Hon. Frank Ochoa, (Ret.) brings 49 years in the law and 32 years as a trial court judge in all types of civil matters to your case. Recognized statewide for his leadership on the bench, he has successfully mediated and resolved thousands of cases. He designed and implemented the Santa Barbara Superior Court's ADR program (CADRe) which is a model in the state, and which has greatly benefited litigated case disposition for over two decades.
Robert M. Sanger, Esq. has 51 years of experience in complex litigation. He is renowned as a successful trial attorney in state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has mediated and arbitrated a multitude of cases to conclusion, including co-mediations with Judge Ochoa.
Both earned certificates from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law, the most respected ADR educational program in the country.
Santa Barbara is a unique resort destination community. And your destination is to find a resolution to your dispute. You have found both-in Santa Barbara Destination Dispute Resolution (SBDDR).
If you come from afar, we can provide you with referrals to First Class Hotels where you will receive a special SBDDR rate for your stay. You can bring the spouse and the kids. Let them play on the beach while you resolve your dispute. Best of both worlds!
Our Facilities
Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Santa Barbara, one block from the historic County Courthouse. We are close to the best restaurant and shopping areas in town. We have two spacious conference rooms and up to four additional break-out caucus spaces with breathtaking views of the pastoral and serene Santa Barbara Rivera foothills.
What is Mediation?
A mediation is a voluntary process where all parties to a dispute agree to be helped by a professional neutral to fashion a resolution to their dispute. Participation is voluntary. No one can be forced to mediate.
What is Arbitration?
An arbitration is a process which is similar to a court, or judge trial. The parties to a dispute agree to, or are bound by contract to, arbitrate their case before a selected neutral. The arbitrator hears evidence, applies the law, and makes a decision. The major difference is that an arbitration does not occur in a public courtroom. It occurs in a private setting and generally stays there.
In addition to being ADR specialists, Ochoa and Sanger are experts at courtroom litigation. The courtroom is expensive, time consuming, exasperating, and unpredictable. You don't need or want to resolve your dispute there if you don't have to.
We know the courtroom. Our job is to keep you out of it, saving you time, money and heartache. We seek to get that big boulder in your life's pathway into your rear view mirror. We always encourage disputants to have advice of counsel, but we can conduct an ADR process with or without representation.
The first step is for us to work with you and come up with a plan to get the results you need. Through our understanding of the law and ADR processes, and your understanding of your own circumstances, we will craft an individualized path to a just resolution.
SBDDR collaborates with other experts in the field. We will handle your matter. Or we will comb our expert ADR contact list to get just the right professional neutral for your case.
And, we are fully equipped to handle web-based ADR. We have conducted full mediations to a successful conclusion, without anyone leaving their home.
Don't wait! Whether it's mediation, arbitration or another Alternative Dispute Resolution process, we can guide you down the road to dispute resolution. Contact us for a free phone consultation. Let us help you figure out what your best next steps are. The sooner you have a plan of action, the better your chances of making the correct moves to get a fair and just result.