January 2025
A distinguished attorney, mediator, and thought leader, Myer has spent his career championing access to justice through thoughtful, human-centered dispute resolution.
With decades of experience in both litigation and mediation, Myer founded MCLA with a vision to provide affordable, high-quality mediation services to the greater Los Angeles community.
His leadership has shaped MCLA into a hub for fairness, empathy, and resolution, and his personal approach to mediation continues to inspire our entire panel.
What inspired you to become a mediator, or what inspired you to create MCLA?
I was drawn to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) because I felt I could get better results for my clients than by going to trial. That was the right decision for me. Mediation was less stressful and more personally rewarding by helping people settle disputes and, on some occasions, restore broken relationships between family members and business colleagues.
I was inspired to start MCLA in 2013 when the Court terminated its entire ADR program due to severe budget cuts. Another mediator, Milan Slama, and I approached Adam Grant of the SFVBA to support the creation of a non-profit organization that would provide low-cost, high-quality mediators to settle litigated disputes. Everything changed after we were awarded the contract with the LASC to provide online mediation in 2018.
Our mission to provide high-quality mediators at affordable costs was inspired by the tremendous need to fulfill the mission of the court—to provide access to justice to all and to provide a speedy, efficient, cost-effective resolution of the dispute.
What do you believe are the best practices for preparing for a mediation session?
Carefully evaluate your case and develop a theme… This will focus your attention first on your client’s needs and objectives. Then, the attorney must evaluate the opposing evidence and be prepared to respond.
A well-prepared lawyer should not miss a chance to settle the litigation on terms that are reasonable and fair for both parties. Settlement negotiations and mediation are not a one-off, all-or-nothing, one-day, either success or failure. It is a continuum from the start of the dispute to its final conclusion—there are many opportunities for optimal settlement.
“The most important way to build trust and rapport is to let them know you are prepared by understanding the facts and law of the case, but also I am interested in the emotional and personal stress that their clients are experiencing.”
What values guide you in your mediation practice, and how do they influence your work?
The primary value that guides me in my mediation practice is that I am committed to bringing all of my skills and experience over many years to assist the parties in resolving their dispute. My view is that it isn’t over until it’s over. Also, I believe in applying the highest ethical standards to my practice, starting with “Do No Harm.”
What do you hope the parties will take away from the mediation experience?
My biggest aspiration is that the parties, including both attorneys and clients, are satisfied that I did the best job possible and that I was instrumental in getting the case settled, particularly when no one thought it could be settled.