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One Scott Circle NW, Suite 8
Washington,
District of Columbia
20036
Phone: 202-265-2630
Fax: 202-265-2643
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Lynn Andretta Profile
Mediation Experience & Profile
In the mid-eighties I opened a solo pratice which continues to date. I have mediated or arbitrated several hundred cases in that time, beginning pro bono for the DC Superior Court and the Better Business Bureau. These primarily involved workplace disputes and various forms of employment discrimination, family and alternative (gay) family law, landlord/tenant disputes and small business/contractor/consumer claims.
Relevant Professional Background
Recent Continuing Legal Education Courses:
- Getting the Most Out of Court Mediation (DC Bar, 2004)
- Representing Clients in the Mediation of Employment Disputes (DC Bar, 2001)
- Advanced Negotiation Skills Workshop (DC Bar/GWU, 2000)
- How to Mediate Employment Claims (DC Bar/GWU, 1999)
- Advanced Agreement/Contract Writing Seminar (GULC, 1999)
Square Trade Online Mediator (Certified, 2003)
Better Business Bureau (Autoline and Construction)--Trained by Moira Duggan, first as Arbitrator and then as Senior Arbitrator (Certified, 1985 and 1986)
American Bar Association/DC Superior Court Multi-Door Experimental Program--Trained in family law for the program's "freshman" class by Linda Singer and Michael Lewis, Center for Dispute Resolution. Ms. Singer said "Lynn's a natural at Mediation." (Certified, 1987)
NLRB Advice Attorney (1975 to 1985) When I left the NLRB, I was a GS-14 supervising six other attorneys. My specialty was in exploring the boundaries between the NLRB and the EEOC. We expanded the meaning of "collective bargaining" to include individuals when acting in behalf of others.
Indiana University, School of Law (JurisDoctor with honors, 1975) Concentrated on Civil Rights, Individual Rights and Labor Law. Did my first arbitration case under the aegis of my mentor, Professor Jack Getman, now of Harvard University.
References:
- Hon. Birch Bayh, Former Chair, Senate Judiciary Commitee Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, Venable, , LLP, 575 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC
- Harold J. Datz, Esq., Chief Counsel, National Labor Relations Board, 1099 14th Street, NW, Suite 11404, Washington, DC 20570
- Jack C. Hanna, Esq., American Bar Association, Director, Dispute Resolution Section, Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC
- Carlos Velez, JD, Director of Training, National Minority Aids Council, 1624 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009
- DC Superior Court, Volunteer Mediator, 1985 - 2003
- Better Business Bureau, Volunteer Arbitrator, 1985 - 2003
- Whitman-Walker Volunteer Attorney, 1992 - 2003
Mediation Philosophy
Approach to mediation
My strategies keep the parties focused and solution-oriented. I emphasize the confidentiality and speed of mediation, as well as its low cost and versatility compared to litigation.
Even though the result will be a binding contract between two parties which needn't follow legal precedent, I believe the mediator or arbitrator should be an attorney well grounded in the letter of the relevant law. The parties involved frequently request to know what the outcome would be if they reached impasse during mediation and were forced to litigate. Such reality checks can be invaluable in the mediation process.
If the parties are at an impasse and request me to do so, I will suggest possible compromise solutions. It is important to recognize that the mediator is at all times a neutral and, therefore, is representing neither of the two parties. Also, if the parties reach impasse and request it, the mediation can be turned into an arbitration. After the settlement agreement is signed, I tear up my notes so that if the settlement doesn't succeed, it would be useless for a court to call me as a witness in any subsequest litigation. Confidentiality is sacred in this process and the only instance in which it may be breached is if the welfare of a child is at stake.
Description of Practice
What sets my practice apart from others is my desire, not only to reach a workable settlement, but also to set the parties on the road toward healing their relationship. When people come to my mediation table they must adopt a win/win attitude and recognize that that will involve compromise. Once the negotiation has resulted in a settlement agreement that suits both parties, they can continue as employer / employee, as parents cooperatively raising minor children, as landlord / tenant or as small business / customer or contractor with a more civil approach to each other.
In the mid-eighties I opened a solo pratice which continues to date. I have mediated or arbitrated several hundred cases in that time, beginning pro bono for the DC Superior Court and the Better Business Bureau. These primarily involved workplace disputes and various forms of employment discrimination, family and alternative (gay) family law, landlord/tenant disputes and small business/contractor/consumer claims.
Please email us or visit our website for additional information.
