Jeffrey L. Krivis helped pioneer mediation in California

Jeffrey L. Krivis, a trailblazer in the alternative dispute resolution field in California, renowned for his skill in mediating complex disputes, passed away on Friday at the age of 68.

After being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor in October, Krivis underwent intensive treatment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center before passing away peacefully at his home in Tarzana, surrounded by his family, according to Claire Hoxie, case manager at First Mediation Corporation, the firm Krivis founded.

"His passing represents a significant loss for both the legal profession and society," said Tagore Subramaniam, Krivis' business partner, who confirmed that he will continue mediating cases at First Mediation.

In the months leading up to his illness, Krivis played a pivotal role in several high-profile cases that garnered national attention. Notably, he facilitated a $229.8 million settlement for the city of Santa Monica related to sexual abuse allegations against Police Officer Eric Uller, a case involving 229 victims. This settlement underscored Krivis' exceptional ability to handle sensitive, emotionally charged disputes, according to legal professionals familiar with the case. City of Santa Monica v. Insurance Co. of the State of Pennsylvania et al., 30-2022-01261243-CU-IC-CJC (O.C. Super. Ct., filed May 23, 2022).

Krivis also mediated the $842 million settlement of sex abuse claims against USC involving former gynecologist George Tyndall. Lucy Chi v. University of Southern California et al., 2:18-cv-04258-SVW-GJS (C.D. Cal., filed May 21, 2018).

"He was a giant in the field of mediation in Southern California, at the pinnacle of a career marked by every honor and accolade," said Leonid M. Zilberman, a partner at Wilson Turner Kosmo LLP in San Diego.

Born March 8, 1956, Krivis graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 1980. He initially practiced as a litigator in Los Angeles, but a transformative moment came in 1989 when he founded First Mediation Corporation. Inspired by a client's request to settle cases, Krivis pursued formal mediation training in Texas. Upon returning to California, he recognized the potential of the then-nascent mediation field, which had only a few practitioners.

Krivis partnered with Randy Lowry at Pepperdine University to organize the first Southern California Mediation Association conference, a key moment that not only defined his career but also helped shape the development of mediation as a profession in California. Krivis also taught negotiation and mediation at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University.

In a 2021 interview, Krivis credited transparency as a cornerstone of his success.

"Telling them what I am doing during the process, and the impact it might have, has served me really well in my practice," he said. "I don't just carry water across the table. I usually choose to let them know what's going on, why it's going that way, and where it's heading. If they think I'm going in the wrong direction, they'll tell me."

Zilberman described Krivis as a "mensch," noting, "Jeff was a remarkable person who loved his craft, music, baseball, and most of all, his family."
Krivis' passion for baseball, particularly the Los Angeles Dodgers, was legendary among his colleagues. He carried a wallet made from one of Sandy Koufax's baseball gloves, a treasured item that reflected his deep love for the game and its history.

Arash Homampour of the Homampour Law Firm in Sherman Oaks spoke of Krivis' unique approach to both work and life.

"He was not only one of the top mediators in the country but an amazing example of how to live a Zen, loving, caring, nonreactive existence in a domain filled with conflict and tragedy. I often thought of him as a model of how to be," Homampour said.

In a 2011 interview with the Daily Journal, Krivis was asked about his approach to time management. He quoted Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige, saying, "Spend your money foolishly and your time wisely, because it's a lot easier to know what you have in the bank than to know what time you have left."

Krivis is survived by his wife, Amy, his daughters Hannah and Rachel, and three grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Monday in Los Angeles, followed by a graveside service. His family requested that donations be made in his memory to the Glioblastoma Research Organization, Guitars in the Classroom, or the UCLA Stanford L. Kurland Research Fund, in lieu of flowers.