About Mediator Mario Melendez
History
Through his 13 years of working at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Mario Melendez developed an adept skill to resolving and settling employment discrimination disputes. First, as a Senior Federal Investigator, where he investigated over 1,500 cases of various types (race, national origin, color, disability, age, religion, genetics, retaliation, sex-including pregnancy and sexual harassment), and worked as a Systemic Investigator, developing large class cases. Thereafter, Mario worked as an ADR Mediator mediating over 500 complex cases while attaining one of the highest resolution rates at the Commission and in 2020 broke the record for resolving the most cases at the EEOC Los Angeles District Office's 32-year history.
Mario holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from UNLV and a master's degree in Conflict Resolution from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, which consistently ranks #1 for having the best Conflict Resolution programs in the nation.
Mario's success stems from his philosophy and belief that empathy is the gateway to resolutions. His motto is, "helping others be in a better place than they were before they came to me for assistance." Those who have participated in a mediation with Mario have stated he is highly knowledgeable, patient, fair, great communicator, understanding of both parties, and is objective.
In his spare time, he volunteers as an Ombuds/Mediator for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, helping military service members and their respective employers resolve their USERRA law employment disputes. Mario's personal philosophy of giving first class service comes from previously working at 5-star properties for several years prior to working for the government, and that is the type of customer service he provides to his clients. Mario looks forward to helping you and your client(s) resolve their employment disputes and avoid costly litigation.
How Mediation Can Help You
When conflicts are resolved through mediation people are able to move on and focus their attention, energy and resources on other important matters of their life and business. In most cases people are stuck in their positions, but through Mario's vast experience he is able to guide them into their interests and puts them in a better place to resolve their problems. It is natural for people to be nervous about going to mediation, especially if it's their first time. However, once it is over, parties often say it feels like a ton of bricks have been lifted off their shoulders.
There are hidden costs of conflicts that when not resolve can lead to a decrease in low morale, decline in work performance, increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, higher employee turnover, and increased lawsuits and claims. Mario stopped investigating employment discrimination cases because he saw the toll they have on parties, and it is almost always emotionally and financially draining. Through mediation, parties maintain greater control over the process and outcome of their conflict, usually with substantial savings of cost, time, opportunity costs and aggravation. Litigation on the other hand, gives parties the least amount of control.
Everyone wants justice and to be vindicated. Unfortunately, the justice system is not all what it is cracked up to be and it can be disappointing, as there are no guarantees of winning, and even when there is a favorable verdict, a win is not always a win when you go through (and lose) so much in the process to get there.
Mediation Style
Mario is a master at facilitative and evaluative mediation styles. He is able to quickly adapt to parties' preferences. Mario is respectful, courteous and exceeds clients' needs by going above and beyond their expectations. Mario is patient and will work as hard and as long as it takes to get the job done. He maintains his neutrality throughout the entire mediation process and helps the parties assess their risk. He is able to walk them through their best case and worse case scenarios based on the legal facts of the case.
Mario has a calming voice and demeanor which allows the parties to openly express their feelings and emotions, leading to their underlying interests and ultimately to peace and resolution.
See the Difference
Mario's statistics speak for themselves. While working at the EEOC 99.5% of employers and 97.5% of charging parties said they would go to mediation again, even if their cases didn't resolve. On average, 74% of his cases are resolved within the first 4 hours of mediation. Mario believes in fairness, and he backs it up with his prices. To that end, Mario charges $325 per hour, which includes reviewing mediation briefs that reasonable in length, and other circumstantial and direct evidence, at no additional cost.
Mario is also an expert in preventing and managing conflict which is instrumental in cases where there is an ongoing conflict between parties. He has extensive training, and has coached countless of customers using the Cinergy Conflict Coaching Model. He is also a certified trainer in the Myers Briggs Training Institute program, trained in EQi 2.0 (emotional intelligence), DISC behavioral training, and certified in Crucial Conversations training.
Mario is also bilingual in Spanish, 17% of the cases he investigated, and 12% of cases he mediated with the Commission consisted of monolingual Spanish speakers.
Testimonials
"Mario, or should I call him Super Mario helped us resolve a highly tense case. I did not think we had a snowball chance in hell this case would resolve, but thanks to him, we were able to settle the matter."
Andrew Stewart, Esq.- Plaintiff Attorney (Showa Law Firm)
"Mario is one of the best and most effective mediators I have ever had (and in 19 years of practice, I've encountered many!). Would mediate again and request him."
Courtney Thompson, Esq.- Employer Attorney
"I am very grateful to Mario. I cannot think of a better experience that I had. He explained all I should expect during the process. I am very satisfied and relieved with the results. He did a terrific job! He was very fair to both parties involved. He is very dedicated, knowledgeable, I have the highest respect for him."
J.D. Smith-Plaintiff
"Mario is a gifted and highly talented mediator."
Sarah Wang, Esq. Employer Attorney (Marr Jones & Wang Law Firm)
"Excellent negotiation techniques by Mario. He used useful tools of negotiation and explained them well."
Kristina Holman, Esq.- Plaintiff Attorney
"Mario did an excellent job. This was the first mediation I had with him, and he exceeded my expectations."
Bruce Young, Esq.- Employer Attorney
"Mario handled another difficult mediation with professionalism, courtesy, and good deal of hard work on his part, with excellent results for both sides!"
Jenny Foley Ph.D., Plaintiff Attorney, (HKM Law Firm)
"Mario is a highly respected and sought-after mediator. We have used Mario on several occasions, and he did not disappoint. He had creative solutions, showed excellent communication skills. I don't think we could have resolved our matters without his assistance."
-Employer representative for a Fortune 500 company
"If it feels like the conflict has been living in your mind rent free, taking up precious time and space, at a certain time in your life, whether at mediation or otherwise, evict them into the universe and retake control of your life."
Mario Melendez
