Testimonials

“As a management-side labor and employment lawyer who litigated against Shel Stark when he was in private practice, I have used Shel as a neutral mediator in several difficult cases involving complex facts and legal issues and difficult personalities, both in terms of the plaintiffs involved and the opposing counsel.  Shel was well-versed on the facts and law at the start of the mediation, having spent considerable time digesting the parties’ mediation submissions, and he was able to use his credibility as a pre-eminent plaintiffs-side employment lawyer and his characteristic good humor and commitment to fairness to break through the barriers erected by the difficult personalities at the table.  This, coupled with his creativity in offering pragmatic solutions to the issues presented by the cases, resulted in productive and often successful mediations.”

David B. Calzone
Vercrussye Murray and Calzone, P.C.
Bingham Farms

“Shel Stark is one of the best mediators with whom I have worked. He is thoroughly prepared, detail-oriented, and uses innovative techniques to find common ground. Shel is also an empathic listener, and he demystifies the legal process for the clients. I have seen Shel bring parties together who began the morning with no hope of settlement and reached an agreement by day's end. That is the sign of a great mediator.”

John J. Conway
John J. Conway, P.C.
Royal Oak

“One of the best arbitration experiences I had in the past few years was with Shel Stark.  My clients felt they received a fair, complete hearing and a well reasoned, logical decision based solely on the merits.”

Steven H. Schwartz
Steven H. Schwartz & Associates PLC
Farmington Hills

"I engaged Shel Stark as a mediator several years ago on a very contentious, and somewhat complex discrimination matter.  There were literally layers of difficulties with the case, factually, legally and emotionally, and counsel agreed to engage Shel Stark with the feeling that he was one of the few mediators with the skill to help the parties attempt a resolution.  Shel Stark is one of the best mediators in the state, and he was instrumental in bringing both parties to a level of clarity, that enabled them ultimately to work out a settlement.  Shel has all of the skills of the best mediators.  Shel was very patient, hard-working, knowledgeable about the mediation process, and well-prepared.  Shel also has great integrity, and with his sincerity, he was able to gain a level of trust with both parties, even where there was very significant personal animosity, and distrust.  Very simply, Shel did an outstanding job of helping the parties achieve a settlement, in a case which both counsel were certain, based on the factual difficulties and personal animosities, could never settle."

Kevin S. Hendrick
Clark Hill PLC
Detroit

“Shel's reputation as an employment law expert and his front line litigation experience enhanced his credibility with my client and with my opposing counsel. He was well prepared. Shel made my client feel like her voice was heard and her complaints justified.  His personality and communication skills contributed to a meaningful settlement.  I would use Shel again in a heartbeat.”

Michael C. Curhan
Michael C. Curhan, Esq.
Bloomfield Hills

“I recommend Mr. Stark to serve as a mediator.  In a matter recently mediated involving multiple professionals and unsophisticated parties in a complex business tax liability case he was able to keep all parties on point, gain their respective trusts and then address the issues at hand in such a way that brought the parties together to reach a settlement.  Time and attention were an integral part of the resolution shown by Mr. Stark.”

Roy Jay Montney, Jr., Esq.
Martinelli & Montney, P.L.C.
Traverse City

"Shel Stark believes passionately in the mediation process, and his passion is apparent in the preparation and enthusiasm he brings to the table.  His knowledge of the law, attorneys, and judges makes him well-positioned to assist parties in understanding the merits of their positions and the advantages of resolving disputes."

Megan P. Norris
Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone PLC
Detroit

“The cases you have mediated for me all settled.  More importantly, the parties walked away satisfied their positions were heard, understood, and taken seriously.  You come to the mediation not only having read the submitted materials but with probing questions for all parties.  Your patience, creativity, and perseverance are a valuable asset to the litigation bar.   Your uncanny ability to remain neutral and fair minded is much appreciated.”

Bruce N. Moss
Black Duggan & Moss PC
Troy

"Sheldon Stark was the facilitator upon whom both parties easily agreed.  He knew the facts of our case and the law well.  He took enough time to understand the parties and their positions before actively asking us to take any action.  With his thorough preparation and gentle manner, he settled a contentious matter where the parties were not communicating with each other.  The bottom line: Shel created trust where there was none.  Once you have trust, anything can happen."

Timothy A. Dinan
Dinan & Associates
Grosse Pointe Park

“An outstanding mediator who gets the job done!  Well prepared, professional, persistent, and creative in getting cases resolved.  Communicates well with people from the factory floor to the CEO.  A pleasure to work with."

David A. Kotzian
David A. Kotzian PLLC
Farmington Hills

“Shel’s knowledge of mediation practices allows him to explore all viable resolution options with the parties.  He knows not just the right questions to ask, but when and how to ask them.”

 Patrick A. Aseltyne
Johnson Rosati LaBarge Aseltyne & Field PC
Lansing

"Shel is thoroughly prepared and focused during mediations.  He brings credibility and experience and is trusted by lawyers and clients on both sides of the table. I used him in a particularly difficult case where my client was reluctant to settle.  We successfully resolved the case and my client left feeling good about the process and the result."

Jennifer B. Salvatore
Nacht & Associates PC
Ann Arbor

“I have mediated cases with Shel, and he has arbitrated cases for me.  I have found Shel to be extremely knowledgeable and prepared – his experience in his prior life as a top-notch litigator, and then service with I.C.L.E., gives him a unique perspective.  He wastes no time, carefully assesses the evidence, and is exceedingly fair both in practice and appearance.”

Thomas G. Kienbaum
Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy & Pelton PLC
Birmingham

“Mr. Stark is knowledgeable, practical, and excels at getting the parties to reach a solution.  I strongly recommend him for any case."

 Joseph A. Ritok, Jr.
Dykema Gossett PLLC
Detroit

“Shel has a good manner with the parties attending mediation.  He is patient and asks good questions.  It is obvious from his questions that he has read the summaries and given them some thought.”

Patricia Gormely Prince,
Prince Law Firm
Farmington Hills

"We picked Shel to mediate a multi-plaintiff retiree health insurance case because he is creative and undaunted by a challenge. It was the right choice. Shel was instrumental in helping the parties recognize the interests that were important to the other side and we ultimately reached a mutually satisfactory settlement."

Mark T. Nelson
Butzel Long, PC
Ann Arbor

John R. Runyan, Jr.
Sacks Waldman, PC
Detroit

"Our case was resolved by Shel during early mediation conducted before discovery. This is only the second time in my career that mediation at this stage was successful. Shel was able to convince all the participants that settlement was in their best interest and got the movement needed on both sides to make it happen. My client and I couldn't be happier with the result."

Rex Burgess
The Law Offices of Burgess & Sharp
Clinton Township