About Howard
Howard Herman trained at two University of California campuses. He earned an A.B. from UC Berkeley and took his law degree at UC Hastings College of the Law (now University of California College of the Law, San Francisco). Those academic years gave him a foundation in legal analysis and courtroom practice.
He built a career in California law before moving into mediation. In 2020 he joined JAMS as a mediator. That role followed years of work in the private bar and court-related settings, where he handled litigation, client counseling and settlement negotiations. He brought that litigation background into the mediation room, where the emphasis shifts from winning to resolving.
As a mediator, Herman manages a wide range of disputes. He works with counsel and clients to frame issues, test settlement options and craft durable agreements. His approach tends to be methodical. He listens to each side, separates the legal from the practical, and presses parties to confront the realistic outcomes of continued litigation. Short sessions can narrow issues. Longer days are sometimes needed to bridge gaps.
Colleagues and participants describe him as even-handed and clear. He does not rely on theatrical tactics. Instead he seeks clarity and workable terms. That style suits cases where temperature is high and interests are complex. Mediations often require patience and structure; he brings both to the table.
Herman has also maintained links to professional life beyond his mediator role. Records show an association membership that dates back to 1983 and continues to the present. He maintains his practice eligibility in California and draws on decades of litigation experience when guiding parties through settlement discussions. Those years of practice inform his assessments of likely trial outcomes, settlement value and the practical burdens of continued litigation.
Outside the hearing room he has participated in panels and continuing education programs on dispute resolution methods. He has spoken about the mechanics of mediation and about strategies for preparing clients and counsel for productive sessions. He prefers practical advice over abstract theory, and he communicates in direct terms.
He currently serves as a mediator at JAMS in California, handling civil dispute resolution.
