William J. O'Connor - ADR Services

Services Offered

 As a court-appointed mediator and as Commissioner/Judge, I have conducted hundreds of settlement conferences, mediations, neutral evaluations, arbitrations and actual trials. This has afforded me tremendous opportunity to evaluate parties, personalities, the true nature of the dispute, its value and eventual outcome. I have been retained by private counsel and have handled many Personal Injury cases, Construction and Real Estate matters and Business disputes. More recently, I have conducted mediations in Probate, Wills, Trusts and Conservator contests.

 I do not limit my approach to specific techniques often described as Transformational or Evaluative or Directive. Individual cases, the needs and personalities of parties and the dynamics of the mediation require flexibility. Patience and respect, understanding of the subject matter, and willingness to let the parties shape the outcome are important. When appropriate, I will be more evaluative and directive, if it is in the best interests of all.

I charge $300.00 per hour. No administrative fees and no more than 1 hour travel time charged in the Bay Area. These charges are shared equally by all parties, unless agreed otherwise at the Mediation.

If required to travel outside the Bay Area, actual travel time and expenses are negotiable.  A mutually shared deposit based upon the estimated length of the mediation is required in advance.

 I conduct an initial organizational phone conference call (except in Arbitration matters, which are handled more as a Court Trial with the same rules of ex-parte contact as apply to trial); and also a private confidential, pre-mediation conference call to prepare myself and counsel to learn more about the needs of the parties. This has proven to be extremely productive. In litigated cases, I also look for a simple letter or e-mail brief describing the legal and procedural issues. 

I have complete Mediation Facilities with multiple offices and secretarial support services and break out rooms with phones that are location in Marin County near the Superior Court, close to freeway access. These are charged at an additional $25.00 per hour and are shared equally by the parties. However,  location of the mediation can be anywhere convenient to the parties.