Title: Mediator and Arbitrator
Company: ADR Services, Inc.
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Eric Ivary, mediator and arbitrator at ADR Services, Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in legal services.
With more than 30 years of trial experience to his credit, Mr. Ivary joined ADR Services, Inc. in 2006. Since then, he has excelled as a mediator and arbitrator in a wide range of cases.. His mediation practice includes Employment cases of all types, personal injury, wrongful death, Product liability, civil rights, (including police misconduct), public entity liability, including school district liability, medical, hospital and pharmaceutical liability. Prior to becoming a full time neutral he served as managing partner at the firm of Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer from 1978 to 2001. Throughout his lengthy career, he has mediated over 1100 cases both privately and on the ADR panel of many local courts including a 10 year stint for the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California where he mediated ERISA, Civil Rights and Handicap Access cases.
Before embarking on his professional path, Mr. Ivary pursued an education at St. Mary’s College of California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. He continued his academic efforts at Santa Clara University, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1971. Before transitioning into ADR he completed lengthy academic mediation training both private, and under the auspices of both State and Federal courts. He continues to take advanced mediation courses to the present time. Since 1989 he has served as Judge Pro Tem and settlement Commissioner for 4 Bay area courts.
Beyond his professional responsibilities within the field, Mr. Ivary has had numerous interests and endeavors outside of his professional circles. He has run over 60 marathons with times as low as 2 hours and 30 minutes. He also has completed the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii as well as many shorter races. His favorite charity is the Alameda County Food Bank. In 2024 he was invited to join the appellate mediation panel for the California 6th District Court of Appeals where he mediates as a volunteer basis. He has published articles with provocative titles such as “The Myth of Neutrality” and “Mediating with the Difficult Plaintiff” (as well as others) all of which were well received.
During his legal career Mr. Ivary has belonged to several law-related organizations. He has served as President of the Alameda-Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association and remains an Emeritus member of its board. During his 30 year career as a trial lawyer he has belonged to the American Inns of Court, The American Trial Lawyer’s Association, the Alameda County Lawyer’s Club where he was elected Lawyer of the Year in 1995. In 1989, he was invited to become a member of ABOTA (The American Board of Trial Advocates) which is an organization composed of both Plaintiff and Defense attorneys. He has tried enough cases to reach the rank of Advocate.
Throughout his notable and lengthy career, Mr. Ivary has accrued many notable accomplishments and highlights, including multiple 7-figure verdicts. But when asked if there was one highlight that was particularly gratifying, he mentioned a race discrimination case he tried in 1996. His client was a construction manager who was terminated because he “was the wrong color for the industrial market”. When he complained to his immediate superior, the company fired him too. The trial resulted in a verdict of almost 8 million dollars.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Mr. Ivary has accrued several accolades during his career. Just this year he was recognized by “Top 100 Lawyers” Magazine as “California Lawyer of the Year” by the publication “Top 100 Lawyers”. (the only mediator so honored). He has earned commendations from CEB Trial Advocacy program as an evaluator and from the California State Bar for outstanding contributions to pro bono and voluntary legal services. Lastly, as further evidence of the quality of his career as viewed by his peers, Martindale Hubbell’s has awarded Mr. Ivary an “AV Preeminent” rating for thirty-one consecutive years (1993-2024). In the immediate future he has no intent to retire and plans to continue doing mediation, the work that he loves.
Contact Mr. Ivary:
