Contact Steve Watring

Steve’s mediation specialty is resolution of employment and business disputes. He is an Ohio State Bar Association certified specialist in labor and employment law with 35 years of legal experience. Steve has been called upon by attorneys and parties throughout the state to serve as a private mediator in cases involving all of the following:

Types of Claims: FLSA/Wage-Hour, FMLA, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, Tortious Interference, Trade Secret Misappropriation, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Deceptive Trade Practices, Civil RICO, Defamation, Evidence Spoliation, Workplace Injuries, Premises Liability, Breach of Contract, Negligence and Injunctive Relief.

Types of Parties: Single and Multi-Plaintiff, Single and Multi-Defendant, Third and Fourth Party Defendants, Multi-Case, Multi-Attorney. Class Actions and FLSA Collective Actions.

Case Forums: Federal Court, State Court, Arbitration and Pre-Litigation.

Claims Against: Fortune 100 Companies, Medium and Small Employers, Non-Profits, Governmental Entities, Insured, Uninsured and Partially Insured Claims.

Industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Service, Professional, Construction and Government.

Steve received his initial formal mediation training from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. Thereafter, Steve received specialized mediation training on Resolving Workplace Disputes through Mediation at Lipscomb University in conjunction with Straus and Pepperdine. Straus and Pepperdine have been consistently rated as the top mediation training provider in the nation for over a decade. In addition to serving as a mediator, Steve has practiced law at the Dayton, Ohio law firm of Auman, Mahan & Furry for the last 30 years as a partner in its labor and employment law group. An OSBA certified specialist in labor and employment law, he maintains a Preeminent (AV) rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by the Dayton Business Journal as one of the best employment lawyers in the Dayton area.

Steve’s mediation specialty is resolution of employment and business disputes. He is an Ohio State Bar Association certified specialist in labor and employment law with 35 years of legal experience. Steve has been called upon by attorneys and parties throughout the state to serve as a private mediator in a wide variety of employment-related claims including FLSA/Wage-Hour, FMLA, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Retaliation, Tortious Interference, Trade Secret Misappropriation, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Deceptive Trade Practices, Civil RICO, Defamation, Evidence Spoliation, Workplace Injuries, Premises Liability, Breach of Contract, Negligence and Injunctive Relief.

Wright State University (cum laude, 1977)

University of Dayton School of Law (magna cum laude, 1981)

Mediation@Work was formed because we know how important mediation is to you! Our formula for success is simple.

Trained and Experienced Mediators - We have committed the time necessary to become better mediators by undergoing professional mediation training at some of the best and most respected training programs offered in the United States. While our mediators each have over 35 years of litigation experience, we recognize that being a good mediator requires a different skill set than being a good attorney.

Subject Matter Expertise - We are called Mediation@Work because we focus on mediation of the kinds of workplace disputes that we know best. We believe that a familiarity with the law involved in the dispute can be critical in understanding the dispute and helping the parties develop creative solutions. As mediators, we bring our expertise to the table to help resolve your disputes.

Preparation - We pride ourselves in being prepared. We try to “hit the ground running” to maximize productivity and efficiency on the day of mediation.

Flexibility - The mediation is not about us and what we want. It is about the parties. Every case is different, and we have the flexibility to adjust to the specific needs of each case. Depending on the schedules and needs of the participants, we make ourselves available for mediation on short notice—within weeks rather than months. While we make suggestions to facilitate the mediation process, you decide what to submit in advance of the mediation.

For the convenience of the parties and their counsel, we offer a variety of fee arrangements designed to suit your needs. See our website or contact us for details.

Complimentary Pre-Mediation Consultation - If you would like to talk to us about your case to get our thoughts on mediation, send us an email or give us a call. There is no cost or obligation unless and until the parties or their counsel decide to retain us.

Post-Mediation Day Follow Up - Sometimes, for whatever reason, the parties reach an impasse on the day of the formal mediation session. This does not mean the case is not going to settle. It just means the case is not going to settle that day! If it is justified by the circumstances and everyone consents, we will keep the mediation open after the formal mediation session and periodically follow up with emails/phone calls to see if we can be of further service. We do not charge for mediator-initiated follow ups unless the parties take further advantage of our services and eventually reach settlement.

Hourly Fee - Unless otherwise arranged, most mediations are conducted at an hourly rate agreed to in advance. In the event of cancellation, there is no fee other than for the time actually incurred. For mediation sessions involving a full day or more, we do not charge travel time anywhere within the state of Ohio. We offer a reduced rate for mediations in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Flat Fee - For budgeting purposes, some parties prefer a flat fee. With that in mind, we offer flat fee options for full day and half-day mediations.

Volunteer Mediation Services – Steve strongly believes in freely giving back to the community where he lives and works. Sometimes resolution of a dispute is important to our community and not just to the parties. If we can be of service in resolving these disputes, our doors are open. To qualify, at least one community leader, judge or government official that is not affiliated with a party to the dispute must join in the request for our assistance. Please feel free to contact us for details.