Testimonials

Ethical.

"Thanks for your terrific efforts to get the case settled. You really did a great job, and I will recommend your services as a mediator. You are very skilled at mediating tough cases and your input was invaluable."

E-MAIL FROM PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL IN CONSUMER CLAIM AGAINST MORTGAGE LENDER

Experienced.

"It was wonderful working with you. [Co-counsel] and I were discussing the extraordinary job you did in settling a case that we honestly had no hope of resolving when we arrived yesterday."

EMAIL FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN SAME CASE

Effective.

"You are truly the best at what you do. Your banter with [my client] relaxed him into trusting you, and confirmed for him that my opinions were correct. As we discussed, he had unrealistic expectations for the case when we started. I honestly don't know any other Mediator that would have had the skill to accomplish what you did. My deepest thanks."

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN CIVIL ASSAULT CASE

"Thank you for helping the parties reach a settlement yesterday. Your ability to acknowledge the issues in dispute but move beyond them to find common ground, and do it in a professional manner, is the key to your continued success."

E-MAIL FROM PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL IN SEVEN-PARTY REAL ESTATE CASE

"I would like to acknowledge the ability of the mediator, Steven Kruis of Kruis Mediation. This is the third time I have been involved in a difficult ADR with Mr. Kruis as mediator, and the third time the matter has been resolved in one day."

LETTER TO COURT FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN REAL ESTATE NON-DISCLOSURE CASE

"I wanted to let you know that [the case] has settled due in very large part to the extraordinary efforts and talents of Steven H. Kruis, Esq. What could have been a traumatic no-win situation for all parties concerned, was instead an example of the best justice available to the parties under the circumstances."

LETTER TO COURT FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN SEXUAL MOLESTATION CASE

"I wanted to take a moment to tell you how impressed I was at how you handled the mediation. There is no doubt that the case would not have settled without your expertise and persistence. I must say I was most impressed at the true compassion that you showed to our client. [Co-Counsel] had spoken so highly of you beforehand and I must say that you certainly met my expectations as a mediator and far exceeded them as a person who truly cared about the participants. I will not hesitate to recommend your services to others and personally look forward to using you to assist my clients in the future."

LETTER FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN MULTI-PARTY REAL ESTATE CASE

"As always, you did an incredible job of bringing the sides together. When my clients started out at 7 figures and the defense at 5 figures, managing a settlement in this case was quite a feat of brilliance."

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN LEGAL MALPRACTICE CASE

"Clap! Clap! Clap! Applause for your work in the settlement of [our case]. Your tenacity and artful mediation made it possible for all parties to settle with a sense they made a good deal. Great Work!"

THANK YOU CARD FROM COUNSEL FOR LIENHOLDER IN CATASTROPHIC INJURY CASE

"My compliments to you for not giving up on me and [co-defense counsel] when we were ready to call it a day. You worked very hard at pushing each side to achieve resolution in a case where the parties started so very far apart. We look forward to working with you in the future and, again, thank you so much!"

EMAIL FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN PREMISES LIABILITY CASE

"With the above case behind us I feel comfortable speaking with you directly regarding the mediation. I cannot tell you how impressed I was by your commitment to that difficult process. You may rest assured that my clients were made very aware what an extraordinary benefit they received by your 'above and beyond' patience and effort to bring the parties together. Thank you for your long hours and commitment."

EMAIL FROM DEFENDANTS' COUNSEL IN REAL ESTATE NONDISCLOSURE CASE

"My clients were very pleased with the settlement, as I believe [the opposing party] and his counsel were. I think the settlement you worked out will allow the parties, these neighbors, to go forward in a positive fashion, with some mutual respect they didn't have before. Thank you for your expertise and skillful assistance."

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL IN ENCROACHMENT/EASEMENT DISPUTE BETWEEN NEIGHBORS

"And thank you again for all you have done [in settling the case] - especially the stick-to-it-ness. If this were a bankruptcy case, you would win Mediator-of-the-year award hands down."

EMAIL FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN COMMERCIAL DISPUTE

"This is the second time I have had a successful mediation with Mr. Kruis."

LETTER TO COURT FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CASE

"I am thoroughly impressed with your mediation skills and techniques and your professionalism in mediating this matter."

LETTER TO COURT FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN PERSONAL INJURY MATTER

"I didn't have the opportunity to tell you this earlier, but I wanted to pass along to you on behalf of myself and my clients how much we appreciated the effort that you put into this. I realize that it was, you know, much ado about nothing, probably from the perspective of the types of mediations that you have become involved in. Nevertheless, at no time did you treat it as such and my clients were most impressed with you, as was I. Thank you again for your efforts."

LETTER FRM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN RESIDENTIAL LEASE MATTER

"I just wanted to express my sincere appreciation of the long, hard-working efforts of Mr. Kruis, towards bringing two very opposite sides together."

