Steve Lopez, Esq. MA – Experienced Spanish Speaking Mediator and Los Angeles Mediator

Education and ADR Training

University of West Los Angeles School of Law, JD, Doctor of Law

California State University, Long Beach, BS, Electrical Engineering

California State University, Dominguez Hills, MA, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding

Master's Coursework:  Negotiations, Mediation, Marital and Family Mediation, Probate Mediation, Arbitration, Online Dispute Resolution, Ethics in Negotiations and Conflict Resolution, Conflict and Communication, Theories of Conflict, Intercultural Conflict, Conflict Resolution in Schools, and Research and Design of Conflict Resolution Systems.

Other: Native Spanish speaking, offering culturally sensitive mediation services.

Professional Experience & Statement

I am a fully bilingual Spanish-speaking attorney and mediator with more than 23 years of experience as a trial lawyer and over 9 years of experience mediating civil, family, probate, and real estate disputes. My mission is to help parties resolve conflict efficiently, respectfully, and without the financial and emotional toll of prolonged litigation—especially when one side is self-represented or monolingual in Spanish.

As a litigator, I have conducted numerous jury and bench trials to verdict, representing individuals and businesses across a broad range of disputes, including business and partnership conflicts, wage and hour violations, sexual harassment, habitability claims, personal injury, and landlord–tenant matters. This extensive courtroom experience allows me to help parties in mediation evaluate risk, understand likely trial outcomes, and craft fair and durable settlements.

In family law, I have handled hundreds of divorces, custody, visitation, and move-away cases and have served as a Daily Settlement Officer at the Whittier Courthouse, assisting families in reaching resolution outside of trial. I also have a strong background in probate and trust litigation—handling will contest, trustee removals, and family property disputes—and I currently devote a large portion of my practice to real estate matters involving California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) forms and disclosure issues.

My mediation style blends evaluative and facilitative methods, emphasizing clarity, empathy, and practical solutions. I take time to understand each case's nuances, review all materials in advance, and tailor the process to the needs of the parties. Whether the conflict arises from a business relationship, real estate transaction, family dispute, or civil lawsuit, I draw on both my litigation and mediation experience to guide parties toward resolution with professionalism, fairness, and cultural sensitivity.

Mediation Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Pre-Litigation Mediation
• Business Litigation
• Community Associations
• Condominiums
• Construction
• Contract Disputes
• Customer List Disputes
• Disability and Disability Access

• Discrimination
• Employment
• Family Businesses
• Landlord/Tenant
• Libel & Slander
• Mortgage Foreclosure
• Noncompetition Agreements
• Partnerships
• Probate & Trust Litigation

• Property Damage
• Mortuary Negligence
• Sexual Harassment
• Title Disputes
• Trade Secret
• Trusts / Estates
• Unfair Competition
• Wage Order Violation

Mediation Experience

Daily Settlement Officer – Family Law Division, Los Angeles Superior Court (Whittier Courthouse)
Appointed as a Daily Settlement Officer for the Whittier Courthouse, I assist family law litigants in resolving divorce, custody, and support disputes through guided negotiation. My role emphasizes practical solutions that avoid trial, reinforcing my experience as a trusted divorce mediator in Los Angeles, especially in high-conflict and high-asset family law cases.

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Mediator – Center for Conflict Resolution
Facilitate online mediation sessions focused on small claims and landlord-tenant disputes, helping parties resolve issues such as rental agreements, deposit conflicts, and minor civil claims. My remote mediation services are ideal for individuals seeking an experienced Los Angeles landlord-tenant mediator or small claims resolution without court intervention.

Mediation Panelist – Los Angeles Superior Court, Civil Division
Volunteer mediator for a wide range of civil matters including breach of contract, business disputes, real estate issues, and personal injury claims. I work to reduce court caseloads while helping parties find mutually acceptable outcomes, positioning me as a highly versatile civil mediator serving clients across Los Angeles County.

Affiliations

• Member, California State Bar
• Member, Southeast Bar Association

Office Locations

• Location: Los Angeles County, Orange County, and Available via Zoom Video Conference or Microsoft Teams

Looking for a Spanish-speaking mediator in Los Angeles? Steve Lopez is dedicated to helping clients achieve fair and equitable resolutions through professional mediation services. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Steve offers a client-focused, practical, and results-oriented approach to resolving disputes. Whether you're navigating family conflicts, divorce, or other legal disputes, Steve Lopez is a trusted mediator committed to efficient and effective outcomes.