Employment Law Mediator
Perspective Drives Resolution

In any mediation, each participant brings their own perspective to the process. Having personally participated in the mediation process from several different viewpoints, Cynthia Sandoval is a truly unique mediator.
During her career as a partner with a nationwide employment defense firm, Ms. Sandoval represented employers from a small family-owned business to large fortune 500 and 100 companies.
As Senior Vice President – Associate Counsel of a nationwide employer with over 10,000 employees, Ms. Sandoval participated in mediation as a party, working with outside counsel and advising C-Suite executives.
Finally, as a partner in a boutique plaintiffs employment law firm, Ms. Sandoval represented employees in dispute resolution settings.
The combination of these experiences and perspectives, distinguishes Ms. Sandoval as a mediator, allowing her to better appreciate and relate to the positions each participant brings to the process to help drive productive resolution.
Areas of Expertise

- Employment Law
- Wage and Hour
- PAGA & Class Actions
- Wrongful Termination
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Retaliation & Whistleblower
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Leaves of Absence
- Disability Access
- Contract Disputes
- ADA Access Litigation
Mediation Experience
- Private Mediation (2019 to Present)
- United States District Court, Central District of California, Mediation Panel (2021 to Present)
- California Civil Rights Department Mediation Panel (formerly DFEH) (2022 to Present)
- Waymakers – Dispute Resolution Services, Orange County Superior Court (2022 to Present)
Work History
- Ares Law Group, P.C. – Partner: 2017 to present
- Towne Park – Senior Vice President – Associate Counsel, Employment Law: 2016 to 2017
- Jackson Lewis, P.C. – Shareholder: 2011 to 2016, Of Counsel: 2008 to 2010, Associate: 2000 to 2007
- Shaw Valenza – Of Counsel: 2007 to 2008
- Walsworth, Franklin, Bevins & McCall – Associate: 1999 to 2000
- Law Offices of Lucius Cooper – Associate: 1998 to 1999
Professional Licenses & Memberships
Ms. Sandoval is a member of the California Bar and is admitted to the U.S. District Courts in California. She is also a member of the Orange County Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution & Employment Law Sections.
Education
Ms. Sandoval is an AAA-trained mediator. She has extensive training in ADR. Ms. Sandoval earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from UCLA. She earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Golden Gate University, School of Law, where she was a Merit Scholar.
Scheduling and Fees
- Full Day Mediations – Ms. Sandoval’s current rate for a full day (8 hours) of mediation for two-party disputes is $7,500.
This includes pre-mediation conference calls with counsel, review of mediation briefs, and preparation for the mediation. - Ms. Sandoval’s current rate for a half-day (4-hour) mediation for two-party disputes is $4,000.
This includes pre-mediation conference calls with counsel, review of mediation briefs, and preparation for the mediation. - Mediations that extend beyond the full or half-day hour allotments will be billed at the hourly rate of $650.00 per hour.
- For each party beyond two, an additional $500.00 will be charged.
- Ms. Sandoval offers both in-person and virtual mediation.
Languages
- English
- Spanish