Horrible mediator. Came in raising his voice when he gave the numbers I advised what my attorneys cost were he said he didn't care. I told him do you want to talk like business men he kept telling me it's his office. I told him he would not talk to me in that manner he said it's his building I left. Worst process I've ever been a part of. He told me when I left I would lose my case.
I have been the plaintiff in four mediations, previously with Ross Stoddard, Wade McMullen, and Kay Elliott, and each listened and tried to find solutions, but Berman on June 29, 2017, proudly proclaimed something like "Most mediators jump from room to room like rabbits; I don't do that." He refused to mediate the non-financial point which was important to me, saying it was all about "coin," and only wanted to jam a “mediator’s order” down our throats.
Berman when he returned to our room often refused to sit down, and looked down on us. At least four times he yelled at me. I have a very strong case, which he assessed wrongly, yelling at me after putting his face up close to mine “Look at this face! Look at this face! You are going to LOSE…YOUR…CASE!!!!”
I wanted to ask if he could include just one non-financial item in the settlement, which I expect the defendants would have agreed to, and he wouldn't even let me open my mouth, yelling at me something like "You want to make this into the Magna Carta! It isn't! Don't tell me how to do mediation!” Later in the hall I muttered “I just don' know why...” and Berman spun around and yelled at me while pointing to the entrance: "If you don't like how I do mediation, there's the door!!!" I never did tell him what I wanted to add.
My lawyer, Kent Krabill of Lynn Pinker Cox Hurst, was equally horrible, and refused to check the settlement box “no” as I repeatedly requested, insisting I take the mediator’s order amount, which was unattractive. I asked Krabill about 30 times to be quiet for a few moments so I could think, and he refused, and kept pestering me until I couldn't take Krabill anymore and sprung up to leave.
Berman was just outside the door, seemingly eavesdropping, and I told him to his face “You’re an a__hole!”, which is what I think of him. I then gave him a friendly 'atta-boy tap on the upper right of his chest such as "Good job, thanks for ruining my mediation," and he yelled "You struck me! I am calling the police!", and did call the police, and filed charges against me for assault! This was a friendly tap such as one gives to a buddy, there was no bruise, no intent, nothing. This caused Krabill, who has billed me an enormous $600,000 in 9 months while accomplishing little, to quit, four weeks before the trial!
Berman completely ruined this case for me, and now I am out more than $1 million in legal fees for two suits including a prior firm, have no lawyer, no settlement, and am fighting an assault charge. One of the worst days of my life. I would like to sue Berman for his atrocious behavior.
I think Berman is a horrible person, and terrible mediator, who refused to mediate as expected, and ruined any chance for a settlement.
The judge hearing my lawyer's Motion to Withdraw, when I mentioned Berman, made a remark which indicated she knew his reputation for being in people's face. If you are reading this, realize that whoever recommended him probably knows Berman's reputation, and wants Berman to yell at you and treat you like dirt. Please realize that this can lead to very bad feelings afterwards. There are many other mediators out there who one leaves with good feelings, as I did after a settlement by Wade McMullen. You probably have a say in the matter and can choose someone else, such as Wade McMullen, or Ross Stoddard. I wish I had used someone else.
Review Left On 02/28/2018
Jeremy McKey
Mr. Berman is an excellent mediator. I have been mediating with Mr. Berman since 2009 as both a Defense attorney and as a Plaintiff's attorney. I trust him to help resolve cases and does.
Review Left On 02/28/2016
Adrian Crane
Gary Berman is a great mediator; he gets the job done. He's a very smart guy who won't waste your time. Highly recommended.
Best Lawyer Reviews
Berman when he returned to our room often refused to sit down, and looked down on us. At least four times he yelled at me. I have a very strong case, which he assessed wrongly, yelling at me after putting his face up close to mine “Look at this face! Look at this face! You are going to LOSE…YOUR…CASE!!!!”
I wanted to ask if he could include just one non-financial item in the settlement, which I expect the defendants would have agreed to, and he wouldn't even let me open my mouth, yelling at me something like "You want to make this into the Magna Carta! It isn't! Don't tell me how to do mediation!” Later in the hall I muttered “I just don' know why...” and Berman spun around and yelled at me while pointing to the entrance: "If you don't like how I do mediation, there's the door!!!" I never did tell him what I wanted to add.
My lawyer, Kent Krabill of Lynn Pinker Cox Hurst, was equally horrible, and refused to check the settlement box “no” as I repeatedly requested, insisting I take the mediator’s order amount, which was unattractive. I asked Krabill about 30 times to be quiet for a few moments so I could think, and he refused, and kept pestering me until I couldn't take Krabill anymore and sprung up to leave.
Berman was just outside the door, seemingly eavesdropping, and I told him to his face “You’re an a__hole!”, which is what I think of him. I then gave him a friendly 'atta-boy tap on the upper right of his chest such as "Good job, thanks for ruining my mediation," and he yelled "You struck me! I am calling the police!", and did call the police, and filed charges against me for assault! This was a friendly tap such as one gives to a buddy, there was no bruise, no intent, nothing. This caused Krabill, who has billed me an enormous $600,000 in 9 months while accomplishing little, to quit, four weeks before the trial!
Berman completely ruined this case for me, and now I am out more than $1 million in legal fees for two suits including a prior firm, have no lawyer, no settlement, and am fighting an assault charge. One of the worst days of my life. I would like to sue Berman for his atrocious behavior.
I think Berman is a horrible person, and terrible mediator, who refused to mediate as expected, and ruined any chance for a settlement.
The judge hearing my lawyer's Motion to Withdraw, when I mentioned Berman, made a remark which indicated she knew his reputation for being in people's face. If you are reading this, realize that whoever recommended him probably knows Berman's reputation, and wants Berman to yell at you and treat you like dirt. Please realize that this can lead to very bad feelings afterwards. There are many other mediators out there who one leaves with good feelings, as I did after a settlement by Wade McMullen. You probably have a say in the matter and can choose someone else, such as Wade McMullen, or Ross Stoddard. I wish I had used someone else.