What Our Clients Say . . . Securities / Breach of Contract and Fiduciary Duty “Having been a party to a very hotly-contested Federal Court lawsuit in the Northern District of California, I can speak with some authority as to the mediation skills of Jack Skelton of the Litigation Solutions Law Group. “In our very difficult situation, hostile, antagonistic defendants, plaintiffs and attorneys were scattered across six states. Not one of the parties, to my knowledge, had any desire to introduce the expense of a mediator into what had already become extremely expensive and burdensome legal proceedings. “At the Court’s insistence, however, Jack Skelton waded into the mess to assist us in settling the suit before it reached the courtroom for what had been predicted to be a very long and difficult trial. Over the course of three very contentious months, Jack kept tough negotiations moving forward in the direction of a settlement. “He juggled egos, difficult personalities and troublesome interpersonal conflicts, and pushed us to always look past the immediate aggravation toward ‘the prize’ — a settlement acceptable to all parties. “Jack was tough and serious, yet always pleasant to work with. Without a doubt, this lawsuit would never have reached a settlement without the involvement of Jack Skelton. Contrary to our initial beliefs — that his services would be an unnecessary additional cost — I can truly state that Jack Skelton actually saved the defendants and the plaintiffs a great deal of money, time and aggravation through his skillful negotiation of a settlement of this lawsuit before it reached the trial stage.”
Multiple Claims / Multiple Jurisdictions Dear Judge: “. . . By selecting a very superior mediator, the Court was saved eons of time. The purpose of this letter is to emphasize to the Court what an excellent choice of mediators was made. . . . “This letter will not be long enough to express the extreme amount of time and energy, not to mention consummate skill, that Mr. Skelton brought to bear in the circumstances. The result is a settlement agreed to by all sides, and a complete, global resolution which leaves no loose ends. . . .” Jane Z. Hinsdale Racial Discrimination / Profiling “This is to thank you for your mediation efforts in connection with the matter involving our client who was not allowed to board an airline flight because of what he perceived to be racial and religious discrimination. “Our client, as an American Sikh, felt very strongly that no one in these United States should be subjected to discrimination on the basis of their race and/or religion and was determined to play his part in prosecuting an action against a major airline. He believed that constitutional and civil rights extend to all and cannot be suppressed based on an airline pilot’s stereotypical attitude towards passengers who appeared Middle Eastern. “The mediation process required several sessions and you very patiently considered his concerns and handled the matter most sensitively. The result was that you built trust with the client and were able to achieve a resolution that satisfied our client’s goals of preventing future discrimination against passengers such as he. “Thank you again for all your hard work and we look forward to working with you on other matters.” Javed Ellahie Wrongful Death (Murder-Suicide) / Probate / ERISA “I can't thank you enough for all of your efforts in connection with the resolution of this case and the related matters. I am now a firm believer in the mediation process. “Your efforts are the reason my client is now in the position to have closure, not only with the California matter, but for all the other related matters you were willing to negotiate between the parties. I really don’t want to contemplate the outcome if you had not orchestrated this settlement. . . .”
Dear Judge: “I am writing to commend the work of John Skelton, the mediator assigned by the court in the above-referenced matter. As Virginia counsel for one of the parties in the California litigation, I became involved in the negotiations as a result of Jack's comprehensive approach to the mediation. “Jack's vision for resolution and his position that settlement through mediation was necessary transformed the parties from adversaries to negotiators. His skill and dedication was the catalyst which kept the parties and their attorneys at the mediation table despite the numerous and complex issues. “The California court system is fortunate to have a professional of his high caliber assisting in the resolution of matters through mediation.”
Airline Denied Boarding Following September 11th “. . . . Again, I wish to thank you for the extraordinary amount of work you devoted to the process of bringing both sides to common ground. I am certainly pleased, as I am sure [opposing counsel] is, that your efforts were not at all in vain.”
Commercial Computer Spam / Violations of Federal CAN-SPAM Act “. . . . I thought Jack was terrific. The talks looked like they had reached an impasse several times, but Jack knew just how to gently get things back on track. I don't think the case would have settled without him."
ERISA Disability Claim “Thank you for your hard work and diligence in working with the parties to try to settle our ERISA disability claim. . . . [You] follow[ed] up with both parties on a regular basis after the mediation to get us to come closer to a resolution. You demonstrated superb knowledge of the delicate facts of our case and extreme finesse in dealing with my client, a headstrong disabled woman, who repeatedly said to me about you, “I really like him.” Your ability to show compassion while “telling it like it is” commanded great respect from both myself and my client. I would highly recommend you as a mediator and look forward to the opportunity of working with you again.”
Commercial Property Mortgage / Breach of Oral Agreement to Modify Loan Terms “Jack worked to help us settle our case, without the need for an actual face-to-face mediation session, and at no charge to the parties. His efforts were very helpful in a difficult situation.”
Securities and Exchange Commission Civil Fraud Action / Related Insurance Coverage and Attorneys’ Fees Dispute “Jack Skelton helped us successfully settle a securities case and then resolve fee issues. Throughout the process, Jack was smart, thoughtful, and even-tempered, and brought excellent experience to the tasks. We appreciated his hard work and quick responses.”
Airline Passenger Personal Injury “Jack Skelton mediated a case I had against a major airline in federal court. The law and issues were complicated though the facts simple. Despite my clarity about the case, its strengths and weaknesses, the defense didn't quite see things as I did. Jack helped me cut through the issues, boil it down, and resolve it that day. It was a good result for all. In short, I could not have settled my case without Jack's help.”
Bank Employee Wrongful Termination Action / Retaliation in Violation of California FEHA / Disability Discrimination (Denial of FMLA) / Retaliatory Termination in Violation of Labor Code § 1102.5(c) “Jack . . . you did a fantastic job. Our client commented about that also as we were leaving (and he has had experience with a lot of mediators). He really appreciated your no nonsense way of handling things, your knowledge and experience, the fact that you did not waste our time, and, of course, the excellent result you achieved. I will certainly recommend you and seek you out next time I need a mediator.”
Confidential Civil Dispute (Lawsuit Not Filed) “Jack Skelton handled what seemed to be an intractable dispute for an important client of our firm. Over a period of almost six months, he refused to let up, ultimately bringing the parties to resolution. We were very fortunate: Jack displayed perseverance, fairness and wisdom to a degree rarely found even in highly accomplished mediators, skills without which the parties likely would have ended up in costly litigation.”
Confidential Civil Dispute (Lawsuit Not Filed) “In my over 40 years as a litigator, it is hard to remember if I have ever come across a mediator who is as doggedly determined as Jack is. He is relentless. He will not let up. Jack has a unique style of shuttle mediation over the phone that is very effective. And he does it all with professionalism and good humor. I would recommend Jack and plan to use him in the future.”
(Quotes used with permission, and edited where necessary for length and to protect confidentiality)
|