Mediation Services · Lafayette, CA
Resolution Without the Courtroom.
In the sport of boxing, there's a reason they say: never leave it in the judges' hands. The same principle applies to all disputes. Mediation gives you the opportunity to control the outcome before someone else, such as a judge or jury, controls it for you. It's confidential, efficient, and built around a simple idea: create your own resolution — or risk having one imposed on you.
About the Mediator
Derek Wagley is a California attorney, certified mediator, and longtime real estate broker. He regularly mediates civil disputes and brings more than two decades of legal, business, and real estate experience to the mediation process. His approach is practical, direct, and focused on helping parties evaluate risk and determine whether a negotiated resolution can be reached. Often times there can be a significant savings of both time and money if parties are willing to mediate.
Disputes I Mediate
Real Estate Disputes
Real estate disputes may involve purchase and sale agreements, disclosure claims, deposits, property condition, broker or agent disputes, co-ownership, partition, easements, boundaries, HOA issues, and other disagreements involving real property.
Trust, Estate & Probate Disputes
Disputes involving trusts, estates, probate matters, beneficiaries, trustees, executors, inheritance issues, property distribution, and disagreements among family members or fiduciaries.
Construction & Contractor Disputes
Disputes involving contractors, homeowners, construction defects, workmanship, payment, project scope, delays, repairs, and residential or commercial construction agreements.
Business & Partnership Disputes
Disputes between business owners, partners, members, shareholders, customers, vendors, or contracting parties involving ownership, money, management, performance, or dissolution.
Landlord–Tenant Disputes
Disputes involving residential or commercial leases, rent, security deposits, property condition, repairs, lease obligations, possession, move-outs, and other landlord–tenant issues.
Personal Injury Disputes
Mediation of personal injury claims involving accidents, damages, liability, insurance coverage, medical expenses, lost income, and settlement disputes.
Employment & Workplace Disputes
Disputes involving employers, employees, compensation, workplace conduct, termination, contracts, and other employment-related disagreements.
Neighbor & Property Disputes
Disputes involving property boundaries, fences, trees, easements, encroachments, drainage, shared driveways, nuisance claims, and other conflicts between neighboring property owners.
Insurance & Property Damage Disputes
Disputes involving insurance claims, coverage issues, property damage, repair costs, valuation, and disagreements concerning responsibility for a loss.
Family & Divorce Mediation
Mediation involving divorce, separation, property division, financial issues, and other family disputes where the parties are seeking a negotiated resolution.
Mediation for Attorneys and Their Clients
Counsel are welcome to contact the office directly regarding available mediation dates. Mediations may be conducted by Zoom or in person, depending on the matter and the needs of the parties.
How it works
Initial consultation
We begin with a confidential conversation to understand the nature of the dispute, the parties involved, and whether mediation is the right fit.
Joint sessions
Both parties meet with Derek in a structured setting, either in person at our Lafayette office or via Zoom. Ground rules are established, each side is heard fully, and the conversation is guided toward areas of potential agreement.
Private caucuses
When needed, Derek meets separately with each party to explore concerns that are difficult to raise in a joint setting — and to test potential solutions.
Written agreement
When agreement is reached, the terms are documented in a written memorandum. Parties may then have independent counsel review and formalize the agreement.
Get Started
Mediation Intake Form
Complete this form to begin the mediation intake process. Derek will review your submission and reach out within one business day to discuss next steps.
Ready to explore mediation?
A confidential consultation is the first step. Serving Lafayette, Lamorinda, and the SF Bay Area — we will discuss your situation, answer your questions, and help you decide whether mediation is the right path forward.