After representing both plaintiffs and defendants in court for more than 30 years, Robert Aune knows how expensive, time-consuming and unpredictable litigation can be. As a result, and using his skills as a mediator, he has demonstrated that mediation is nearly always a better solution, providing a relatively low cost method of bringing parties together cooperatively to reach solutions to problems often thought to be impossible to resolve.

Aune uses his mediation skills, along with his ability to truly understand the needs of the parties, to resolve their disputes. Of the many mediations he has conducted, well over 90% of them have resulted in resolutions.

Aune's background as an engineer before becoming an attorney also has served him well in conducting mediations. He is able, due to his technical background and experience, to both understand technical aspects of complex construction and other cases, and to better approach the individuals' problems in a logical and analytical manner, resulting in more efficient mediation at a lower cost.

Qualifications: More than 30 years as a litigator and trial lawyer, having tried to jury verdict cases in virtually all of the Bay Area counties, as well as Merced and Kings Counties, and United States District Court; more than 20 years as a mediator, arbitrator and San Francisco Superior Court Judge Pro-tem; member of the Bar Association of San Francisco Panel of Mediators; graduate of Hastings College of the Law (Order of the Coif); Martindale & Hubbell "av" rating (highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards).

Hourly Rate: $450 (Two hour deposit required; unused portion refunded if case settles.) Only in-person mediations.