MCLA joins LA vs HATE’s United Against Hate Week
MCLA has joined community partners and local leaders for United Against Hate Week (October 19–25), an initiative led by LA vs Hate encouraging communities to take civic action against hate, discrimination, and bias. The launch, hosted by LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, District Attorney George Gascón, and coalition partners including Not In Our Town, CA vs Hate, and Stop the Hate, called on civic and community organizations to confront hate and implicit bias through connection, education, and collective action.
MCLA was proud to take part in this movement and to spotlight how mediation serves as a powerful tool for prevention, helping communities and individuals resolve differences through dialogue and understanding.
“United Against Hate Week is a powerful reminder that everyone can do something to stand up to hate, and it starts with making a daily commitment…”-Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor
Our program, led by MCLA’s Director of Engagement and Outreach, Devin Tucker, and Western Justice Center’s Rehana Jamal, continues with February’s launch of a peer mediation program for LAUSD students, created in partnership with Brotherhood Crusade, Western Justice Center, and LA vs Hate.
The initiative will train students to resolve conflicts among their peers, equipping the next generation with communication skills that encourage understanding, empathy, and resolve in their schools and beyond.
MCLA Partners with USC to Mentor Emerging Mediators
This fall semester, the Mediation Center of Los Angeles launched a new mentorship initiative in partnership with the USC Gould School of Law, giving students the opportunity to gain insightful access to real-world mediation practice with guidance from MCLA’s experienced professionals.
The initiative was led by Devin Tucker, MCLA’s Director of Engagement and Outreach and a USC alumna, together with Lisa Klerman, USC Gould School of Law, Clinical Professor of Law and Director, to bring mediators, attorneys, and law students together in pursuit of accessible, high-quality training.
“Our goal is to create a meaningful bridge between academic learning and real-world practice to show students what it truly means to mediate with empathy, professionalism, and purpose”
Through this partnership, Gould students are paired with MCLA mediators who offer mentorship, feedback, and firsthand access into their mediation practice. Each mentorship experience connects classroom learning with practical application, supporting the students’ growth as emerging professionals in conflict resolution.
MCLA Probate Experts Lead Case Study at SCMA Annual Fall Conference
Our mediators were pleased to present “Three Sisters and a Broken Trust,” an in-depth probate case study at the SCMA Annual Conference, designed in collaboration with MCLA Founder and President, Myer Sankary, and, MCLA Director of Outreach and Engagement Devin Tucker.
The session was led by Lydia Liberio, John P. Glowacki, and Philip Barbaro, Jr., who guided attendees through the emotional and ethical complexities of trust and estate disputes, offering practical insight into balancing family dynamics, fiduciary duties, and the preservation of relationships and wealth.
John Glowacki shared, “Trust and probate mediations are extraordinarily difficult for families, lawyers, and mediators, and we can improve our success if we dig deep into the particular challenges that arise in these cases.”
Fellow presenter Lydia Liberio noted that the training panel was just the beginning… MCLA will soon launch a 40-hour advanced probate mediation training program that includes CLE credit and builds upon the principles explored during the session.
Learn more and keep up to date with training opportunities →
This November we have the privilege of honoring one of our most long-standing members of the MCLA mediator panel, William Molfetta.
From managing counsel for nearly three decades at a litigation law firm for Fortune 500 insurance companies, Mr. Molfetta became a full-time mediator and arbitrator in 2012.
Since then, he has managed his own practice as a neutral and has been an integral part of MCLA, mediating hundreds of cases and guiding parties to resolution.
“Building rapport and trust is critical in mediation. I always advise the parties that I’m a neutral participant and that I’m going to try my hardest to get their case settled.”
An original member of the MCLA panel, Bill has been a full-time mediator and arbitrator since 2012 with specialized mediation experience in a wide range of case types including personal injury, workplace disputes, landlord/tenant matters, and more…
When he is not mediating cases in both English and Spanish, Bill enjoys traveling. This spring he met up with Frank Sinatra in Hoboken, New Jersey!
From the MCLA Team
As we move into November and recap our work during Conflict Resolution Month, we’re proud and grateful of the work our team and panel of neutrals continue to do to advance the practice and accessibility of mediation.
This past month, we’ve had the chance to engage with our community in meaningful ways from working with community partners during United Against Hate Week, to sharing insights at the SCMA Annual Conference, to welcoming USC Gould School of Law students into our mentorship program.
In the months ahead, we look forward to expanding our roster of mediators, launching new training opportunities, and strengthening relationships with community organizations that share our mission.
We are grateful for your continued support and engagement as we work toward a more accessible and effective mediation landscape in Los Angeles and beyond.
-The MCLA Team
Write to us at info@MediationLA.org or call (833) 476-9145
What MCLA Clients Are Saying
“Myer Sankary went above and beyond the call of duty in our case. I give my highest praise to Myer Sankary and recommend him without reservation.”
-John Morris, Defendant Attorney
“Phil Barbaro was key to getting the matter settled.”
– Attorney Steven Sosa, Law Office of Steven C. Sosa, APC
“Very easy process. Mr. Marcus was great, friendly, and fair. He made the nervous feeling subside with his grace…”
– Plaintiff Lisa Lewis, Self-representing Client