We also act as your negotiator.  Negotiating differs from advocacy principally in the different skill sets involved.  Advocating requires the attorney to set forth your position, with the utmost persuasive and argumentative ability.  Negotiating, on the other hand, emphasizes the ability to work with opposing and similarly situated parties to bring about an agreed upon resolution of a particular problem.  While an effective negotiator often employs some of the tools of advocacy, for the most part, the negotiator draws other arrows from his skill quiver: people skills, knowledge of human nature, psychology and conciliation.

Mr. Kawata has previously served as a mediator formerly with the American Arbitration Association’s Panel of Neutrals, and more recently in a private capacity. He has brought about settlement on a number for occasions both as a negotiating representative of a party and the mediation or conciliation professional.