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CLIENT QUOTES
Someone we’ve
found to be terrific is Lisa Krakow, a former Paul Hastings Of Counsel
who earlier did plaintiff’s employent work and hence seems to have
credibility with everyone. She’s brilliant and creative, comes
better-prepared than even the two sides, and does not tire in the least
no matter how grueling the process is. She is an expert in California
employment law. She takes control of the process and does not let renegade
attorneys get out of hand. She also doesn’t hesitate to tell parties
when they have a terrible case, and she is exceptionally good at educating
the parties about the problems they face and what they mean. She definitely
is not one of the ‘split the baby’ types who just adds up
the offer and demand and divides by two. We rate her right up there with
the Gregorio Haldeman firm, albeit more accessible and at more reasonable
rates.
I remain
incredibly impressed at the amount of work you did to get the parties
to a settlement yesterday. My client and I came away absolutely
exhausted; I cannot imagine how tired you were. Your knowledge of the
law is vital to crafting a settlement in technically difficult employment
cases like ours. This is particularly true when the client representative
is an employment lawyer, as mine is. I have encountered few mediators
with your ability to debate the finer points of the law and your willingness
to tell us when we were full of baloney. Although I was not in the other
room, I have a sense that you were equally good at relating to a plaintiff
who was quite invested emotionally in the case. Those things, by themselves,
would be more than enough to make anyone in the employment law community
come back to you again and again. But the fact that you are such a delightful
person made the experience almost fun. Thank you again.
I am writing
in appreciation for the services you provided as mediator in an employment
disputed handled by my office. As a Los Angeles-based litigator handling
exclusively employment cases, I have had the occasion to work with many
of the well-known, frequently-used private mediators in California. You
belong in their ranks. I have rarely seen such a commitment to the mediation
process, nor such a level of preparation.
I was extremely
impressed with Lisa Krakow, in front of whom I settled a very difficult
employment case . . . Lisa was not only extremely sharp, knowledgeable
about the case and tenacious, but she was also able to gain the trust
of our in pro per plaintiff . . . I feel strongly that the case would
not have settled in front of most other mediators.
You really exceeded my wildest dreams for the mediation. Going into
the mediation, I thought there was a 0% chance the case would settle.
I had an emotional, intransigent small business owner and client, and
on the other side, an attorney and plaintiff expecting a six-figure settlement
. . . Your presentation and explanation of the mediation process, your
blunt yet professional 'reality check' approach . . . your hard work
convincing my client to offer some money, and hard work getting the other
side to realize they had serious problems with their case, won the day.
I could not be happier.
Lisa was
efficient, effective and very intuitive . . . Lisa is a top-notch mediator.
Thank you
for your assistance with our recent mediation. We found you to be, at
all times, understanding, insightful and completely professional. You
have the rare ability to listen objectively to both sides . . . We recognize
the exceptional value that you bring to the mediation process.
I believe
that you did an inspired job at the mediation. You were fair, pragmatic,
doggedly determined, and incredibly gifted in social dynamics.
You are a rock star! Thank you again for your efforts yesterday. My
clients were very impressed and [ ] from [the insurance company] said
a few times that you were the best mediator he's ever worked with (and
he's worked with all the "big names" in California, by the
way). I will definitely recommend you to others in my firm, and I will
look forward to having the opportunity to work with you again.
I highly
recommend Lisa Krakow as a mediator. She settled a very tough whistleblower
case for me yesterday. High energy, very knowledgeable, stayed late,
reasonable fee. Funny, too.
I just want
to reiterate how much we enjoyed working with you. You did a wonderful
job with a very difficult case. There is no question in my mind that
the outcome was in the best interest of all involved.
Thank you
so much for your hard work, sense of humor, sense of fairness and commitment
to reaching a settlement . . . This case had many
possible barriers to settlement, and while you saw each of them, you
also saw ways around, under, over or through the barriers. Your insights
were credible and persuasive, and we never felt you ‘just wanted
to get this over and get out!’ – which we certainly would
have understood! We were all impressed. I have already recommended you
to several colleagues, and hope they will be fortunate enough to have
your assistance. As I sat there last week, I was thinking of prior unsettled
cases and – like a V-8 commercial – lamenting in my mind, “AHH,
I coulda had a Krakow!
I wanted to say thanks again for your outstanding work on the [ ] matter.
That you successfully handled the unique challenges that this case presented
proves yet again that you belong on the very short list of A+ mediators.
I believe that many very talented mediators would not have been able
to resolve this case. That you did speaks volumes to your skill, talent,
effort and abilities.
I just had to tell you that you are a mediator extraordinaire.
Although I am not an attorney, I want you to know how impressed I was
with you in that mediation . . . It was a pleasure watching you in action.
You are brilliant, witty, perceptive and professional and were successful
in bringing the case to settlement – quite an accomplishment! [My
daughter] said there would not have been a settlement if you were not
the mediator. It is apparent to me that you like what you do . . . I
want to personally thank you for all of your efforts in helping to conclude
my daughter’s case. I will gladly recommend you to anyone in my
office who asks for the name of a good mediator. I will tell them that
you are not only good, but outstanding. Thank you again for an extraordinary
job. It was an honor meeting you.
I wanted to let you know that you were nothing short of phenomenal.
This truly is your calling. I will continue to recommend you in every
case I have, and I have a feeling [my client] will do the same. [My client]
described you as ‘brilliant’ and she is right. You are the
best . . . thanks for all your hard work (and I know it was extremely
hard work)!
Thanks Lisa. As always, your boundless energy and tenacity are
greatly appreciated.
It was --
and will be again -- my pleasure and privilege to work with a mediator
so perceptive, challenging, prepared and dedicated.
Lisa Krakow
was truly awesome . . . Having a mediator with a strong grasp of employment
law nuances was crucial for this case.
I can’t thank you enough for your great work yesterday.
Your level of preparation, as always, was top notch and you made many
good points to give the client a realistic view of the case. He was really
impressed with you and told his boss that we should be using you for
all their mediations out here. He was not optimistic about this process
at the start of the day so you made my job very easy.
I find it extremely rare that you meet talented, educated and
personable individuals in our present day society. I must express my
deep gratification and enjoyment at not only watching you work during
the mediation but your warmth and enthusiasm during the course of the
day. Your wit, humor and global knowledge made a tedious and emotional
day less stressful and at times enjoyable.
Thank you
very much for all your help in resolving the matter we mediated yesterday.
This was a difficult and painful event. You demonstrated a superior understanding
of the law, an extraordinary patience and understanding, and an incredibly
high degree of tolerance for conduct by my client that I myself found
extremely offensive. You are a credit to your profession and I sincerely
hope we get the opportunity to work together again.