Mediation vs. Litigation: Understanding the Tradeoffs

Mediation vs. Litigation: Understanding the Tradeoffs

Mediation Strategy Can Create a Workable Resolution That is Less Costly and Time-Consuming

Details

When: Thursday, October 1, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon)

How to Attend: Exclusively for AAGLA Members.  Members Can Register Using the “Register Now” Button.

Mediation and litigation are not competing versions of the same process. One is designed to help parties negotiate a voluntary resolution; the other asks a court or jury to decide a dispute. When considering case strategy, there are a few key factors to consider when deciding upon litigation vs. mediation:

• Control: mediation allows the parties to mutually decide whether and how to settle their dispute versus having it resolved by a judge and/or jury.
• Cost and timing may be significantly less: litigation can require substantial discovery, motions practice, experts, and trial preparation, and possible appeals.
• Remedies more practical: a negotiated agreement can sometimes address practical or business terms a court judgment cannot.

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process where a neutral third party, called a mediator, helps people resolve a dispute or reach an agreement without going to court.

Key features of mediation include:

• Neutral helper: The mediator does not take sides, assign blame, or act like a judge.
• No forced decisions: The mediator does not make a final binding choice. The people in the conflict stay in control and decide the outcome themselves.
• Private and confidential: What people say during mediation stays private and generally cannot be used later in a court trial.
• Faster and cheaper: Mediation usually takes less time and costs less money than a full court trial.

Use of mediation as a structured decision-making process: understand the case, the cost of continuing to pursue a case, and the terms that could create a workable resolution.

Hear from a leading mediation and “cash-for-keys” expert, Sasha Struthers, Esq. as she explains the key strategies and legal aspects of tenant buyout agreements. Tenant buyout agreements can save you a great deal of time, headache and sometimes even some money. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF THIS IMPORTANT LEGAL STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH TENANT ISSUES. YOU’LL ALSO GET ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND, IT’S ALL FOR FREE! 

This will be a live, interactive, online learning session.  Live Q&A will take place throughout the online seminar.  Please join us for what will surely be an extremely informative and timely presentation.  Please log in to register on our website at www.aagla.org/events.  If you have any questions, please contact Events Manager, Diana Alcaraz, via email at diana@aagla.org. We look forward to seeing you. 

WARNING: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DURING THIS WEBINAR IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. ABSOLUTELY NO LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE IS BEING GIVEN DURING THIS WEBINAR.  BEAR IN MIND THAT EVERY SITUATION IS UNIQUE, AND THE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  SO, BEFORE ACTING, BE SURE TO OBTAIN TAX AND/OR LEGAL ADVICE FROM YOUR LICENSED PROFESSIONAL.

Our Featured Speaker:

Sasha Struthers, Esq., Struthers Legal APC

Sasha Struthers is a California-licensed attorney and Real Estate Broker with a law practice that focuses on 'Cash for Keys'/ tenant buyouts and government agency complaints such as REAP, CRD, and Orders to Comply. Sasha's experience managing a 15-building real estate portfolio, including five apartments subject to LARSO has allowed her to help landlords strategically reposition their portfolios, maximize income, and reduce management stress. Her experience is shared through informative videos educating landlords on various aspects of real estate. She writes a weekly newsletter on various real estate-related topics, including the latest real estate news. You can check out her law practice at www.struthers.legal.

Featured Sponsor:

Struthers Legal APC

Struthers Legal APC, founded by Sasha Struthers, a California licensed Attorney and Real Estate Broker, focuses on 'Cash for Keys'/ tenant buyout agreements and government agency complaints such as REAP, CRD, and Orders to Comply. Struthers’s experience managing a 15-building real estate portfolio, including five apartments subject to LARSO, has allowed her to help landlords strategically reposition their portfolios, maximize income, and reduce management stress. Her experience is shared through informative videos educating landlords on various aspects of real estate. She writes a weekly newsletter on various real estate related topics, including the latest real estate news. You can check out Struthers Legal APC’s law practice at www.struthers.legal.

Our Moderator

Daniel Yukelson, AAGLA Executive Director. 

Daniel Yukelson is currently the Executive Director of The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA).  As Certified Public Accountant, Yukelson began his career at Ernst & Young, the global accounting firm, and had served in senior financial roles principally as Chief Financial Officer for various public, private and start-up companies, including as Chief Financial Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, the largest U.S. radio network and now a subsidiary of iHeart Media, and as Chief Financial Officer of Oasis West Realty, the owner of the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.  He is a former planning commissioner in the City of Beverly Hills and served as the committee’s Chairperson.

Title Sponsor: 

Paramount Property Tax Appeal

Paramount Property Tax Appeal is a specialized property tax advisory firm representing commercial real estate owners across the United States. The firm operates on a contingency basis, aligning its compensation directly with the results it delivers.

Paramount focuses exclusively on reducing property tax liabilities through disciplined, data-driven valuation analysis. Each engagement begins with a detailed review of income performance, market conditions, and comparable properties to determine whether a defensible basis for reduction exists. When it does, the firm manages the entire appeal process, from initial analysis through filing, negotiation, and representation.

Since its inception, Paramount has filed more than 45,000 appeals, representing over $50 billion in assessed value and securing more than $100 million in tax savings for its clients. The firm represents a broad range of asset types, including multifamily, office, retail, industrial, and hospitality properties.

Paramount’s work is grounded in current valuation methodology and case law, allowing it to navigate complex assessments with precision. Clients engage the firm not simply to file appeals, but to ensure their property values reflect current market reality and support long-term asset performance. For more information contact Paramount Property Tax Appeal at (888) 385-9203 or call (858) 225-1200, or go to https://www.paramountpropertytaxappeal.com/.

Be sure to register for Paramount Property Tax appeals webinar on October 6^th at 11:00 a.m.