Deborah Rothman, Esq.
After almost 20 years as a full-time neutral, I have come to believe that most litigation stems in part from miscommunication and/or non-communication that results in one or more parties’ feeling angry, frustrated and disrespected. Part of each mediation, then, involves reviewing the interaction at the point where it broke down, so that each side can explain its perspective and gain acknowledgment for their point of view. At that point, the parties are able to move their focus away from their litigation positions and onto their current and future interests. I help each party review what it would cost—in financial, emotional and organizational resources—to continue to litigate their dispute. I find that the vast majority of parties make rational decisions at the conclusion of this process.
Biography
Deborah Rothman is a hugely successful, nationally-recognized Mediator, arbitrator and arbitration consultant, acclaimed by lawyers and clients alike for her compassion, tenacity, diplomacy and commitment to excellence and fairness in complex, bet-the-farm litigation.
A full-time Mediator and arbitrator since 1991, Ms. Rothman has been named one of only thirty Southern California Super Lawyers in the field of ADR (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009), one of the Best Lawyers in America in the field of ADR (2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009), and one of the Top 32 Power Mediators in the United States by The Hollywood Reporter Esq. In 2009 she was named one of the top 16 California arbitrators by Who’s Who Legal, the strategic legal partner of the ABA section of International Law. She is a Fellow and Board Member of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and a Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators.
Ms. Rothman has served as a neutral in thousands of mediations, settlement conferences and arbitrations in a wide variety of areas of the law and diverse industries, and has been retained as a confidential arbitration consultant on select large cases. She is a speaker/trainer and author for many recognized groups. She has authored countless articles published by California Labor & Employment Law Quarterly, The Daily Journal, ABTL Report and CPR Alternatives, and is a Contributing Editor to Guide to Best Practices in Commercial Arbitration, published by The College of Commercial Arbitrators.
Ms. Rothman has participated in the mediations of class members in: Sizzler Bankruptcy, Piper Aircraft, Merrill Lynch gender discrimination class action and Smith Barney gender discrimination and sexual harassment class action. She also served as an arbitrator in the Prudential Life Insurance Class Action Settlement Appeals matter.
She earned a B.A. degree at Yale University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1971, and received her Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University in 1976. That same year, Ms. Rothman received her law degree from NYU School of Law.
Primary Areas of Focus
Business and Commercial Disputes
Domestic and international matters involving antitrust, franchise, commercial real estate litigation, entertainment, E-Discovery, securities, unfair competition, unfair business practices, business torts, partnership dissolutions, product liability, taxation by various public entities; disputes involving accounting firms, apparel/garment industry, hospitality industry, healthcare, banking, aerospace/ aviation, fast-food, law firms, medical & dental partnerships, nursing homes, retail, high-tech, biotech and pharmaceutical, school districts, police departments, municipalities and the U. S. Postal Service
Employment
Discrimination (sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation); sexual harassment; wrongful termination; retaliation; wage & hour class action; and breach of covenant not to compete
Health Care
Doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes, HMO's, hospitals, Medical and legal malpractice and nursing home negligence
Intellectual Property
Trade secret theft, patent infringement, unfair competition, and computer technology
Real Estate
Purchase and lease contracts, construction defect, earthquake damage and foreclosure, commercial partnerships, shopping center disputes
Fees
Please contact PMA for Ms. Rothman's fees
Contact
drothman@pma-adr.com
Tel: 877.678.1010
Recognition
Ms. Rothman’s professional ADR experience has included:
- EEOC (L. A. District Office) Panel of Mediators
- Key Bridge Foundation (U.S. Dept. of Justice ADA) Panel of Mediators
- FINRA (formerly NASD) Board of Arbitrators and Panel of Mediators
- Office of the Independent Administrator (Kaiser Arbitration Panel)
- L. A. Superior Court Probate Mediation Panel
- U. S. Postal Service, Panel of Mediators
- U. S. District Ct. , Central District of CA, Attorney Settlement Officer
- CA Department of Insurance, Earthquake Claims and numerous other ADR provider panels.
- Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Best Lawyers in America (2006 - 2009)
- Board Member and Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators
- Fellow, International Academy of Mediators
- Former Chair, Beverly Hills Bar Association, ADR and Labor and Employment Law section
- Member, California Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
- Formerly on Board of Directors, Dispute Resolution Services (“DRS”)
- CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, Panel of Distinguished Neutrals