Mayra Fornos says understanding parties' motivations is key to settlement

Mayra M. Fornos says the best mediators never lose sight of the human element behind a legal dispute.

After 30 years as a litigator and trial attorney, Fornos now works as a full-time mediator with ADR Services, Inc., handling a wide range of matters, including personal injury, employment, sexual abuse, elder abuse, discrimination, and commercial disputes. She also volunteers with both the Los Angeles County Superior Court's Mediation Volunteer Panel and Resolve Law LA, programs designed to help relieve mounting court congestion by providing parties with early access to mediation services.

Fornos said she was drawn to volunteer mediation work because it allowed her to use decades of courtroom experience to help litigants resolve disputes outside the pressures and uncertainty of trial.

"Volunteering provides an opportunity to help parties find a structured, dignified path toward resolution in high-stakes matters as well as help our overburdened court system," she responded to questions from the Daily Journal.

Her years as a trial lawyer continue to shape how she approaches mediation. Fornos said her litigation background gives her a practical understanding of jury behavior and trial risk, allowing her to provide realistic assessments that help parties evaluate settlement options more clearly.

"I use this 'boots-on-the-ground' perspective to provide realistic case valuations that help both the defense and plaintiff ground their expectations in how a case will play out in a courtroom," she explained.

At the same time, Fornos said mediation requires a fundamentally different mindset from advocacy.

"Serving as a neutral requires a fundamental pivot from the 'warrior's stance' employed when representing a client," she wrote. "A mediator must be an advocate for resolution and maintain neutrality throughout the process with patience and understanding toward all parties."

Fornos places heavy emphasis on preparation, civility and active listening during mediations, particularly in emotionally charged cases where distrust or anger may keep parties entrenched. She often asks herself a central question during difficult negotiations: "What is the reason for the reason that the parties are so far apart?"

"The answer or answers to this question is often the key that helps to bring the parties closer to the table," she wrote.

Serving on the court's mediation panels, Fornos said, has reinforced the importance of professionalism, patience and empathy in dispute resolution. She believes mediation programs will become increasingly important as civil caseloads continue to rise.

For Fornos, however, the work remains deeply personal.

"The most rewarding aspect is facilitating mutually beneficial resolutions that provide genuine closure," she wrote. "There is unique professional satisfaction in being a 'peacemaker' while helping people navigate the most difficult times of their lives."

Learn more about the Superior Court of Los Angeles County's Mediation Volunteer Panel and view mediator profiles at www.lacourt.ca.gov/ADR. MVP mediators volunteer to coordinate and conduct three-hour mediations at no charge for cases referred by the court.