Advanced Mediation Topics

Hon. Michelle R. Rosenblatt (Ret.) mediates, arbitrates and is available to act in the capacity of a private judge and discovery referee on a wide range of civil cases. As a mediator, Judge Rosenblatt helps the parties settle their disputes through a combination of her thorough preparation, legal knowledge, extensive experience, intellect, calm approach, patience, persistence and low-key, empathetic personality. Since retiring from 23 years as a judge and joining ADR Services, Inc. in 2016, Judge Rosenblatt has established herself as a go-to neutral who has the work ethic, personality, tenacity and ability to resolve matters that are both factually nuanced and legally complex.

 is a neutral at JAMS with close to 20 years of experience as an ADR professional. Dr. Kessler has a Ph.D. in communications and experience with empirical research and statistical analysis.  She has mediated and arbitrated hundreds of diverse matters, including individual and class action employment; real property; business/commercial, including partnership and shareholder disputes; estate/probate/trust; insurance; and entertainment cases.  With a law career spanning more than 30 years, she has the legal experience and knowledge to quickly understand complex legal issues.  Dr. Kessler’s 10-plus years of experience as a jury researcher and consultant affords her the ability to provide key insights into jury dynamics. 

Tanja L. Darrow concentrates in litigation and is co-chair of the Litigation and Trials Practice Group and a core member of the firm’s Complex Litigation and PAGA Practice Group. An experienced lead trial and appellate attorney, Tanja has successfully defended hundreds of cases on behalf of corporate clients, and successfully received complete defense verdicts in all tried cases, including a PAGA trial with complicated issues of first impression. With a keen focus on providing superior quality work, coupled with her understanding of the need to provide strategic and practical solutions to assist clients with a wide range of issues, she counsels clients in various industries.

Andie Fields is an Associate Attorney with the Genie Harrison Law Firm. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Andie earned her undergraduate degree from University of California, Davis where she majored in Communications. Andie returned to Los Angeles and received her law degree from Southwestern Law School. Andie has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star from 2020 to 2023.

Joe Lovretovich brings over 46 years of experience in employment law, personal injury, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death; legal malpractice, education law, school bullying, and disability insurance law.

Mr. Lovretovich’s career began in insurance defense at Stein & Stein and then took his experience to Goldstone and Steed when he became a partner managing business litigation and multi-state product liability litigation.

While predominantly managing an insurance defense practice as a partner at Goldstone & Lovretovich and later Lovretovich & Karen, he also handled substantial defense employment law matters.  His firm of 12 lawyers handled all types of insurance defense matters including predominantly premises liability and employment defense matters.  He regularly handled cases for Lloyds of London in third-party defense and first-party insurance coverage work.

Peter J. Marx has served as a mediator for over 30 years. Beginning after 20 years as a litigator and transactional attorney, Mr. Marx was an early adopter of mediation as a more civilized and far less expensive and burdensome means of resolving disputes. In his mediations, he seeks to ascertain the true interests of the parties, which may or may not be coextensive with their factual and legal positions. In reaching agreement, the objective is to satisfy those interests to the greatest extent possible.