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Attorney
By
Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession
Who?
What?
Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
Full-time ADR neutral, practicing arbitration and mediation in
commercial, international and employment cases.
When?
Years in Practice Area:
Since 1992.
Years in the Legal Profession:
Since 1971.
Where?
Employer:
Louise A. LaMothe, A Professional Corporation
http://www.dispute-solutions.com
Size/Sector:
Solo practitioner
City/State:
Santa Barbara, CA
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Law School:
Stanford
Other Post-Graduate Education:
Additional ADR training at Pepperdine Law School, Straus
Institute for Dispute Resolution
Undergraduate School/Degree:
Stanford, A.B. History
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Why?
Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Helping litigants to resolve their commercial and employment disputes
in a private environment. Demands creativity and the ability to
relate well to a broad variety of people.
Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Legal skills are vital, and so it emotional intelligence, particularly
when working as a mediator. It helps to have had an extensive
legal career in traditional practice areas before embarking on
work as a professional neutral.
Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice
Area:
It takes time to gain acceptance as a neutral even if you are
well credentialed and well known in one or more a substantive
practice areas. Start your ADR practice part time while continuing
your law practice and get specialized training in dispute resolution
skills.
How?
Career Path to Current Position:
Litigation specialist for 20+ years. Gradually began ADR work
in volunteer capacity in court-annexed programs, then invited
to join the general commercial and specialized panels of the American
Arbitration Association.
Influences and Mentors:
As a young lawyer, Prentice Marshall, former United States District
Judge, Northern District of Illinois, was an important mentor.
Now, other thoughtful arbitrators and mediators are my mentors.
Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
Cooley, Mediation Advocacy (N.I.T.A. 1996), Atlas, Huber,
Trachte-Huber, eds. Alternative Dispute Resolution: The Litigator's
Handbook, (ABA Section of Litigation 2000) Cooley & Lubet,
Arbitration Advocacy (N.I.T.A. 1997)
Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
Begin by volunteering; when you have established a group of lawyers
who have used your services, you can begin to charge for your
services. Consider expanding your presence by establishing a website.
Bar Affiliations and Activities:
Former Chair, ABA Section of Litigation; former member,
ABA House of Delegates; Member, American Law Institute, member Board
of Driectors, National Institute for Trial Advocacy.
Recent Professional Publications:
Avoiding Potholes in Mandatory Employment Arbitration:
A Look at Recent California Decisions, AAA Dispute Resolution
Journal 18 (May/July 2003)
Mediate Your Real Estate Case-OR Else!, Santa Barbara Lawyer
12 (June 2003)
Recent Professional Presentations:
Mediating the Complex Case, The Sedona Conference
on Complex Litigation (2002)
Memorable Career Moment:
Election as the second woman to head the ABA's Section of Litigation. For the first time in the Section's history, the Nominating Committee's choice (me) had to participate in a run-off in order to be chosen.
Intriguing Interests:
Mom to 14 year old son. A great challenge and equally
great joy.
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