About the Founders
Laurel Kaufer
Recognized as one of Southern California's "Best Lawyers" in the field of Alternate Dispute Resolution, in 2010 and 2011 by U.S. News & World Report, Laurel Kaufer, transitioned from litigation to full-time neutral practice in 1995. Kaufer, a Mediator and Arbitrator with ARC in Los Angeles, CA, is the chair of the Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution of the California State Bar Association, a Diplomat of both the California and National Academies of Distinguished Neutrals, and teaches in the Certificate Program for Mediation and Dispute Resolution at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Kaufer served for years on the Boards of the Southern California Mediation Association and Ventura County Dispute Services.
A leader in any profession is expected, not only to practice with credibility and expertise, but also enhance the profession through a consistent exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as open up new frontiers of practice. Kaufer’s commitment to public service has been a natural part of her career.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Kaufer founded the Mississippi Mediation Project to provide Conflict Resolution resources in hard hit areas of the state, strengthening their physical, cultural and economic renewal. A long-time consumer advocate on health insurance issues, Kaufer has recently taken her advocacy to a new level, promoting the use of appropriate conflict resolution systems in diplomatic and public policy arenas, through her participation in COP 15, the U.N. Climate Change Conference 2009, working on legislation creating a pre-foreclosure Mediation process in response to the housing crisis, as well as continuing her work in health-care,both as an independent consumer advocate and as an advisor to The Margolin Group.
Doug Noll
Doug is a full time peacemaker and mediator, specializing in difficult, complex, and intractable conflicts. He is an adjunct professor of law and has a Masters Degree in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies. Mr. Noll is AV-rated and was a business and commercial trial lawyer for 22 years before turning to peacemaking.
He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, a Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, a Diplomat of the California and National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, a core faculty member of the American Institute of Mediation, and on the American Arbitration Association panel of mediators and arbitrators. Mr. Noll was one of the first U.S. mediators certified under the international mediator standards established by the International Mediation Institute.
He is an author of the books Elusive Peace: Strategies for Resolving 21st Global Conflicts (Prometheus, in press for release Spring 2011), Sex, Politics & Religion at the Office: The New Competitive Advantage (Auberry Press 2006), with John Boogaert, and Peacemaking: Practicing at the Intersection of Law and Human Conflict (Cascadia 2002) and, numerous articles on peacemaking, restorative justice, conflict resolution and mediation, and is a mediator trainer, lecturer and continuing education panelist. Mr. Noll has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2005, by U.S. News & World Report and is a Northern California Super Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mr. Noll is host of the radio show The Doug Noll Show that streams live on wsRadio.com Thursday evenings at 7 pm Pacific.