A Mediator Focused on the People, Not the Process
Not every case justifies the expenditure of an established mediator. And too many times, it can feel like the mediator has been there, done that, and gets it before you say a word — and misses the part of the case that matters most to your client.
I believe in mediation. That's why I trained in it. When the process works, parties reach resolution faster, more cleanly, and with a genuine ability to move on. Too often these days, however, mediation feels more like a part of the litigation process than a tool of resolution.
Over the course of my career, I've watched mediation drift toward something more procedural than purposeful. Too often it becomes another step in litigation — a place to test positions and strategies — rather than a place to resolve the dispute.
My approach begins with the people involved, not just the legal claims. Understanding the risks and strengths of a case is important. But understanding the parties' motivations, concerns, and goals is often what makes resolution possible.
Parties need to feel heard and understood — not necessarily agreed with, but genuinely seen — to facilitate resolution. When that happens, people become more willing to listen, engage, and consider moving forward.
To the lawyers handling the file, a case may be one of many. To the people involved, it is their livelihood, their business, or their trauma.
I've litigated employment cases for over 20 years — for plaintiffs, for businesses, and even as a personal litigant through trial and appeal.
My practice is focused on the clients, not the process.
If this approach resonates with you, I would welcome the opportunity to help resolve your client's matter.
A Litigator Focused on the Results
I work collaboratively with my clients to ensure they understand their case — because it is their life, their job, or their livelihood at issue, not mine. That means honest conversations about risk, clear-eyed assessment of value, and a shared commitment to practical outcomes over inflated expectations.
The goal is not a windfall. The goal is the best result the facts and law will support, pursued efficiently and with you in mind. In the courtroom and at the negotiating table, I use process strategically — for information, for leverage, for better outcomes. I keep my clients grounded in what the evidence actually supports, because credibility is paramount when reaching juries.
Most employment attorneys won't engage until after termination. I have represented clients before that moment arrives — helping them understand their situation, their options, and what the decisions they make now will mean for the case later. That kind of early involvement changes outcomes, gives clients some measure of control, and helps develop the record necessary to hold employers accountable when they fail to follow the law.
Contact
➤ LOCATION
912 Cole Street # 238
San Francisco, California 94117
☎ CONTACT
alanbayer@gmail.com
alanbayer@aol.com
(415) 558-9960
Areas of Practice
Mediation
Mediation works when the mediator understands not just the case, but the parties to it.
A skilled mediator brings more than familiarity with litigation risk and claim value — though both matter. What moves a case toward resolution is understanding what the parties actually need: to be heard, to understand their exposure, and to find a path forward that feels real rather than forced.
That takes patience, honesty, and the ability to speak plainly with everyone in the room — clients, counsel, and decision-makers alike.
Contract Disputes
Contracts exist to provide certainty. When disputes arise anyway — over terms, performance, or the course of dealings — the question is rarely just who is right, but whether litigation is the right way to resolve it.
I help clients understand how courts are likely to interpret their agreements, assess their exposure, and make informed decisions about whether to negotiate, fight, or how to position themselves for either approach.
Early Mediation
The best time to resolve a dispute is before it becomes a case.
Once litigation begins, fees accumulate, positions harden, and the distance between the parties grows. Early mediation interrupts that pattern — opening a confidential channel for honest conversation before the costs and conflict compound.
For businesses and individuals who want to resolve a dispute without the expense and disruption of litigation, early mediation is often the most practical option available. The earlier the conversation, the more options everyone has.
Litigation Consulting
Not every attorney litigates regularly — and when litigation lands on your docket, having an experienced collaborator can make a significant difference for your client.
I work with attorneys who want a seasoned litigator in their corner without adding counsel of record. That means thinking through strategy together, identifying the procedural tools available, stress-testing your theory of the case, and helping you prepare for what's ahead — all with your client's specific goals driving the approach.
Whether the matter is heading toward trial, a dispositive motion, or a negotiated resolution, I can help you see the landscape clearly and position your client to get there on the best terms possible.
Employment Matters
For over two decades, I have represented employees in some of the most consequential disputes they will face — discrimination, retaliation, and disability claims that touch their livelihood, their dignity, and their sense of self.
I take cases where the conduct was serious and the employer's exposure is real. If you believe your rights have been violated, I am happy to discuss whether your matter is one I can help with.
Let's Chat.
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