In the past fifteen years, the Bar Association of San Francisco’s (BASF) Bay Area Mediation Services matched hundreds of cases with experienced mediators who get results. Two-thirds of BASF mediations end in settlement, and parties report a stunning 99 percent satisfaction rate. It is no wonder that well over half the time, attorneys return to the program with their next cases. BASF is committed to continuing to provide this high-quality mediation service so that both the legal community and the public can rely on an affordable, effective, and constructive process for resolving disputes and improving understanding.
The Bay Area Mediation Services Program—originally called the Voluntary Mediation Program—was established in 2003 in response to requests from local attorneys for an association-sponsored program as an alternative to more costly, judge-led mediation services. At the time too, mediation was increasingly encouraged by the courts and was becoming an integrated component of the civil litigation process, so more litigants began turning to BASF for help.
Today, pre-screened qualified mediators with expertise in over thirty areas of law are available Bay Area-wide. A fast and easy administrative process takes care of logistics, including reserving conference space at BASF. The program has handled matters ranging from homeowners’ association disputes to intellectual property/copyright infringement, and from matters involving individual unrepresented parties to multi-party issues with counsel from several large firms.
Those who serve as mediators with the program have long welcomed a respected organization to associate with, and the San Francisco Superior Court lists BASF’s program as one of its recommended ADR options. In addition, BASF’s mediation program was included in The Recorder’s Hall of Fame after being voted a top mediation services provider for five years in a row.
The profiles of over fifty BASF mediators are listed on the BASF website, with mediator photographs, biographies, and rates. You can search by name, area of practice, or geographic location within the San Francisco Bay Area.
Parties pay a low administration fee and fill out one simple mediation consent form to get started. They may request a specific mediator or ask knowledgeable BASF staff to assist with selection.
BASF mediators provide one hour of preparation and the first two hours of mediation time at no charge. Of course, a matter is not limited to two hours; mediations have ranged from a few hours to sessions stretching over several days. The time beyond the first two hours is charged at the mediator’s hourly rate.
And finally, the service is not limited to San Francisco cases or residents, and can be used whether or not the dispute involves a court case.
So, next time you are looking for a mediator, remember that BASF’s Bay Area Mediation Services is here to offer professional, experienced mediators and incredible value.
Learn more here: www.sfbar.org/mediation.
Marilyn King is the Alternative Dispute Resolution Services Manager at the Bar Association of San Francisco. She coordinates the Mediation Services Program and the Early Settlement Program.
