ADR Panels

Civil Mediator Background Information


DISCLAIMER: This information has been provided by the mediator and has not been independently verified by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside. The Court provides this list of mediators as a public service. The Court does not endorse, recommend, or make any warranty pertaining to the qualifications or competency of any provider on this list. Inclusion on the list is based on the representations of the mediator. The Court assumes no responsibility of liability for any act or omission of any mediator on the list.




Name:
O'Connor, Shelley
Firm Name:
Address:
Shelley O'Connor Mediation
1966 Tice Valley Blvd. #157
Walnut Creek CA 94595
 Phone:
Email:
Website:
925-899-8696
[email protected]
www.oconnormediation.com
BAR Number:
118260
ADR Experience: (Arbitration, Mediation & Settlement Conferences) 
Full-time mediator since 2023 appointed by state and federal courts statewide.
Los Angeles Superior Court Resolve Law LA Settlement Officer / 2023 to present
U.S. District Court Northern District of California Mediation Panel / 2024 to present
Los Angeles Superior Court Mediation Volunteer Panel / 2025 to present
Riverside Superior Court Mediation Panel / 2026 to present
U.S. District Court Central District of California Mediation Panel / 2026 to present
  Remote Services:
This arbitrator / mediator offers their services remotely (over phone/video conferencing technology).
Subject Matter Expertise Area(s):
  • Business
  • Construction
  • Contract
  • Employment
  • Insurance
  • Landlord Tenant / Neighborhood
  • Personal Injury
Languages Spoken:
(Other Than English) 

    

    

        Representation:
    

    

        
Plantiff Representation: 20%
 
Defendant Representation: 80%

    

    

        Current Practice & Professional History (Temp Judge Exp):
    

    

        
Mediator, Shelley O’Connor Mediation, since 2023.

Temp. Judge, Small Claims, Contra Costa Superior Court, 2008-2010 and 2013-2014.

Trial and Appellate Attorney from 1985 to 2022. Career began as house counsel for an insurance carrier for seven years, then accepted a position at a small firm representing plaintiffs and defendants for nine years, and finished litigation career at a larger firm focusing on representing defendants in complex litigation including appeals.


    

    

        Educational Background:
    

    

        
University of Oregon School of Law, J.D.
University of California Santa Barbara, B.A.

    

    

        ADR Training:
    

    

        
Pepperdine School of Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution | Mediating the Litigated Case | 40 | 2023-03-24 | ~United States District Court Northern District of California | Mediation Training | 26 | 2024-10-25 | ~Beverly Hills Bar Association | Secrets Mediators Don't Want to Tell You | 1 | 2025-09-11 | ~Beverly Hills Bar Association | Ego Before the Fall: Top Mediation Crisis Management Tips | 1 | 2025-09-10 | ~Beverly Hills Bar Association | Pacing and Timing of Mediation | 1 | 2025-09-10 | ~Beverly Hills Bar Association | Empathy in Mediation | 1 | 2025-09-10 | ~Los Angeles Superior Court | Seven Habits of Highly Effective Settlement Officers | 1 | 2025-06-13 | ~Beverly Hills Bar Association | AI for Lawyers | 1 | 2025-11-21 | ~Beverly Hills Bar Association | Role of AI in Mediation | 1 | 2025-11-21 | ~ U.S. District Court Northern District of California / Monthly Advanced Mediation Practice Group Meetings / 1.5 hours per meeting

    

    

        Professional Licenses:
    

    

        
California Bar

    

    

        Arbitration Approach:
    

    

        
After reviewing the mediation briefs, I contact counsel individually to discuss the issues in preparation for mediation. In the beginning of the mediation, I reassure parties and counsel that the process is safe and confidential. I share that 98 percent of cases settle before trial and a mediation is an excellent opportunity to reach a settlement today. I find it useful to hear directly from all parties regarding their views of the facts before proceeding with negotiations. I facilitate communication between the parties and assist them in negotiations to overcome an impasse.

    

    

        Briefs & Other:
    

    

        
I require each party to submit a short mediation brief to me and serve it on all opposing counsel at least five court days prior to the mediation. The mediation brief should be no more than 10 pages plus pertinent exhibits. Mediation briefs should describe the facts, issues in dispute, prior negotiations, possible resolutions and any other information that may be useful in resolving the dispute. If the parties want to submit confidential information, I suggest they submit it to me via email or in a supplemental confidential mediation brief to me that is clearly identified as confidential.

    

    

        Fee Information:
    

    

            
Rate Per Hour: $850.00

                    
Rate Per Half Day: $5,000.00

                    
Rate Per Day: $9,000.00

        

    

    

        Locations:
    

    

        
I conduct mediations statewide via Zoom.

    









    DISCLAIMER: This information has been provided by the mediator and has not been independently verified by the Superior Court of California, County of Riverside.
    The Court provides this list of mediators as a public service. The Court does not endorse, recommend, or make any warranty pertaining to the qualifications or
    competency of any provider on this list. Inclusion on the list is based on the representations of the mediator. The Court assumes no responsibility of liability
    for any act or omission of any mediator on the list.