San Diego Arbitrator and Mediator With Experience

Alternative Dispute Resolution You Can Trust

The Gould Firm’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) counsel can assist you as a party by representing you and your interests or by serving as a neutral for your dispute in a private setting. Attorney Evan A. Gould has represented hundreds of plaintiffs and defendants through mediation, arbitration, voluntary and mandatory settlement conferences. Mr. Gould also serves as a Mediator and Arbitrator privately, for the San Diego Superior Court, FINRA (formerly NASD) with a high degree of success.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary non-binding negotiation process facilitated by an impartial neutral mediator. The mediator helps the parties focus on the real issues involved in the dispute. A skilled mediator will facilitate the process and help guide the parties to find a mutually acceptable resolution. Mediation, in general, will result in the settlement of the large majority of cases. A skilled mediator will increase the odds of a settlement. Certain cases, such as employment cases are ideal for mediation and has become a very popular means of settling all types of disputes. Mediation offers a way to avoid the costs, time and the risks inherent in litigation. Mediation puts control of the outcome in the hands of the parties involved, rather than a group of strangers. To learn more about mediation, check out our frequently asked questions about mediation page.

What Is Arbitration?

Arbitration can be either binding or non-binding. Binding arbitration is a procedure by which parties agree to submit their dispute or claims to a third party, known as an arbitrator. The arbitrator is a neutral who will preside over a hearing conducted in a less formal manner than a judge in a court trial. The arbitrator guides the case while the parties put on witness and or evidence. The arbitrator considers the evidence and arguments from all sides then renders a written final and binding decision. The parties may select the rules and procedures to govern the arbitration proceedings. The parties may also choose to agree to certain minimums and maximum amounts the arbitrator may award giving the parties some control over the outcome and a means to reduce the risk or exposure or even to guarantee a claimant some type of recovery. Most arbitration matters can be heard in much less time than the same case would take if heard by a judge in a courtroom. This will reduce the cost each side might incur with lawyers’ fees, etc.

Non-binding arbitration is the type of arbitration where the arbitrator makes a determination of the facts, law or the rights of the parties to the dispute. The arbitrator’s decision, however, is not binding on the parties but may be instructive and ultimately assist them to understand how the case could result if it were to go to court or, to a binding proceeding. In many cases, the arbitrator’s decision will motivate the parties to reach a negotiated settlement shortly after the hearing.

Mediation and Arbitration Services:

Attorney Evan A. Gould offers mediation and arbitration services throughout Southern California. It takes a skilled neutral to help parties get beyond impasse and the emotion caused by the dispute and or the litigation process. For nearly three decades Attorney Evan A. Gould has assisted individuals, employees, business entities, attorneys, claims adjusters and other litigants to resolve their issues and help them reach acceptable settlements.

Mr. Gould takes pride in getting difficult cases resolved, big or small, and helping the parties involved obtain their goals. Mr. Gould is known for going above and beyond, even after the mediation is over, to offer any assistance he can to help the parties close a deal. As a result, Mr. Gould has an overall mediation success rate of well over 80%.

Mr. Gould has mediated hundreds of cases of various types including:



• ADA Access Claims
• Assault Claims
• Animal Injury Claims
• Battery Claims
• Boundary Disputes
• Business Disputes
• Contract Disputes
• Commission Claims
• Construction Disputes
• Discrimination Claims
• Domestic Disputes
• Dental Malpractice Claims
• Elder Abuse Claims
• Employment Disputes
• Family Disputes
• Financial Disputes
• Fiduciary Duty Claims
• Funeral Home Negligence
• Fraud Claims
• Harassment Claims
• Injury Claims
• Intellectual Property Disputes
• Investment Claims
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Medical Malpractice Claims
• Negligence Claims
• Overtime Claims
• Property Damage Claims
• Retaliation Claims
• Sexual Harassment Claims
• Tort Claims
• Tortious Interference Claims
• Unlawful Detainer
• Uninsured Motorist Claims
• Wage Claims
• Workplace Violence Claims
• Wrongful Termination Claims
• And many others over the course of nearly three decades.