Masters of Dispute Resolution

Season 06 Episode 10

Brad Bening is one of the most effective and well-regarded neutrals in Northern California, acting in the role of mediator as well as Special Master in cases which present unique challenges to case management and resolution. He has successfully mediated more than 2,000 cases with a success rate of more than 98 percent. In this episode, Brad tells the story of a conflict that arose initially in the context of a construction case brought against a wealthy socialite and her interior designer, and the effect that a sexual experience between them impacted on that case and its resolution in a mediation Brad conducted. How was he able to guide the parties to a settlement?

Season 06 Episode 09

Michael G. Balmages, Esq., is an accomplished mediator and discovery referee with extensive experience as a trial lawyer, general counsel, and transactional lawyer, and has resolved more than 1,000 cases as a mediator and neutral with ADR Services, Inc. In this episode, Michael tells the story of a dispute between two neighbors over a 20-foot piece of property owned by the purchasers of a large lot, which had been used by their neighbors for parking for almost half a decade. The new purchaser had no real use for the property, which contained a telephone pole and underground utilities, but refused to allow the neighbors to continue to use the land. How did the mechanics and limitations of the mediator’s proposal affect the resolution?

Season 06 Episode 08

Judge Vedica Puri (Ret.) has served as a trial lawyer, a partner in private practice, and a San Francisco Superior Court judge—experience that places her among the few neutrals who have sat in every seat that matters when cases are evaluated, tried, and resolved. In this episode of Masters of Dispute Resolution, Vedica Puri shares the story of a family torn apart in a dispute over business matters, unable to overcome the considerable cultural and generational impediments standing in their way to resolution without her impressive insights, trust-building, and mediation skills. How did she know when to push, when to pull back, and how to handle roadblocks without losing momentum?

Season 06 Episode 07

Jeff Trueman, Esq., is an experienced, full-time mediator and arbitrator. He helps parties resolve a wide variety of litigated and pre-suit disputes and interpersonal problems concerning catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, professional liability, toxic and environmental torts, employment, business dissolution, and real property. Jeff joins Len Levy to tell the story of a business relationship between two women who had been friends since high school and had been operating a very successful hair salon business. Their business and personal relationship had deteriorated due to a variety of factors, not the least of which was the involvement in the business of one of the women’s daughters. How did Jeff overcome the considerable barriers to resolving the dispute?

Season 06 Episode 06

Phyllis W. Cheng, Esq., has excelled at every stage of her career, and for nearly seven years was Director of the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the largest state civil rights agency in the United States. In this episode, Phyllis relates the story behind a dispute involving a recovering addict, her father, and the guru who had helped the daughter achieve sobriety in exchange for free rent in a mansion owned by the very wealthy father, who had no knowledge of either the daughter’s addiction or the arrangement with the guru. Although he had performed no addiction-related services for more than seven years and lived in the mansion rent-free during that time, the guru claimed he was owed wages. How was Phyllis Cheng able to assist the parties to reach resolution?