For the last 38 years, I have offered a range of conflict resolution services designed
to prevent, manage, settle, and resolve disputes. Past clients include marital and divorcing couples, families, public and private sector organizations, communities, schools, labor-management teams, environmental and social advocacy groups,
and governments on all levels in the U.S. and around the world. For more about services and fees, see below.
Mediation
Mediation can be thought of simply as an informal conversation that is designed to solve a problem. What works best in solving difficult problems is for the conversation to take place in the presence of someone who is outside the problem, yet has some experience solving similar problems. Mediation is voluntary; conversations are confidential and decisions are reached by consensus. Parties are supported to resolve disputes quickly and economically through effective communication, exploration of options, negotiation, and compromise. Up to 80% of litigation costs can be saved by using mediation, even in emotionally intense and complicated cases, from divorce and family disputes to business and political conflicts.
For an independent evaluation of Ken's mediation skills and experience by the International Mediation Institute (IMI), click here.
Consultation and Facilitation
I offer strategic support, dialogue facilitation and systems design, as part of an diverse, inter-disciplinary network of conflict professionals which includes mediators, attorneys, arbitrators, business managers, psychologists, consultants, trainers, educators, and conflict-resolution system designers.
Strategic Support and Team-Building. We help develop visions, goals, programs, and partnerships to solve problems at an affordable price.
Design and Facilitation of Dialogues. We support organizations, governments and communities in designing, convening and facilitating small and large-scale dialogues that harness differences and diversity toward creative solutions.
Conflict Resolution Systems Design. We help target and analyze chronic organizational problems, and design alternative systems and structures to correct these problems. Conflict management specialists examine the causes of conflicts, diagnose problems, and design system-wide solutions to prevent their recurrence.
Training and Coaching
I offer private and public trainings and coaching in communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and mediation. These are customized to meet the needs of clients, whether they are individuals, couples or groups. People in organizations (including managers, union leaders and employees) are supported in learning essential skills in how to manage conflicts, solve chronic problems, improve partnerships and relationships, reduce racial, sexual and cross-cultural biases, negotiate collaboratively, work with difficult behaviors, and resolve grievances and complaints. I also offer two mediation certification trainings in Santa Monica each year. To hear about public training opportunities, be sure to subscribe to updates or email me directly to let me know of your interest.
Arbitration
I am often selected to act as an arbitrator to assist parties who need a final and binding or advisory decision by a neutral third party. The parties choose the arbitrator and determine the issues to be decided. The process is less formal than litigation and the parties can be represented by attorneys or represent themselves. Arbitration is common in labor-management disputes, but is also to reach a final outcome in divorces, commercial and organizational issues.