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The panel will discuss (1) potential conflicts and other issues that must be taken into consideration during mediation, (2) expectations of parties, attorneys and mediators when insurance coverage is involved, and how to best prepare for mediation in such cases, (3) creative solutions for resolving disputes of covered claims and (4) considerations regarding policy limits and deductibles, and how they may affect the mediation.

The panel features Wendy Kramer and her husband Mark Kramer, two outstanding professionals with great experience in litigating and mediating cases that include claims covered by insurance. Wendy is a mediator with ADR Services, Inc. and Mark is a current mediator who spent more than 40 years as a personal injury attorney. Mediator Craig C. Lang, Esq., co-chair of the SCMA Attorney Outreach Committee and SCMA Board Secretary, will moderate.

Wendy W. Kramer is a highly effective full-time mediator.  Formerly a partner with Kramer & Kramer handling a wide variety of insurance-related matters, she has developed particular expertise in matters involving personal injury (vehicular accidents, premises liability, dog bites, bicycle accidents, public entities, DUI, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, products liability), business disputes, professional malpractice, real estate, landlord tenant disputes (habitability) and complex commercial litigation.

In addition to serving as the 2013 President of the Southern California Mediation Association, Ms. Kramer previously served as the SCMA’s Mentorship Program Chair, ADR Chair for the Santa Monica Bar Association, a panel mediator for the Los Angeles and Ventura Superior Courts ADR Programs, and a Fee Dispute Mediator for both the Beverly Hills and Santa Monica Bar Associations, as well as on the Board of Governors for the International Academy of Mediation (IAM). She currently serves as the Chair of the IAM’s Mentorship Program. She has mediated over 3,500 matters and arbitrated over 300 matters. She is known for her ability to deal with difficult personalities, multi-party matters and complicated legal issues.

Mark D. Kramer is a graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles and Loyola Law School. He has been a practicing attorney in the field of insurance defense since 1979. Formerly a partner in the Los Angeles firm of Fonda and Garrard, he began Kramer & Kramer as The Law Offices of Mark D. Kramer in 1992. He has taken over 50 cases to verdict, notably numerous automobile accident cases, as well as cases in the fields of premises liability, products liability, business, construction, medical malpractice and false imprisonment. Mark previously served as an arbitrator and mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court for 23 years and has completed the “Mediating the Litigated Case” training at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. He is an AV rated lawyer, is a member of ABOTA and has been named a Super Lawyer and one of the Top Attorneys in Southern California by Los Angeles Magazine. Mr. Kramer has also handled a variety of Plaintiff cases and is eligible to join the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

This program is available to any mediators and attorneys (including non-members of SCMA) who have ever, or will ever, mediate claims where an insurance carrier is involved. Supporting reading materials will be distributed before the program to all who register. This event qualifies for 1 hour general CLE credit for all California attorneys who register and attend.