Dennis Cohen

Description of Practice

I have been a Family Law attorney for 40 years and a mediator for the last 20 years.  My office is on a classic motor yacht in Marina del Rey, California.    

In 1999, I founded Settlement Works and began to explore a new approach to legal conflicts. Using traditional mediation as a cornerstone, this evolving approach offers an efficient resolution of legal disputes while addressing and healing the unresolved emotional issues of divorce and other types of family and civil conflicts. 
Using this approach I have mediated hundreds of Family Law and Civil Litigation matters.

Professional Background

I have been practicing law in California since 1975. My primary focus has always been Family Law, but I've also spent considerable with civil litigation matters. Although I've always had a settlement approach to the practice of law, I began actively mediating in 1999. I have been on the Los Angeles Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel since 2000.

Mediation Experience

I am a graduate of UCLA School of Law and hold a B.A. in Psychology from Arizona State University. I received specialty training from Mosten Mediation Training Center, the Los Angeles County Bar Association Dispute Resolutions Services, and the Strauss institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine School of Law.
I have mediated upwards of a thousand cases, mostly involving Family Law or other relationship issues, such as Partnership dissolution.

Mediation Approach & Philosophy

I look at mediation as an opportunity to engage in an informative exchange of ideas and opinions, while helping litigants resolve their differences with an economically and emotionally beneficial outcome. While successful mediation often entails several styles of dispute resolution, the most important element is safety. My goal is to empower the clients to appropriately express their wants and needs, while they develop and practice listening with a reasonable level of receptivity. I believe clients should be given a basic understanding of the laws at issue, so they can make informed decisions. I usually share my analysis and viewpoint freely with both parties, helping them see the strengths and weaknesses of their case. Although mediation can be very serious and have a significant impact on a party, I find it helpful to create a relaxed atmosphere with as much lightness as is appropriate and possible. At Settlement Works, we are fortunate to have our mediation on a classic Chris Craft motor yacht ("Concordance") in Marina del Rey. Our clients tell us that the relaxing environment greatly reduces the stress of the meeting process. Personally, I find that communication flows more freely “on the water.” More often than not a client's wistful comment on the beautiful life going on outside, is all it takes to get the parties thinking that it really is time to work things out.

Representative Cases Handled as a Mediator

Multitude of cases involving dissolution of marriage. Testimonials are available under Settlement Works at Yelp.com

Complex Case Experience

Only as a litigator

Fees

$350 per hour

References

Testimonials are available under Settlement Works at Yelp.com

Other Information

Offices are on a classic Chris Craft Yacht in Marina del Rey

Stats

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