Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Katherine J. Edwards?

Answer: Katherine J. Edwards, Esq. has specialized in employment law since 1989. Initially practicing as an advocate, she transitioned to becoming a full-time neutral mediator in 2000. Her extensive experience and thoughtful approach have earned her a reputation for being trustworthy, credible, and persuasive.

2. What areas of law does she handle?

Answer: Ms. Edwards mediates a wide range of employment law disputes, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, wage-and-hour claims, defamation, privacy rights, contract disputes, public policy violations, and representative actions such as class actions and PAGA matters.

3. What is her background and credentials?

Answer: Katherine earned her J.D., cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Washington. After serving as an associate and partner at prestigious California law firms, she became a full-time mediator in 2000.

4. What professional associations is she involved with?

Answer: She has been actively involved in numerous legal and dispute resolution organizations, such as:

  • ACR (Association for Conflict Resolution)

  • SCMA (Southern California Mediation Association)

  • ABA (Dispute Resolution & International Law Sections)

  • State Bar of California (Labor & Employment Law Section)

  • LACBA (Los Angeles County Bar Association)

  • Labor & Employment Section, including a member of the Executive Committee

  • CELA (California Employment Lawyers Association)

  • AWI (Association of Workplace Investigators)

  • SIWI (Society of Independent Workplace Investigators)

5. How are mediation sessions conducted?

Answer: Mediation sessions include a thorough process:

  • Review of the parties’ briefs

  • Pre-mediation conference calls with counsel

  • The mediation session itself

  • Reasonable follow-up via telephone or email

6. Can mediation be held remotely?

Answer: Yes, most mediations are conducted via Zoom videoconference. In-person sessions may be arranged when safe and agreeable to all parties, including the mediator.

7. How are mediation fees structured?

Answer:

  • Full-Day Mediation Fee: Includes preparation, briefs analysis, pre-mediation calls, the mediation session, and reasonable follow-up.

  • Half-Day Mediations: Offered on a limited basis.

  • Hourly Post-Mediation Fees: If additional post-mediation time is required, it is billed at $800/hour and payable upon receipt of invoice.

8. What is the cancellation policy?

Answer: If the mediation is canceled more than 30 calendar days before the scheduled date—and the request is confirmed in writing by the mediator—the fee is fully refundable. Otherwise, the fee is non-refundable regardless of who cancels.

9. How can someone get in touch with Katherine J. Edwards?

Answer: Here are the contact details:

10. Can I pay for mediation online?

Answer: Yes, online payment is available via LawPay, accessible through the “Pay Online” option on her website.

11. Where is Ms. Edwards located, and how long has she been practicing?

Answer: Katherine J. Edwards is based in Huntington Beach, California. She has been licensed to practice in California since 1989 and has decades of experience mediating employment law disputes.