You keep control
The parties shape the outcome instead of leaving it to a judge or jury.
When partners, co-founders, or shareholders fall out, a lawsuit is rarely the answer. Litigation is public, slow, and expensive — and it can destroy the very thing you're fighting over. Mediation gives you a private, faster, and far cheaper way to settle the dispute and, where possible, keep the business intact.
At Trials & Tech, Chris Waters serves as a neutral mediator — he doesn't represent either side. His job is to help everyone at the table understand their options and reach an agreement they can live with. With 25 years of legal experience and real trial work, Chris can read each side's position and pressure-test it against how it would actually play out in court.
Instead of arguing your case to a judge, the parties sit down — in person or over Zoom — with an impartial mediator who guides the conversation toward resolution. The mediator doesn't impose a result; the parties craft their own. Everything stays confidential, which matters when customers, investors, employees, and competitors are watching.
The parties shape the outcome instead of leaving it to a judge or jury.
No public court filings airing your finances or your dispute.
A contested business case can take one to three years to reach trial; mediation often resolves in a session or a few.
Litigation routinely runs into tens of thousands of dollars per side. Mediation is a fraction of that — $250/hour, typically shared by the parties, with the first 30-minute consultation free.
Partners and co-founders who mediate can often keep working together — or part ways cleanly — instead of burning the company down in court.
Sessions by Zoom, phone, or in person, anywhere in Southern California.
Many business and operating agreements require arbitration. Chris can also serve as a neutral arbitrator — hearing each side's evidence and making the final determination, binding or non-binding depending on what your agreement provides. In California, arbitration generally follows California discovery rules, with the scope set at the outset. Arbitration hearing days are $2,000/day, with preparation at $250/hour.
We talk through the dispute and whether mediation fits.
If it's a fit, we begin.
In person, by Zoom, or by phone, as many as the matter needs.
The terms are documented in a written settlement agreement.
Because the mediator is neutral, each party is encouraged to have the agreement reviewed by their own attorney before signing.
A neutral who knows the courtroom — 25 years of experience and real trial work. Transparent pricing and online booking. Online or in person, anywhere in Southern California. Mediation or arbitration, including under your contract's clause.
Sometimes yes — many disputes are resolved with the business intact. When the relationship can't continue, mediation still produces a cleaner, faster, less costly separation than litigation.
Nothing is binding until the parties sign an agreement — then it is. If you arbitrate instead, the arbitrator makes the final determination; binding or non-binding is set by your agreement.
The mediator is neutral and doesn't advise either side. You're welcome to have your own counsel involved or review the agreement before signing — it still costs far less than litigating.
Mediation is $250/hour (typically shared by the parties); arbitration hearing days are $2,000/day plus $250/hour for preparation; the first 30-minute consultation is free.
Yes. Mediation and private arbitration keep your dispute and your finances out of the public record.
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Book your free 30-minute consultation, or call (888) 983-9097. Let's find the faster, more private way through your dispute.
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