News - Diary

This new page constitutes a place simply to record interesting subjects, events or ideas as they relate to David Karp's mediation practice and other things.  The entries are in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first.

July 14, 2010 -- After forming and leading the San Fernando Valley Bar Association's Law and Government Exploring Post for two years, David I. Karp is taking advantage of a surprise window of opportunity to retire from active leadership.  The program has been great, the kids amazing, and new volunteers will move the Bar Association's youth program forward to even greater success.

July 8, 2010 --  David I. Karp is genuinely delighted to have received a glowing letter of recommendation from an experienced attorney/mediator who observed a mediation conducted by Mr. Karp on June 21, 2010, at the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District.  The text can be found on this website on the "Letters" page, at the bottom.

July 3, 2010 -- I have been thoughtful today about “liberty.” It is the eve of the Fourth of July. Today is also an anniversary of the battle at Gettysburg. As a Mason, I know that the concept of liberty is deep within the tradition of Freemasonry. Freemasons signed the Declaration of Independence. Freemasons were among those in the Continental Congress and at the Constitutional Convention. Our first President was a Mason. Freemasons were at Gettysburg, on both sides. The connections of Freemasonry and liberty in the United States are just so interesting. Happy Fourth of July to all.

April 20, 2010 -- David I. Karp received a nice testimonial e-mail letter from an attorney/mediator who observed a mediation conducted by Mr. Karp on February 23, 2010.  The text can be found on this website on the "Letters" page, at the bottom.

March 27, 2010 -- Best wishes for a diverse and meaningful week.

March 9, 2010 -- David I. Karp is pleased to post his newest article, "Its Not My Fault" in Mediation at the bottom of this website's page called "Articles of Interest."

March 1, 2010 --  David I. Karp was pleasantly surprised by unsolicited praise from an attorney that enjoyed the experience of mediating with Mr. Karp.  The text is now quoted at the bottom of this web site's home page.

January 29, 2010 -- David I. Karp was delighted to receive a warm thank you note from an attorney and mediator who observed Mr. Karp at work in a mediation the previous day.  You can read it at the bottom of the page entitled "Letters."

January 25, 2010 -- David I. Karp is pleased to announce that he has been awarded the rating designation of "AV-Preeminent" for 2010 by Martindale-Hubbell, the nation's premier independent peer rating service.  This is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.

January 14, 2010 -- As Co-Advisor for Law and Government Explorer Post 1926 sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Mr. Karp led a discussion with the Explorers about the racial discrimination cases before the United States Supreme Court in the last century as the Explorers considered the upcoming Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday.
 
January 12, 2010 -- With January Southern California temperatures in the 70s, David I. Karp thought about the similarities between mediating and backpacking, i.e., being prepared, having the right person along as a guide or companion, choosing one’s path, orienting one's map, limiting the extra baggage, seeing the forest not just the trees, overcoming obstacles, changing course if appropriate, and measuring a successful outcome by reassessing expectations. Anyone for a hike?

December 30, 2009 --  With the passing of his father, A. Lawrence Karp, on December 25, 2009, David's role model at home and in business for all that is good, virtuous, ethical, and kind, there has been a renewal of many feelings for cherished family, friends and colleagues, and a hope for peace, prosperity, fulfillment and satisfaction in the personal and professional lives of all whom David knows.  Looking forward to all that 2010 may offer to every one.

November 22, 2009 --  This morning, David I. Karp pursued his interest in Constitutional Law, for his own pleasure, by reading the transcript of the October 7, 2009, hearing before the United States Supreme Court in Salazar v. Buono, the case involving a large cross on property transferred by the government to the VFW as a memorial for all war dead, a most interesting exerpt from which may be found here.

October 14, 2009 -- David I. Karp came back from a productive mediation to find in the mail a personalized "Peer Review Rating" placard "for [his] home or office" with his name and the following on it: "AV Rated Attorney ... Highest Rating in Legal Ability & Ethical Standards." He is proud of this continuing reflection of his work in the legal profession.

September 20, 2009 -- The Days of Awe between Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) lead one on a journey of introspection, humility, self honesty, repentance, renewal and redirection towards the future. In mediation, the question is how to help people experience the same moving forces so as to let go of their conflicts, resolve their disputes and find harmony in doing so. It remains a challenge, a goal, and a remedy for lasting peace, but only so long as the disputants are willing to go there.

September 12, 2009 -- Late this evening, special penitential prayers will be said by Jews around the world as they ready themselves for the High Holy Day period beginning with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and ending with Yom Kippur (the day of Atonement). These prayers are referred to as S'lichot, a Hebrew word meaning "forgiveness."  Forgiveness is a difficult but powerful emotional concept in mediation that can help parties move past their conflicts with one another. People may not be able to "forgive and forget" as it may not be possible to forget what happened or what should have happened. But forgiveness can allow people to let go of their hostilities and thus neutralize emotional obstacles that prevent settlement of a dispute.

September 2, 2009 -- At the request of the Los Angeles Superior Court ("LASC"), Mr. Karp addressed 57 Judges from Thailand who were visiting the Court to learn about mediation. (Some time before, Mr. Karp had also conducted a court-connected mediation observed by three Justices from India at the LASC's request.)

August 25, 2009 -- As Co-Advisor for Law and Government Explorer Post 1926 sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, Mr. Karp and another adult leader took four Explorers on a tour of downtown Los Angeles, including visits to City Hall, the California Court of Appeal - Second District, the Los Angeles Superior Court, and the Los Angeles County Law Library.  High School students from the diverse student population of the San Fernando Valley who are interested in a career in law or government participate in the Explorer Post.  Earlier in the month, Mr. Karp took the Law Explorer Post camping not only because camping is fun, but because it presents an opportunity for young people to learn about pre-planning an event or project and it gives an opportunity for creativity and improvisation when things do not go as planned.