About Floyd J. Siegal

In the summer of 2007, after nearly three decades as a successful trial attorney in both the criminal and civil arenas, Floyd developed a passion for mediation and made the decision to transition from litigator to mediator. Following completion of an intensive course of study offered by the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, he began offering his services as a private mediator. Subsequently, he completed additional specialized training at the Straus Institute, focusing on employment disputes, personal injury and professional negligence.

Since opening his mediation practice in January 2008, Floyd has proven to be enormously effective, gaining the trust and confidence of those who have utilized his services — as reflected in the Client Comments which follow — as well as the respect and admiration of his colleagues and peers, having served as President of the Southern California Mediation Association in 2016 and on the Board of Governors of the International Academy of Mediators, as Membership Chair, in 2017.

Equally important, providing his services as a mediator and helping those who are experiencing the emotional upheaval of litigation — or threatened litigation — to resolve their disputes has proven to be his most gratifying professional endeavor to date.

Whether tackling strongly contested claims against governmental entities, emotionally challenging claims of sexual abuse or workplace harassment, claims of wrongful death or catastrophic injury, claims of medical malpractice or other professional negligence, or claims involving sophisticated real property or business disputes, Floyd’s ability to genuinely listen and his natural instinct for problem-solving enable him to gently guide the parties toward a mutually acceptable resolution.

Before making the decision to transition from litigator to mediator, Floyd spent the preceding twelve years trying cases and supervising litigation at Spile, Siegal, Leff & Goor (previously Spile & Siegal, and before that Krivis, Spile & Siegal), where his practice was devoted to the defense of professional liability claims against real estate agents and brokers, home inspectors, appraisers, escrow agents, insurance agents and brokers, as well as other miscellaneous professionals; employment practices liability; premises liability; product liability; commercial general liability; and claims against religious institutions.

Floyd began his legal career as a highly regarded criminal defense attorney, opening his own law office immediately following his graduation from Loyola Law School in 1978. Floyd practiced criminal defense exclusively until 1995, defending a number of celebrity and higher-profile defendants along the way, earning the respect of prosecutors and judges alike for his dedication to his clients, his effectiveness as a negotiator and his skills in the courtroom. Floyd was privileged to serve as a legal commentator during the O.J. Simpson case, appearing regularly on “Rivera Live” and other similar programs.

Looking back, it may well be that his many years as a criminal defense attorney and civil litigator paved the way for Floyd’s current success as a mediator. As a trial attorney, Floyd recognized that one of his primary responsibilities was to carefully and thoroughly assess risk. He also understood the corresponding need to use the utmost diplomacy when engaging in settlement discussions, whether with prosecutors or opposing counsel. Today, offering his mediation services exclusively through Judicate West, he employs those same skills to assist others in resolving their disputes, helping them find closure and peace in the process.