michael began his professional journey with Kindel & Anderson in their Orange County branch. He later established his firm in Tustin, pioneering in landlord-tenant and business litigation, with a particular flair for employment law. The evolution of his practice led to a merger with Corbett, Steelman & Davidson in 1984, furthering his specialization in employment matters.. Michael's commitment to mediation goes beyond his private practice. As a Certified Dispute Resolution Act Programs Mediator, he is also an esteemed member of mediation panels for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the Orange County Superior Court. Over his career, he has played a neutral role in over 1,500 cases, affirming his expertise.. In recognition of his unparalleled contributions, Michael was honored with a lifetime achievement award in 2020 by the Orange County Superior Court for his dedicated service on the court's Temporary Judge panel.. Beyond law, Michael's leadership is reflected in his active engagement within the Orange County community. Michael has been Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party, Orange County Chair of Tom Bradley for Governor, Orange County Chair of Feinstein for Governor, a Democratic candidate for State Senator, a Bobby Sox softball coach, and a Little League Coach. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Newport Theater Arts Center, on the Board of Directors of the California Age Group Wrestling Association, President of the Canyon Freestyle Wrestling Club, President of the Foothill Wrestling Club, and President of the Foothill High School Wrestling Boosters. Additionally, Michael is the head Astronomer for the Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.. Michael enjoys the proximity of his family. Together with his wife, Mary, he cherishes the joy of having their eight grandchildren nearby in North Tustin. Whether in courtroom mediation, on the sports field, or under the night sky, Michael Balmages, Esq. brings passion, dedication, and a wealth of experience to every endeavor.

I am a family law attorney and mediator.  I specialize in assisting couples settle their divorce cases out of court through my consensual dispute resolution processes, mediation and collaborative divorce.  I have over twenty years experience working with couples to resolve the issues in their divorce using my flat fee mediation programs.   I also work as a collaboartive attorney in cases where I collaborate with the couple and other professionals, including Child Specialists, Divorce Ccoaches, Marriage and Family Therapists and Financial Specialists.  My clients save money using a problem solving approach that allows them to make their own decisionw while avoiding expensive litigation. I also draft and negotiate prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for dividing retirement assets, and  post judgment modifications.

Gerald has been serving clients across a broad range of practice areas for over 25 years. He has extensive experience with conflict resolution, including in business, real estate, and divorce cases.  His focus is on providing high-quality, practical solutions while educating his clients about stress management. He brings his hands-on experience and his ability to turn conflict into conversation to each case. Gerald approaches legal disputes using his skills as an attorney, businessman, litigator, and mediator. Making sure that his clients are able to move forward with confidence and peace is his goal.

Cynthia S. Sandoval is a mediator who has extensive experience mediating employment law, civil rights and business dispute matters.  Ms. Sandoval has mediated complex matters, including class action and PAGA matters in addition to emotionally charged matters, such as sexual harassment claims.  What makes Ms. Sandoval unique is her experience as defense, plaintiff and in-house counsel, which enables her to better relate to all parties in the mediation process to work toward resolution.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.

Experienced Mediation attorney serving clients in Irvine and surrounding areas.