What are Cynthia’s fees for mediation or arbitration?
For details, please see our Mediation Fees page or our Arbitration page
What is the process for calendaring, or scheduling a mediation?
For details, please see our Mediation Scheduling page.
What is Cynthia’s practice regarding mediation briefing?
Cynthia will discuss briefing with counsel at the Pre-Session Conference Call. In general, however, she strongly encourages the following:
- Briefing under 15 pages (75 pages with exhibits), unless the case is unusually complex;
- Exchanging briefs with the other parties;
- Sending briefs one week in advance of the mediation;
- Including in the briefs the full names of all who will attend the mediation;
- If you are sending digital copies of exhibits, please combine them all in one file;
- Where possible and helpful to save time, energy and treasure, sending existing substantive and relevant written materials in lieu of new briefing (e.g. demand letters and responses, motions, briefs, key memos); and
- Sending Cynthia a hard copy of any briefing over 100 pages, including exhibits.
Please see our Mediation Scheduling page for detail about scheduling the Pre-Mediation Conference Call.
Does Cynthia hold joint sessions?
Cynthia’s standard practice is to hold a short joint session so that she can explain the mediation process and logistics to everyone.
Cynthia finds that beginning together in a respectful, non-substantive joint session provides an opportunity for all parties to start with a shared resolution vision. In some rare and unique cases, Cynthia and counsel decide together during the Pre-Session Conference Call that there is good reason to hold a substantive session at the beginning or at some point during the mediation, or to dispense with a joint session.
How long is a mediation day?
Cynthia’s goal is to resolve each case as quickly as possible, but she has learned over the years that in many cases the greatest chance of success comes when the mediation process is not rushed. Parties and attorneys on all sides need to be heard fully, and to feel fully heard. Thus, Cynthia recommends the parties plan to stay beyond business hours if that is required to reach full resolution. Cynthia always stays as long as it takes, and she encourages participants to do the same.
Who should attend the mediation?
Cynthia requests that all interested parties, stakeholders and counsel attend the mediation, including insurance representatives where at all possible. At the least, all interested parties and stakeholders should be available by telephone.
What amenities do you offer in your mediation space?
We offer comfortable mediation space in The Ordway Building, which overlooks Lake Merritt in Oakland. We have a variety of conference rooms as needed to accommodate any size group. Our office is not fully staffed since COVID and we are not offering food and drink as we had previously.
Our surrounding area boasts many restaurants that reflect Oakland’s gourmet renaissance.
How do I get to The Ordway Building and where do I park?
For details, please see our Mediation Location page.
I am coming to Oakland from out of town. What hotels are convenient to your office?
The closest hotels to our building are only about 10 blocks away on Broadway, the Oakland Marriott City Center, (510) 431-4000, and the Courtyard Oakland Downtown, (510) 625-8282.
Some additional choices:
Oakland Airport Area:
Hilton Oakland Airport, 1 Hegenberger Rd., Oakland, CA 94621, 510.635.5000
Holiday Inn Oakland Airport, 77 Hegenberger Rd., Oakland, CA 94621, 510.638.7777
Radisson Hotel Oakland Airport, 8400 Edes Ave, Oakland, CA 94621, 510.969.2490
Oakland Waterfront:
Bayside Hotel, a Best Western Plus Hotel, 1717 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606, 510.356.2450 (bayside views, and a short shuttle or cab ride to our offices)
Oakland Resort:
The Claremont Hotel Club & Spa, 41 Tunnel Road, Oakland, CA 94705 (510) 551-7266 (a large, historic resort hotel near the Berkeley border)
Emeryville:
Barkissimo, 3330 Powell St., Emeryville, CA 94608, 510.545.7734 (at the marina, and something different)
Four Points by Sheraton – SF Bay Bridge, 1603 Powell St., Emeryville, CA 94608, 510.547.7888
San Francisco:
San Francisco’s Embarcadero area is a quick BART ride from our offices and boasts many nice hotels. The closest hotel to BART and our offices is the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, 415.788.1234 or 888.591.1234.
What are the Closest Restaurants Open at Night?
The dinner restaurants within a few blocks of our building offer a nice variety of the Oakland culinary scene.
Agave Uptown, (Oaxacan cuisine), 2135 Franklin St., (510)288-3668; Open Monday through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm and Friday until 10 pm.
Amazona’s Pizza, 2427 Telegraph Ave., (510)625-1233; DELIVERY 11:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Mua Oakland Bar & Restaurant (California cuisine in hip, art–focused setting founded by artist CP-37), 2442a Webster (just beyond 24th Street, (510)238-1100; Open 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (midnight on Friday)
True Burger, 146 Grand Ave. at Valdez, (510)208-5678; 11 a.m to 9:30 p.m. (closed Monday)
What if I need general information or have questions not addressed on this website?
Please feel free to contact Robert (Cynthia’s Practice Manager) at 510.452.5298 or Admin@RemmersGlobal.com. Or, you can contact Cynthia directly at 510.379.5298 or Cynthia@RemmersGlobal.com. Please note that Cynthia does not return e-mail or phone calls during mediations, so she may be delayed in getting back to you.