FAQ

Andrew Weiss

Andrew Weiss is a full-time California civil mediator who handles a broad range of civil disputes, including personal injury, business and commercial disputes, real property, construction, employment, probate and estates, professional liability, insurance, and other complex civil matters. His 38 years as a litigator and trial lawyer give him a practical, trial-tested perspective that helps parties evaluate the risks, costs, and uncertainties of continued litigation.

Andrew Weiss charges a flat hourly rate of $625.00 for all services related to the mediation, including preparation, conducting the mediation, and any post-session settlement negotiations in which he remains involved.

There are no minimum-hour requirements (such as half-day or full-day sessions), and no administrative fees. Parties are charged only for the time Andrew spends preparing for and providing mediation services.

For in-person mediations outside San Luis Obispo County, travel time is billed at $225 per hour.

Andrew Weiss provides mediation services throughout California, with a particular focus on the Central Coast. Mediations may be conducted in person or remotely by Zoom, depending on the needs and preferences of the parties and counsel.

Andrew prepares thoroughly for each mediation by carefully reviewing and comparing the parties’ mediation briefs and exhibits, examining the online court docket in cases in litigation to better understand the pleadings, history, and status of the case, and gathering other available background information about the parties and their dispute. He seeks to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s position, the risks and uncertainties of continued litigation, and the factors that may influence settlement. When appropriate, he also communicates with counsel before the mediation to clarify issues and better understand the parties’ positions. As a result, he can begin the mediation with a meaningful understanding of the case and engage productively with counsel and the parties from the outset.

Andrew brings more than 45 years of legal experience, including 38 years as a litigator and trial lawyer, to every mediation. Having spent decades representing clients in complex civil disputes, he understands the realities of litigation from both attorneys’ and clients’ perspectives. He takes a direct, candid, and constructive approach, with an emphasis on thorough preparation, credibility, civility, and helping parties realistically assess the strengths and weaknesses of their positions. He believes that a respectful and professional mediation environment gives parties a better opportunity to have productive discussions and reach a resolution.

In most cases, Andrew asks counsel to submit a concise and candid mediation brief one week before the mediation. The brief should address the key facts and legal issues, liability and defenses, damages or other claimed losses, prior settlement discussions, and the principal obstacles to settlement.

Counsel should identify the strengths and weaknesses of both the other parties’ positions and their own case, and, when appropriate, address significant risks or uncertainties that could affect the outcome. Supporting documents and exhibits should be included when they are important to understanding the case, but unnecessary materials should be avoided. Andrew reviews the briefs and materials before the mediation so that he can be prepared to engage with the substantive issues from the beginning.

Each side may decide, in its discretion, whether to share its mediation brief with the other side. A party may also submit a supplemental brief to Andrew separately to provide confidential or sensitive information that should not be shared with the opposing side.

Andrew believes that effective mediation requires preparation, candor, active engagement, and persistence. He does not simply shuttle offers between the parties. He works with counsel and the parties to identify the issues preventing settlement, evaluate the risks and uncertainties of continued litigation, and explore practical solutions. His goal is to create an environment in which the parties can make informed decisions about whether and how to resolve their dispute.

Attorneys can expect Andrew to be thoroughly prepared and actively engaged throughout the mediation. He listens carefully to counsel and the parties, asks questions, challenges assumptions when appropriate, and directly addresses the issues that may be preventing settlement. He works to keep the discussion focused and productive while respecting the professional judgment of counsel and the parties’ authority to make their own decisions.

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