Orange County Mediator William J. Caplan has been mediating on a full-time basis since 2001. He is of counsel with Rutan & Tucker, LLP, Orange County’s most prestigious full-service law firm. Mr. Caplan has received Mediation Certificates from Harvard Law School (2004), Pepperdine University Straus Institute (2002) and the Center for Community Mediation (1993).

Mr. Caplan has mediated more than 1000 disputes and has an excellent track record of successful mediations. He is an author and lecturer on the subject of mediation. He has consistently enjoyed Martindale-Hubble’s highest rating, AV. Mr. Caplan serves as Adjunct Professor at the Chapman University School of Law.

Mr. Caplan graduated high in class standing from the U.C.L.A. School of Law in 1978. He was a Rutan & Tucker trial partner for 15 years having joined the firm in 1979.

Mr. Caplan’s mediation practice concentrates on the same general subject areas as his litigation practice emphasized including:

• Real estate disputes

• Business contracts & torts

• Construction defects, contracts and administration

• Employment disputes

• Partnerships & other fiduciaries

Mr. Caplan has published the following articles on mediation:

• “The Joy of Mediation,” Orange County Lawyer (Dec. 2002)

• “Mediation is Confidential, Not Exactly” , Orange County Lawyer (March 2003)

• “The Quick Brown Lawyer Jumped Over the Mediation Traps”, Orange County Lawyer (January 2005)

• “The Dark Side of Mediated Agreements”, Association of Business Trial Lawyers Report (Spring 2006)

• “Deal or No Deal”, Orange County Lawyer (March 2009)

Mr. Caplan’s fee rate for mediation services is $500.00 per hour or partial hour, and includes a maximum of two (2) hours of preparation. There is no administrative or set up fee. An average mediation lasts from 4-6 hours. A deposit of $1,500 per side is required.

PRACTICE GROUPS

• Business Litigation

EDUCATION

• U.C.L.A. School of Law, (J.D., 1978)
• U.C.L.A. (B.A., 1975, Dean's Honor List) Political Science
• Mediation Certificate—Harvard University, Program of Instruction for Lawyers (48 hour program-2004)
• Mediation Certificate - Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, (36 hour program -2002)
• Mediation Certificate – Center for Community Mediation (25 hour program-1993)
• Certificate: National Institute of Trial Advocacy (“N. I. T. A.”) Advanced Program (1984)

MEMBERSHIPS/ADMISSIONS

• State Bar of California
• United States District Court, Central and Eastern Districts
• American Bar Association
• Orange County Bar Association

COMMUNITY/AFFILIATIONS

• Adjunct Professor – Chapman University School of Law (August 2006 to present)
• Orange County Bar Association - Court Affiliated Civil Mediation Panel (1998)
• Volunteer - Orange County Superior Court Law & Motion and Settlement Conferences since 1988
• Los Angeles Superior Court ADR Program since 2001

AWARDS & HONORS

• Wiley Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services (1992)