Experience

Christine Allen practiced personal injury litigation for over 18 years in Southern California.  In the process, she became a huge fan of the mediation process and settled many of her cases through mediation. She eventually set up “Mediation Days” at her office, bringing in a mediator and handling two to three cases in one day. As a result, Christine decided to become a mediator herself. She completed mediation training at the Pepperdine University Straus Institute in 2004.

Since the majority of Christine’s career was as a defense attorney for a house counsel firm, she has a good understanding of how insurance companies operate, and understands the pressures defense attorneys and claims representatives face. She treats attorneys and claims representatives with respect, while simultaneously extending compassion and understanding to plaintiffs. Christine listens well and makes sure that everyone feels heard. She points out the downsides of each party's case, and litigation in general, in a way that is palatable and non-threatening.

Christine has mediated over 500 cases since 2004, settling approximately 90% of them. After being an independent mediator for six years, Christine has now joined the panel of Judicate West, and handles cases at all of their Southern California locations.

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Mediation Style

As one attorney has stated, Christine's style is "authentic, disarming and from the heart."  Unlike some mediators, Christine rarely has parties set forth their positions in an open session at the start of the mediation.  She finds that it normally only serves to alienate the parties at the outset. It then takes longer to get them to come around to being willing to negotiate. Christine comes to the mediation well prepared after reading the briefs. She gets right to work.  She does not spend much time telling "war stories" about other cases, which she feels rarely helps get a case resolved. Christine is also adept at the use of humor as a tool in mediation. She is well aware that litigation and the practice of law are stressful, and she tries to make the mediation a pleasant experience.

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Testimonials

"Christine Allen is an excellent mediator. She is low key, but effective. She is tenacious and patient. She is an experienced litigator with good ‘people skills’ so she relates well to litigants and counsel. She is direct, but not pushy. She treats the parties with dignity and respect. I highly recommend her as a mediator."
                                                         

"Hi Christine. Thank you for everything you did yesterday. My client very much appreciated the hug. For me, you restored my waning faith in the legal profession. It is really nice to know there is at least one other attorney out there with a heart." 

                                                      
"Christine, I want you to know that you did a great job yesterday. Success is obviously not always measured by the amount of money but the inclusiveness and acknowledgement that clients feel in going through the process.You were outstanding on both."


Click here to read more testimonials.

Click here for Christine's client list of attorneys/law firms/insurance companies.


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Rates

Two party case: $300.00 per hour with a three-hour minimum.
Three or more parties/sides: $300.00 per hour with a five-hour minimum.

Cancellation policy:  If the case is cancelled or continued within 14 days of the scheduled hearing date and Christine is able to fill the time with another mediation, a full refund will be given. If Christine is not able to fill the time with another mediation, no refund will be given.

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Biography/Education

Christine was raised in Waterloo, Iowa. She attended Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She moved to California after graduation. Thereafter, she began law school at Southwestern University in Los Angeles. She later switched to Western State University after moving from Los Angeles to Orange County. She graduated near the top of her class. She attended Pepperdine University Strauss Institute for mediation training in 2004. She is married and has a grown daughter and son.  She enjoys spending time with family and friends, running at the beach, watching sunsets, horseback riding, dancing, yoga, golf, and watching Lakers games.  

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