Lance A. LaBelle, Esq. is a highly regarded mediator. Prior to joining ADR Services, Inc., Mr. LaBelle practiced as the principal of LaBelle Arbitration & Mediation, LLC. Before embarking on a career as full-time neutral, he practiced law as an AV-rated attorney for over 30 years, handling a wide variety of matters and specializing in insurance cases.

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Mr. LaBelle tries to never lose sight of the goal of dispute resolution – to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. He carefully listens to the parties in order to gain a thorough understanding of their positions and real interests. While Mr. LaBelle takes an evaluative approach, he also focuses on building trust and a productive working relationship with counsel and their clients. He looks for ways to “expand the pie” and employ creative solutions to reach a settlement.

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Mr. LaBelle believes that mediation does not begin or end on the date of the mediation. He endeavors to discuss the case with counsel before the date of the mediation and follows up with counsel after the mediation if necessary. He does this at no additional expense and matters often settle as a result of these continuing efforts. Mr. LaBelle cares deeply about the outcome of your case, and truly appreciates the parties and their counsel placing their trust in him to assist in the resolution of their disputes.
 

Mr. LaBelle is available for mediations through ADR Services, Inc.
 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
 

• Business, Breach of Contract, Real Estate and Commercial Disputes

• Insurance: Property, Casualty, and Extra-Contractual*

• General Negligence and Defamation

• Homeowners Association Disputes

• Landlord-Tenant, Neighbor-Landowner, and Habitability Matters
   

* Mr. LaBelle is a recognized insurance expert with experience handling all forms of insurance matters.
 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
 

• Panelist – ADR Services, Inc., 2018-Present

• Principal – LaBelle Arbitration & Mediation, 2016-2018

• Panelist – American Arbitration Association, 2009-2017

• Principal – Berger Kahn, 1986-2016

• Associate – Hagenbaugh & Murphy, 1985-1986

• Judicial Clerk – Hennepin County District Court, Minnesota, 1983-1985

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ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING:
 

• American Arbitration Association:
  AAA Best Practices in Commercial Arbitration, 2016; AAA Conducting Research and Investigations ~ The Arbitrator’s Authority (ACE009), 2015; AAA Webinar, Effective Mediation – From A Mediators Perspective, 2013; AAA Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards, 2009; AAA Fundamentals and Best Practices for New Arbitrators, 2009
   

• Association of Attorney Mediators:
  Business Mediation, 2016; Personal Injury Mediation, 2017
   

• Orange County Bar Association:
  Getting To Know FINRA, 2011; Law Students and Mediation, 2011; Reel ADR: A Review Of Negotiation Techniques, 2011; Disclosure and Disqualification/Mediation, 2010; The Mortgage Financial Crisis, 2010; Co-Mediation Approach To Resolving Litigated Disputes, 2009; The Financial Meltdown-Insurance and Dispute Resolution Issues and Techniques, 2009; Using Decision Tree Analysis, 2009; Using and Reading Nonverbal Communications, 2009; Deal or No Deal – A Summary of Case Law, 2008, 2009
   

• UC Irvine: Conflict Management and the Use of Alternate Dispute Resolution Program:
  Certificate of Completion awarded in August, 2005. Courses completed: Arbitration Training, 2005; Civil Advanced Mediation, 2005; ADR Training, 2005; Group Facilitation and Meeting Management, 2005; Negotiation Skills, 2004
   

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:
 

• Admitted to the California Bar, 1984

• Admitted to the Minnesota Bar, 1982

• Hamline University School of Law, J.D., 1982

• University of Minnesota, B.A., 1978
   

DISTINCTIONS:
 

• Chair, Orange County Bar Association ADR Section, 2008 and 2015

• AV-Rated Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell

• Best Lawyers of America, Southern California

• California Super Lawyers including an inclusion in the Orange County “Top 50” list

• AVVO rating: 10 (“superb”)
   

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
 

• Orange County Bar Association

• The State Bar of California

• Minnesota State Bar

• Association of Attorney-Mediators

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