How to set up an appellate mediation with John Derrick
John Derrick only mediates appellate cases where all sides are represented by counsel. If you are interested in setting up a mediation with John Derrick, this is the best way to go about it:
The lawyers should first discuss between them the idea of arranging an appellate mediation and, ideally, review this website. If there is interest, one of them should then email John (using the address at the bottom of this page), cc’ing all other lawyers in the case, providing the following core, nonconfidential information:
- The name of the case.
- The names of the parties (identifying their position in the case in the trial and appellate courts — i.e., plaintiff/defendant, appellant/respondent, etc.).
- The names and contact details of the lawyers.
- The court in which an appeal is taking place or expected.
- A very short indication of the overall subject matter (probably not much more than few words — e.g., “summary judgment in contract case” or “jury trial in personal injury case” or “anti-SLAPP,” etc.). But not a statement of the parties’ contentions.
- Although not essential, it can be helpful to attach a copy of the judgment or order being appealed.
John will then reach out to set up a short phone conference with the lawyers to discuss scheduling and logistical issues. (That will be followed by the substantive pre-mediation communications separately with each side.)
This method of setting up a mediation — involving a joint approach by the lawyers — is better than one lawyer unilaterally phoning or emailing John in the first instance. It avoids the risk that one side will perceive some sort of bias, because a lawyer on the other side initially contacted the mediator on his or her own.
John Derrick
21 E. Pedregosa Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tel: (805) 284-1660
Email: jd@californiaappeals.com