LETTER TO COURT FROM PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL IN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MATTER

"We wanted to express our gratitude for your efforts on our behalf during mediation. You have been gifted with the ability to evaluate and calmly see the parties you help through a difficult situation. We are so grateful [our counsel] placed us in your capable hands. Without your expertise, we are sure the outcome would not have been concluded successfully. God bless you."

THANK YOU CARD FROM HUSBAND AND WIFE (WHO WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN BUSINESS DISSOLUTION SUIT

"I just wanted to write you a quick note to thank you for your efforts yesterday at the mediation. You were a real blessing to me. Both your expertise and you integrity were clearly evident - and helped me get through a very trying process. I appreciate you and your work."

THANK YOU CARD FROM PLAINTIFF (WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN CLAIM AGAINST HOME-REMODEL CONTRACTOR

"Once again working with you was a pleasure. You are a master of your trade."

THANK YOU CARD FROM BROKER (WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN REAL ESTATE DISUPUTE

"It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday. I just wanted to say how impressed I was with how you handled our mediation. You were very understanding and helpful yet remained professional and were careful not to take sides. This has to be very difficult to do since you are an attorney, and it's probably in your nature to want to impress your opinion on the clients to give them legal advice. I will keep your card and refer you to anyone that needs a mediator."

LETTER FROM REAL ESTATE BROKER (WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MATTER

"My professional training is psychology with a specialization in organizational behavior. I admired the first class job you did in our mediation and it's rewarding to reflect with some distance and time on the process you managed."

LETTER FROM DEFENDANT (WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN REAL ESTATE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE CASE

"Steve, thanks so much for all your hard work on this one. Your diligence was one of the reasons we selected you in the first place, and I'm glad we did."

EMAIL FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN UNFAIR COMPETITION CASE

"Thank you for your assistance in resolving this matter. It was a difficult situation to say the least and emotionally very taxing for my client. Your handling of the mediation was very sensitive and went a long way to assisting us in reaching the settlement."

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL IN CASE BROUGHT BY WIDOW OF DECEASED LAW PARTNER AGAINST SURVIVING PARTNER

"I believe the enclosed documents complete my clients' portion of the settlement agreement so adroitly negotiated by Steve Kruis."

LETTER FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL TO PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN TRUST LITIGATION MATTER

"Thanks as always, Steve. You're the best."

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN EMPLOYMENT WAGE AND HOUR CASE

"The purpose of this letter is to both compliment and thank you for the excellent job you did on mediation of the above case on very short notice. The facts of this case were fairly complex. It was quite amazing how fast you were able to understand not only the nature of the dispute, but the finer distinctions of the dispute. I do not believe the case would have ever been settled without your help. As my client said when the case was over, the money spent on mediation was the best money spent in the case. Again, thanks for all your effort on this case."

LETTER FROM PLAINTIFFS' COUNSEL IN PARTNERSHIP DISPUTE

"Thank you for your considerable help mediating our settlement . . . . It is not often that one case involves issues of judicial foreclosure, multi-party cross-complaints, deficiency judgments, real estate broker malpractice, legal malpractice, subsurface toxic contamination, and tax liens."

LETTER FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN BUSINESS DISPUTE

"Mr. Kruis lived up to his well-deserved reputation as a diligent and effective mediator."

LETTER TO COURT FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN COMMERCIAL LEASE MATTER

"I enjoyed your approach to mediation. Your perseverance and calm but determined attitude kept us going when we thought we had reached an impasse."

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL IN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE NON-DISCLOSURE CASE

"Let's go with Steve Kruis. He's smart and hardworking, and his style tends to be calming for folks who aren't accustomed to the litigation process (which I think describes our respective clients)."

EMAIL BETWEEN COUNSEL IN CATASTROPHIC PERSONAL INJURY CASE

"Thank you again for your hard work and diligence on behalf of both parties. You have a true gift for mediating and we appreciate your positive efforts."

THANK YOU CARD FROM DEFENDANTS (WHO WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN BUSINESS DISSOLUTION SUIT

"Just a note to tell you how much my wife and I appreciated your assistance in our mediation. You were extremely professional and efficient in what you do, and it was for the most part stress free! You are a gentleman and mediator extraordinaire and it was a pleasure working with you!"

EMAIL FROM PLAINTIFF (WHO WAS REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL) IN EMPLOYMENT RETALIATION CLAIM

"We wanted to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the role you played in seeing [the mediation] to completion. This was a very difficult situation but because of you, we were encouraged to see it through to the end. Bless you dearly for all you did on both parties' behalf!"

THANK YOU CARD FROM PLAINTIFFS, A MARRIED COUPLE (WHO WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL), IN PARTNERSHIP DISPUTE

"It was a professional pleasure working with you last week. Your mediation style is refreshing and I appreciate the time you put into crafting our process."

LETTER FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN COMMERCIAL LOAN DISPUTE

"Good job yesterday. I honestly have to say I did not think it would settle. Your strategy and prep work paid off! See you on the next one."

EMAIL FROM DEFENSE COUNSEL IN PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY (REAL ESTATE LICENSEE) MATTER