Alan Petlak, the mediator that gets results.

Alan, a mediator on Judicate West's exclusive mediation roster, provides creative solutions to the most complicated business disputes. He uses both a facilitative and evaluative approach to narrow the issues and focus the parties on settlement.

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Mediation – When is a Final Number a Final Number?

In a recent mediation, I was familiar with the negotiation styles of both attorneys because I had mediated with both previously. From the outset, plaintiff’s counsel indicated what he believed his client’s “final number” would be in settlement. As a mediator, I find it helpful to know the dollar amount for which the parties would like to settle. The question always becomes whether the parties will end up settling for their desired number. Read More

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again

In a recent mediation, the parties were only days away from a bench trial and remained hopelessly apart. Plaintiffs were holding on to their high seven-figure settlement demand. Plaintiff’s counsel knew that his clients did not have a case and asked for my help to bring his clients “back to reality.” Plaintiffs were asserting a misappropriation of a trade secret claim, yet, as a matter of law, the plaintiffs did not have a legally protected trade secret. I started the mediation with that fact and with the goal (set by counsel to both parties) of getting the parties to agree to a walk away. Read More

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Alan did a great job of bringing the parties together to settle a matter that I did not believe would settle.

Alan understood the legal issues from the get-go which allowed the parties to focus on resolving the matter instead of educating the mediator.

Alan put my client at ease and his calm demeanor and patience were instrumental in bringing about the settlement.

Alan brought up issues that I had not even focused upon which helped bring the parties together.

Alan, thank you for resolving this case. My client and I were both overjoyed with the result!

Alan blends legal insight with a practical business approach which my business clients appreciate.

I would definitely use Alan again particularly for my most difficult mediations.