Dealing with Difficult Personalities in Employment Mediation

Anthony has over 20 years of experience in the legal industry, most recently serving as a Court Commissioner in Kern County. He presided over various matters, including criminal felony hearings, family law, domestic violence and civil harassment restraining orders, small claims, limited civil cases, unlawful detainer, traffic, juvenile traffic, child support/AB1058, and misdemeanor jury trials. While on the bench, Anthony created civil mediation programs for small claims, limited civil, unlawful detainer, and civil harassment matters. He also developed a voluntary settlement program for family law cases and served as a mandatory settlement conference judge for unlimited civil matters.

Before becoming a Court Commissioner, Anthony successfully ran a law practice for over a decade, focusing on civil, business, and employment law litigation. He represented both plaintiffs and defendants, participating in numerous mediations. Known for his pragmatic approach, Anthony earned praise from colleagues, opposing attorneys, and judges for his ethical conduct, courteous demeanor, and his ability to settle cases.

Since leaving the bench in December 2022, he has become a member of the International Academy of Mediators (IAM) Mentorship Program, he has been elected as a member of the Southern California Mediation Association’s (SCMA) Board of Directors, and is a co-leader of the SCMA Employment Mediation and Ventura/Santa Barbara Counties Professional Development Groups. Anthony is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at USC Gould School of Law, teaching Arbitration in the United States.

Anthony is currently serving on the mediation panels for the Mediation Center of Los Angeles (MCLA) and Alternative Resolution Centers (ARC), as well as on the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Panel of Employment Arbitrators. Anthony is also finishing his LL.M. in Dispute Resolution at the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University’s Caruso School of Law.