Mediation

Ruth's Approach
A practical and empathetic approach to analyzing disputes is the hallmark of Ruth's mediation practice. Through her extensive professional experience and educational background, she understands that a majority of workplace and commercial disputes stem from difficulties in interpersonal communication, divergent opinions as to expectations and responsibilities, and at times, complex personality conflicts. While there are some disputes that will result in intractable litigation, Ruth encourages parties to evaluate disputes early on with an eye toward settlement, given the statistical probability that a high percentage of litigation settles before trial, but often at a very high economic and emotional cost.

Ruth has successfully mediated many disputes, including both threatened and pending litigation, in a variety of employment-related and commercial cases. She has a high success rate and has received enthusiastic recommendations from both the plaintiff's and defense bar.

Client Evaluations of Ruth's Mediation Style
Ruth is listed with the web-based rating service, www.positivelyneutral.com, where parties may review (without charge) evaluations and ratings by attorneys who have used her mediation services. The client evaluations are unanimous in concluding that they would use Ruth's services again if the need arose.

Client Comments*

• "I believe the parties made the correct choice in selecting you to serve as Mediator in this difficult matter. Without a doubt, you made a significant contribution to the resolution of the dispute."
• "You were able to help [my client] feel heard, and help her feel that what happened to her and others [at company] was (finally) being taken seriously. It is because of the tenacity, skill, and humor that you brought to the table as a former employment litigator-turned-neutral that [my client] decided it was time for closure."
• “Thank you very much for all of the talent, skill, and patience that you brought to bear in the successful effort to settle this matter. Your ability to make both sides recognize the various serious and significant risks they would take by going to trial, to keep everyone focused on the important issues, and most important, to move the sides to compromise was, I believe, the essential ingredient in enabling the successful result.”

Representative Cases*

• Pregnancy discrimination claim in financial services industry
• Gender and harassment claims against law firms
• Pregnancy discrimination claim in media company
• Race/age/retaliation claim against pharmaceutical manufacturer
• National origin claim against hotel
• State court race/religion/sexual harassment case against non-profit organization
• Federal court discrimination claim of private university professor
• Federal court age discrimination claim against publishing company
• Various claims of sexual harassment by employees of securities broker/dealers
• Internal claim of religion/race discrimination by supervisor at a commercial bank
• Federal court disability discrimination claim against major retail department store
• Threatened sex harassment claim against garment manufacturer
• Breach of employment contract claim by physician against hospital group
• Compensation and commissions dispute between salesperson and car dealership
• Dispute arising under requirements contract between commercial laundry and restaurant
• Shareholder dispute in construction industry

*Prior results do not guarantee a similiar outcome.