Profile

Drawing upon a career spanning over four decades as both a mediator and trial lawyer, Mark D. Kramer, Esq. utilizes his extensive experience to assist parties in resolving disputes, bringing invaluable expertise to the mediation field. Formerly a partner at the distinguished Los Angeles firm of Fonda and Garrard, Mr. Kramer established Kramer & Kramer in 1992. Throughout his career, Mr. Kramer has tried over 50 cases to verdict, demonstrating his expertise across a diverse spectrum of law, including automobile accidents, premises liability, products liability, medical malpractice, construction, business, and false imprisonment. Beyond his work in insurance defense, Mr. Kramer demonstrates versatility through his handling of plaintiff matters. His eligibility for membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum underscores his impartial approach when navigating disputes.

Mr. Kramer’s achievements in the courtroom earned him accolades such as an AV Preeminent rating, recognition as a Super Lawyer, and acknowledgement as one of the top attorneys in Southern California by Los Angeles Magazine. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

In addition to his litigation and trial expertise, Mr. Kramer distinguishes himself through his extensive mediation experience. With over two decades of service to the Los Angeles Superior Court as a mediator and arbitrator, Mr. Kramer has facilitated hundreds of settlements with tact, efficiency, and a deep understanding of the law. His experience extends beyond the bounds of Los Angeles, having also lent his skills to the Ventura County Superior Court as a mediator. His ADR practice epitomizes trust, proficiency, and a steadfast commitment to equitable resolution.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Business & Contract
  • Construction Defect
  • Employment
  • Fee Disputes
  • HOA Disputes
  • Insurance & Bad Faith
  • Personal Injury
  • Products Liability
  • Professional Malpractice
  • Subrogation

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

  • Kramer & Kramer, Partner, 1992-2023
    Litigated all aspects of a wide variety of matters including Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Construction, Subsidence, Subrogation, Contractual and Business Disputes, and False Imprisonment.
  • Fonda and Garrard, Partner, 1988-1992, Associate, 1986-1988
    Litigated all aspects of a wide variety of matters including Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Construction, Medical Malpractice, and Business Disputes.
  • Thomas and Price, Associate, 1984-1986
    Litigated all aspects of a wide variety of matters, including Medical Malpractice, Products Liability, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, and Construction.

EDUCATION

  • Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, 2013
  • J.D., Dean’s Honors List, Loyola Law School, 1979
  • B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 1976

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • United States Supreme Court, 1989
  • United States District Court, Central District of California, 1979
  • California State Bar, 1979

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Los Angeles Chapter
  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC)

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent
  • Super Lawyer, Litigation and Mediation, 2012, 2013, 2015-2024
  • Top Attorney in Southern California, Los Angeles Magazine

Representative Cases

Employment

  • Plaintiff, an employee at a governmental agency, complained that she had been constructively terminated and discriminated against when she was moved to a less important position at the same salary. Defendant was unhappy with plaintiff’s performance and was unwilling to restore plaintiff to her prior position. A monetary settlement was reached along with plaintiff permitted to remain in her current position for a specified period of time, and at the expiration to leave the agency.
  • Plaintiff claimed she had been harassed in her small office environment and that she had been underpaid. A monetary settlement was reached.

Personal Injury

  • Plaintiff, a customer in defendant’s large chain store, slipped and fell on an unknown object and alleged defendant had inadequately maintained its store. Plaintiff alleged a full thickness tear of her rotator cuff, right knee tendonitis, as well as soft tissue injuries. Defendant denied notice of the object which plaintiff alleged caused him to fall. Defendant further argued that plaintiff’s shoulder surgery was unrelated to the subject accident and pointed to prior accidents plaintiff had experienced. The case settled on a Mediator’s Proposal.
  • Plaintiff alleged he slipped on debris in a convenience store and that defendant had notice of the debris. Plaintiff alleged a dislocated knee cap and torn meniscus. Plaintiff had undergone two surgeries. Defendant denied notice of the alleged dangerous condition and contended that plaintiff’s surgeries were necessitated by his prior leg problems.
  • Plaintiff alleged that multiple defendants attacked him in a health club scenario in a dispute over the use of the equipment. Defendants denied that they had acted improperly and questioned plaintiff’s alleged injuries. Defendants who were uninsured agreed to a settlement involving payments over time subject to a stipulated judgment in the event of default.
  • Plaintiff alleged that an auto dealer had improperly sold a vehicle to a purchaser who was unlicensed and had a very poor driving record. The defendant driver was subsequently involved in an automobile accident with plaintiff. Plaintiff alleged a variety of personal injuries and sued both the automobile dealer and the purchaser. Defendant auto dealer denied that they were required to check co-defendant’s driving record before selling the vehicle and contested the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries. Co-defendant driver was unable to be served with the Complaint.
  • This was a left turn intersection accident with stop signs. Plaintiff alleged approximately $10,000.00 in medical specials. Defendant disputed liability and the nature and extent of plaintiff’s alleged injuries.
  • Plaintiff alleged that defendant negligently changed lanes into him causing him to be ejected from his motorcycle. Plaintiff sustained a partially amputated finger and also received spinal injuries requiring multiple surgeries. Plaintiff alleged approximately $1,900,000.00 in past and future medical expenses. Defendant did not dispute liability but contested the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries.

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Property Damage Claim

  • Improper cutting down of plaintiff’s trees. Plaintiff alleged that defendant improperly cut down multiple trees on plaintiff’s property despite warnings not to do so. Plaintiff claimed double and/or treble damages times $80,000.00 basic damages. Defendant claimed that some of the trees were already dead or had fallen onto his property and/or had portions growing over fences and onto his property.

School District

  • Plaintiff v. confidential School District and certain employees. Plaintiff alleged that her child was mistreated by employees of confidential School District and has suffered physically and emotionally as a result of the alleged misconduct. Defendants denied the alleged improper actions of their employees and that the administration failed to properly handle the situation.

Subrogation/Insurance

  • Plaintiff insurer claimed that defendant roofing company negligently installed a defective new roof which caused damages of $123,386.42. The in pro per defendant denied that the roof was defective. A settlement was reached for defendant to make payments over time, against a Stipulated Judgment for the full amount claimed by plaintiff.

UIM/UM

  • Claimant received the adverse driver’s policy limits in a two-car collision then sought the available policy limits of his own UM/UIM policy less the amount received from the adverse driver. Claimant alleged that he was in ongoing pain, had radiculopathy and needed a variety of future care. Respondent argued that claimant’s ongoing problems were due to age related problems and that his present medical care was not necessitated by the subject accident. The matter settled on a mediator’s proposal.
  • UIM claim involving an admitted liability accident. Claimant alleged his damages were caused by another motorist who was not insured. Claimant alleged a variety of injuries including TMJ, cervical and thoracic sprains, as well as a sprained shoulder and ankle. Respondent denied that all of claimant’s injury claims were a result of the subject accident and contested the reasonableness and necessity for some of the treatment.