Professional Details

Donald Fischer
Senior MediatorSenior MediatorSenior Mediator

Donald Fischer Mediator

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2000 Fresno Street, Suite 100
Fresno, CA 93721
USA
(559) 905-4315

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Description of Practice

I am a conflict specialist committed to meeting the time and resource constraints of disputants, attorneys and their clients. Self-Represented-Litigants many times benefit using conflict resolution methods. The method of mediation I facilitate encourages communication amongst all parties. Interests and injustices are exposed that so often block options and opportunities to settle disputes. Informed participants can make self-determined decisions. Settlement becomes simple when people feel like they are truly heard. The key factor of this process is their participation in a non-adversarial environment. Constructive collaboration can help relationships be respectful when deciding to make things as right as possible for each individual.

Professional Background

I have twenty eight years of experience in small business, insurance, construction and real estate. I mediate and facilitate conflict management in these arenas as well as probate, conservatorship, employment, personal injury, family, and victim / offender reconciliation. I practice as a mediator for the Fresno County Superior Court, hold membership with the Association of Conflict Resolution and have in excess of 200 hours of certified mediation training. My training includes 70 hours from the California Bar Association and 25 hours from the American Bar Association, and certification as an arbitrator for construction dispute resolution. I have mediated more than 230 cases and conduct mandatory settlement conferences for the Fresno County Superior Court.

Experience

  • master's education in conflict studies
  • case management
  • program director for civil court mediation contract
  • dispute program systems development
  • advanced mediator trainer
  • advanced mediation trainer for Superior Court Judges
  • ADR consultant for Superior Court
  • Superior Court Implementation Coordinator for Early Neutral Evaluation Program
  • Victim Offender Reconciliation Program mediator
  • Judicial Settlement Officer
  • Adoption and Guardianship mediation
  • ELDER mediation
  • Family Mediation
  • Real Property
  • Business contracts and relationships
  • Lemon Law mediation

Training

Dates    Trainer(s)    Title   
2012    Fresno Pacific University    MA, Mediation - Peacemaking & Conflict Studies
2011    J. Scileppi Marist College, Lorenza de Medici, Florence, Italy    Conflict Resolution: Understanding & resolving conflicts, honestly & respectfully
2002    Fresno Pacific University    Basic Instiute for Conflict Resolution, 40 Hours
2002    CA Superior Court, Fresno County    Superior Court Mediation Panel Training, 25 Hours
1977    University of California, Berkeley    BA, Rhetoric
2014    ACR    ACR Advanced Practitioners (Family)
2014    CA Bar Association    2014 Annual Meeting

Approach

Provide a process that allows all parties to have a voice and acknowledgement that it has been heard by those involved.

Fees

Family, Civil Limited & Pre-Litigation = $500 First 2 Hours then, $200 / Hr Unlimited, Employment = $1,600 per Day - $950 per 1/2 Day Elder Issue Family Conferencing -- $200 per Hour, Day/Evening Appointment Flexibility

Other Information

Not every conflict can be mediated but these are rare. Most cases resolve before trial and mediation presents you with the opportunity to resolve this matter through a cost effective process. Mediation can preserve relationships that can deteriorate through the long adversarial option of litigation.

Additionally, I train people in the art and science of constructive conflict management. My experience has been with groups in business, finance, education and cross-cultural communities. This focus of early intervention helps the participants communicate more effectively to achieve greater goal satisfaction.

Areas of Practice

  • Adult Family (25 mediated)
  • Agriculture & Ranching (15 mediated)
  • Business (100 mediated)
  • Civil (general) (350 mediated)
  • Commercial (40 mediated)
  • Community (30 mediated)
  • Construction (25 mediated)
  • Contracts (350 mediated)
  • Divorce (all issues) (50 mediated)
  • Divorce (parenting)
  • Education (5 mediated)
  • Elder (15 mediated)
  • Employment (30 mediated)
  • Estate Planning (20 mediated)
  • Family (30 mediated)
  • Foreclosure (20 mediated)
  • Health Care (15 mediated)
  • Insurance (30 mediated)
  • Land Use (10 mediated)
  • Landlord - Tenant (15 mediated)
  • Legal Malpractice (7 mediated)
  • LGBTQ (3 mediated)
  • Marital Mediation (35 mediated)
  • Medical Malpractice (15 mediated)
  • Partnership (30 mediated)
  • Personal Injury (50 mediated)
  • Pet Mediation (4 mediated)
  • Probate (90 mediated)
  • Professional Fees (7 mediated)
  • Real Estate (35 mediated)
  • Restorative (Criminal) (12 mediated)
  • Restorative (Juvenile) (40 mediated)
  • Sexual Harrassment (7 mediated)
  • Trust Management (12 mediated)
  • Workplace (14 mediated)

Professional Services

  • Mediator
  • Communication Skills Trainer
  • Systems Designer
  • Mediator-Arbitrator
  • Mediation Consultant
  • Conflict Coach
  • Online Mediator
  • Mediation Trainer
  • Advanced Mediation Trainer

References

Duane Ruth-Heffelbower Director, Center for Peacemaking & Conflict Studies Fresno Pacific University & Associate Mari Henson Administrator, ADR Dept, CA Superior Court, Fresno Co John Montejano Assistant Administrator, ADR Dept, CA Superior Court, Fresno Co Doug Noll, Esq California Dispute Resolution Council Mark W. Coleman, Esq Client Leon E. Tirapelle, Esq Client More upon request

This dispute resolution professional keeps professional liability insurance.