Mar 3, 2025
Lee M. Mendelson, Esq. Joins ADR Services, Inc.
For over 27 years, Lee Mendelson has been at the forefront of civil litigation, advocating for clients in high-stakes disputes across a broad spectrum of legal matters. His expertise spans insurance coverage, personal injury, subrogation, workers’ compensation, product liability, debtor/creditor disputes, and real estate conflicts. Throughout his distinguished career as a litigator, Lee consistently found himself drawn to the moments when resolution was achieved outside the courtroom—not through contentious trials, but through the art of negotiation.
Today, Lee is a full-time mediator, leveraging his extensive litigation background to help parties resolve disputes with efficiency, fairness, and pragmatism. His passion for negotiation and conflict resolution emerged early in his legal career, where he quickly developed a reputation for his ability to de-escalate tensions and foster constructive dialogue. Whether representing insurers in high-value claims or navigating complex multi-party disputes, he demonstrated a keen ability to shift the focus from entrenched positions to meaningful resolutions. His ability to “lower the temperature” in contentious matters and guide parties toward mutually beneficial outcomes has become a hallmark of his practice.
Lee now applies his skills as a strategist, problem-solver, and consensus builder in mediation. His approach is pragmatic and results-driven, grounded in the belief that the real “client” in mediation is the settlement itself. He meticulously prepares for each case, thoroughly reviewing briefs and conducting pre-mediation calls to identify potential roadblocks before they arise. During mediation, he fosters a solutions-oriented atmosphere, employing a range of techniques—including informal mediator proposals, bracketed negotiations, and interest-based bargaining—to drive meaningful discussions. His commitment to resolution extends beyond the mediation session; if an agreement is not reached immediately, he continues working behind the scenes, persistently engaging with parties to bridge gaps and finalize settlements.
Lee is widely respected for his intelligence, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the mediation process. His style is neither aggressive nor passive, striking a balance that encourages open dialogue while keeping parties grounded in practical realities. He understands that creating a relaxed and collaborative environment is essential for productive negotiations. By fostering an atmosphere of trust, he helps parties consider new perspectives and reach settlements that are not only legally sound but also sustainable.
Guided by the philosophy that persistence is often the key to resolution, Lee believes that the difference between impasse and settlement is frequently just one more conversation, one additional effort toward compromise. As a mediator, his mission remains clear: to help people navigate conflict, identify common ground, and achieve resolutions that work—not just in theory, but in real life.