Justice for All, LLC

Introduction.

My name’s David Somerfleck, President and Lead Mediator for Justice for All, LLC.

Here are a few facts about me, including some biographical information.

Please reach me via the Contact page for any additional information.

Background:

1. Certified in mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) by attorney Jo-Marie Lisa of  Longmont, Colorado
2. Successfully mediated family and business cases of all types through Denver courts, the Denver Better Business Bureau, Jefferson County courts, the Colorado Bar Association, the Denver Bar Association, and in private practice
3. Mediated with lawyers, psychologists, social workers, and former Colorado Assistant Attorney General
4. Trained by Victim Offender Reconciliation Program of Denver in juvenile offender and community group program management
5. Successfully mediated a case scheduled to appear on the “Judge Judy” television program
6. Former Probation Officer and Senior Administrator for Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office
7. Serves as trainer for mediators around the world through the International Mediation Institute
   

   David Somerfleck (720) 468.0472

8. 10 years’ experience as an investigative journalist
9. Experience teaching ADHD students at middle-school and college levels
10. Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, disability and accessibility issues
11. Experience managing and instructing multiple adult-education programs

Graduate level coursework:

• -Legal Studies 160. 001 – Punishment, Culture, and Society, UC Berkeley, Instructor: Jonathan S. Simon
• -Mandatory Employment Arbitration: Keeping It Fair, Keeping It Lawful, University of Michigan Law School, Instructor: Theodore St. Antoine, Professor Law Emeritus
• -Introduction to Copyright Law, MIT, Instructor: Keith Winstein
• -Perspectives in Criminology, CRM 415, Missouri State University, Instructor: Dr. Karl Kunkel
• -Law 2723 – Climate Change: Law and Policy, UC Berkeley, Instructors: Cymie Payne, Daniel Farber
• -The Supreme Court, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights, MIT, Instructor: Prof. Malick Ghachem

Approaches:

Different Mediators have their own unique approaches toward conducting effective meetings. The three most commonly-used methods for mediation are:

1. Facilitative: In this process, the Mediator does not discuss the merits of a particular case, but chooses to focus on the needs of the parties, not specific issues, and moving them toward resolution
2. Evaluative: Here the Mediator reviews factual issues in the matter, and brings to bear professional experience to persuade parties to compromise positions in order to avoid undue risk and “get real”
3. Transformative: The primary goal of this focus, is to help parties repair damaged relationships, with an eye toward the dispute as well

Favored Approach:

A combining of all approaches is ultimately best for everyone concerned. It affords parties the greatest versatility in resolving disputes thoroughly, of a greater variety and scope.

Certainly, some styles are more applicable for particular cases, and not all cases demand the same approach. Approaches also adapt to suit the needs of given circumstances; but it may be helpful for participating parties to be familiar with different approaches in anticipation of discussions moving forward.