Deborah David
Coach, Assessor
Short Introduction
I have had the good fortune to practice conflict resolution with the world's leading ADR organizations - CEDR and JAMS. Twenty-five years ago, after years as a litigator, I embraced the opportunity to help people find a way out of litigation and conflict. CEDR helped me learn new methods of communication and influence. It is one of my greatest career satisfactions to belong to the CEDR Faculty where I can pass on what I have learned as both a litigator and mediator.
About Work
Before joining JAMS as a mediator, I was a California litigator for 25 years representing both defendants and plaintiffs in a variety of areas including aviation, general tort, medical negligence, products liability, employment, business disputes, copyright, professional negligence, and insurance claims. I had numerous leadership roles in various bar associations. In late 2002, I moved to the United Kingdom and continued my career mediating matters as a panelist and faculty member with CEDR. In late 2016, I returned to live in California and work at JAMS.
I have acted as a mediator in hundreds of matters, involving cross border disputes, tort claims (including personal injury, products liability, medical malpractice, and mass disaster and consolidated actions), professional liability, business and commercial disputes and employment claims. In the last 5 years I have served as an arbitrator or hearing officer in more than 100 matters involving commercial/business, employment, government regulation, professional negligence and tort claims.
As a practicing lawyer and bar leader, I spoke frequently at continuing education seminars and training sessions on matters related to trial practice. As a mediator and arbitrator, I continue to participate regularly as a trainer and coach helping litigators transition from positional advocacy to collaborative problem-solving. Much of my training work has occurred in countries across the world--in America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India and the Far East--where I have gained the considerable benefits of working across cultures. I have been blessed by an endlessly interesting professional journey!
Sectors
- Commercial Mediation
- Conflict Management
- Mediation Skills Training
- Negotiation
- Programme & Curriculum Design
- Workplace & Employment Mediation
Key Skills
George Bernard Shaw famously said: "The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
I concentrate on ensuring that clear balanced communication occurs in a manner that de-escalates conflict and finds (sometimes elusive) common ground. Building rapport is achieved by relating to the parties with interest, active listening, reflecting back, understanding and transparency.
I exercise firm control over the process while making sure the parties understand the process and our respective roles. With JAMS, I attend regular continuing education programs relevant to mediation and arbitration practice.
Qualifications
- CEDR Accredited Mediator, United Kingdom, 2003-present
- Member, CEDR Faculty, 2004-present
- Member, Lamport Hall Group, United Kingdom, an invitation-only group of leading mediators based in the UK, 2014-2017
- Member, Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution, State Bar of California, 2002
- Member, Judicial Council Task Force on the Quality of Justice, appointed by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, 1998-2000
- Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, 1998-2023; Executive Committee, 1998, 2000, and 2002
- Member, Board of Governors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, 1996-2000
- Member, Board of Governors, Consumer Attorneys of California, 1992-2001
- Member, Board of Governors, Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, 1990-2001
- President, Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, 1997