Case Manager: Sydney Wright
Geri Green, Esq. is a full-time mediator and discovery referee. She has successfully mediated and presided over nearly 1,000 disputes in the areas of Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Business, Employment, Real Estate, Landlord-Tenant, Insurance Coverage, Civil Rights & Disability Rights, Police Misconduct, Probate, and Elder Abuse.
MEDIATION
Ms. Green is described as a “true neutral” who zeroes in on the strengths and weaknesses of a case with surgical precision. Her straight-forward approach and open-minded pragmatism generates the trust necessary for litigants to entertain the possibility of resolution and arrive at solutions. She is known for settling impossible cases by connecting with litigants and “bringing them on board for the ride.”
Ms. Green’s approach to dispute resolution is shaped by her diverse background – as a litigator representing both plaintiffs and defendants, as general counsel, and her owner/management experience in the hospitality industry. Her commitment to the settlement process is demonstrated by her early immersion in a case and connection with counsel. She works closely with the parties to realistically assess risks and impediments to resolution. Her thorough preparation, exceptional listening skills, and judicious, evenhanded approach leads to creative solutions for intractable problems.
As a Settlement Officer for the Superior Courts of San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, and Contra Costa, Ms. Green has conducted settlement conferences in most areas of the law and gained a reputation as one of the most successful settlement officers serving the Bay Area.
DISCOVERY
Litigating early ESI cases, including the “largest [ESI] case ever filed in the Northern District,” Ms. Green developed expertise in E-Discovery matters, and even developed her own software and systems to manage them. As a discovery referee, she has presided over discovery matters in a wide variety of cases, such as family law, probate, personal injury, real estate, fraud, medical malpractice, construction defect, employment, civil rights, sexual harassment, and allegations of sexual abuse at educational institutions. Due to her extensive trial and appellate experience and evidence scholarship, she has the expertise to handle complex privilege claims and ESI matters. Ms. Green sits as Discovery Judge Pro Tem, Facilitator, Referee, and Special Master at courts around the Bay Area.
Geri Lynn Green, Esq. – ADR (2015-present)
Principle, Green & Green (1987-2015)
General Counsel, Devereux Creek Properties and Ocean Meadows Golf Course (2000-2015)
Owner, Taverna Aventine (2008-2019)
Management, Entertainment/hospitality venues (1980-1990)
Adjunct Professor, New College of Law, Evidence (1996-2000)
Geri Green is a frequent presenter at law schools, universities, continuing education seminars and programs for attorneys, including: University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law), UC Berkeley Law School, Stanford, Golden Gate University, American Bar Association, Bar Association of San Francisco, Alameda County Bar Association, The Claremont Colleges, United Nations. Topics have included: evidence, discovery, electronic discovery, international law, negotiation & ADR related practice, RICO, Sexual Harassment and Abuse, Discrimination.
“Geri Green’s approach to mediation yielded results where others failed, and her dedication to finding a path forward was instrumental. Her expertise and experience in the field of mediation were evident, and her professionalism was commendable.”
“Geri Green is truly a master at her craft, and her ability to navigate even the most complex and challenging disputes is a testament to her unique talents and unwavering dedication to success.”
“Geri Green is an exceptional mediator who demonstrated her ability to effectively navigate a challenging case that had previously eluded resolution by two other top mediators. Her tireless efforts and commitment to success resulted in a positive outcome. Her approach to mediation yielded results where others failed, and her dedication to finding a path forward was instrumental. Ms. Green’s expertise and experience in the field of mediation were evident, and her professionalism was commendable. She is truly a master at her craft, and her ability to navigate even the most complex and challenging disputes is a testament to her unique talents and unwavering dedication to success.”
“Geri was extremely insightful in understanding the points, goals and concerns of the parties and their counsel. With grace and compassion, she got through the emotions and old grievances to get to the heart of what the parties needed to come to a resolution—and she did create resolution that satisfied the parties, their attorneys and offered a solution to the problem that this case presented. She was extremely professional had excellent time management, technical and legal procedural skills She kept us all on track, managed complex technology and guided us all through it, as needed. Geri had an excellent command of the law, the procedure, the mediation rules and ethical issues and the practical experience to make this mediation a valuable process for all concerned.”
“Geri Green who was our mediator over the course of three sessions, and a period of weeks, who managed a contentious process with skill, heart and good humor. I would use her again in a heart beat!”
“I remain impressed with the way Ms. Green approaches any situation with professionalism, civility, and compassion. She is committed, fair and thorough, allowing all parties to feel safe and heard. In one instance, I watched as Ms. Green adeptly handled an emotionally charged litigated dispute involving numerous staff members and students. With her steady hand working the situation over the course of weeks, she was able to instill trust, calm all parties, and lead them to a peaceful resolution. I have also observed her ability to handle those suffering with mental health conditions rendering them overly cautious and suspicious. She has a deep understanding of how to communicate and calm even the most challenged, while also managing the needs and expectations of lawyers allowing even the most adverse parties to come to an understanding and resolution.”
“I recently had an occasion to mediate a dispute with Geri Green. It turned out to be a very emotionally charged mediation where the parties had been at odds for decades over deep‐seated trauma. The mediation was complicated by the fact that one participant exhibited signs of dementia. This challenging situation gave me an opportunity to observe Ms. Green’s professionalism and skill as a neutral. It was clear that she has the calm hand and the patience necessary to help people work through their emotions so as to move beyond past traumas in order to find resolution. Her work with the party suffering with dementia evidenced her empathy and compassion, as well as deep understanding of human nature. Ms. Green’s passion for her work as a mediator and consensus builder is evident in everything she does. That coupled with her knowledge and skill in handling conflict makes her extremely effective at bringing parties to resolution. The participants were incredibly happy and very appreciative over the fact that they were finally able to communicate with one another after 30 years of dysfunction, anger, and separation. It was a truly amazing experience for everyone.”
“Ms. Green’s wisdom and vast legal knowledge along with her innate and learned understanding of mental illness, substance abuse, and cross-cultural issues provides her the ability to artfully negotiate even the most challenging and emotionally charged situations. She is fair, thorough, and she addresses every situation as unique, even the most mundane, exhibiting her curiosity and passion for understanding the human condition.”
“Geri is very personable. She listened closely to both sides. I thought we had no chance at resolution, and about seven or eight hours later we settled the case. Geri was able to bring her expertise in criminal law into the conservatorship aspect, which I thought was especially helpful.”
“Geri’s persistence helped resolve a complicated civil rights case eight months after the first mediation session. She was tenacious. I think she did a really good job of focusing on issues, getting to people’s bottom lines and then guiding us on how to negotiate. It was a really difficult case to settle, but she just continued to work with us and helped us finally hammer down the settlement.”
“Geri is tenacious. She was able to analyze the case and determine where pressure could be applied early in the mediation process. She understood the area of law very well and she understood the issues that can be used to forge a settlement. In medical malpractice disputes it can often be especially difficult to persuade the practitioner to consent to a deal. Her one-on-one conversation with my client made all the difference. I think that had a really beneficial impact in moving my client off of the roadblock of consenting. My client was hearing it from somebody he considered to be a true neutral, and I think he really valued the perspective Geri gave.”
“Geri understands the issues, the strict interpretation of the discovery code and will not take sides based on defense or plaintiff. She will tell people to follow the rules and side with those following the code.”
