back to Screen-Friendly page

Voluntary Early Mediation (VEM) Program

Choosing a Mediator

The parties agree that BASF will administer the case if this mediator is chosen. File the Mediation Consent form (43KB PDF) to initiate the process.

Robert M. Hirsch

Law Offices of Robert M. Hirsch


Areas of Experience: Labor, Employment, Commercial, Business, Civil Rights, ERISA, Real Estate, Securities, Contract, Legal Malpractice, Fee Disputes, Intra-Organizational Disputes

Bob Hirsch is a full time mediator and arbitrator based in San Francisco where he started practicing law in 1979. He has spent most of his professional career as a litigator and advocate, participating in mediations and other dispute resolution processes. Over the years, he has addressed matters ranging from labor and/or employment disputes to investment prudence; regulatory compliance to business controversies; discrimination claims to contract actions; real estate disputes to professional liability.

In all cases, Hirsch dedicates himself to working with the disputants in order to give all parties the best shot at crafting a resolution that is fair, practical and conclusive. He uses humor to temper intensity and intelligence to handle complexities. Mediation sessions are tailored to the parties' needs and issues. He currently serves on several permanent arbitration and/or mediation panels including the San Francisco Superior Court's Early Settlement Program; The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) Attorney Fee Dispute Panel; BASF's Mediation Services Roster; Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service; State Mediation & Conciliation Service, and several labor/management panels.

Prior to establishing his ADR Practice, Hirsch served as General Counsel to Mcmorgan & Company, a San Francisco investment management firm, for more than 11 years. There, he oversaw all legal affairs for the Company including litigation and Corporate Governance. He also served on the Company's Executive and Management Committees.

Before becoming General Counsel, he spent 14 years with the law firm of Van Bourg, Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld specializing in ERISA and Labor Law with a focus on litigation.

Hirsch received his law degree from the University of California at Davis in 1979. He continues to work with non-profit organizations in the fields of education and homelessness.

Hourly Rate: $350