Biography
Stephen Liacouras has been mediating complex civil disputes since 2001. As Chief Circuit Mediator for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, he led the nation’s largest court-staffed appellate mediation program while maintaining an active mediation caseload including commercial, employment, civil rights, technology, insurance, ERISA, environmental, and other civil disputes. Over 25 years, Stephen has helped parties resolve more than 2,000 cases.
Clients describe Stephen as warm and intelligent, someone who connects easily with people and earns their trust. They point to his skill in knowing when and how to intervene, keeping even the most difficult negotiations on track to settlement.
Before he began mediating full time, Stephen practiced civil litigation in San Francisco, served as general counsel to a technology company in Austin, Texas, and supervised staff attorneys at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Chief Judge Dolores Sloviter of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Stephen earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and graduated from UC Berkeley with highest distinction.
Mediation Background and Experience
Full-time mediator since 2001, helping parties resolve more than 2,000 complex civil disputes.
Chief Circuit Mediator, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2018–2026; Circuit Mediator, 2001–2018. Led the nation’s largest court-staffed appellate mediation program.
Mediated thousands of federal appeals and hundreds of trial court matters throughout the Ninth Circuit.
Member, Mediation Panel, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 2011–2026.
Extensive experience teaching mediation and negotiation, including six years as an adjunct professor teaching Negotiation and Settlement at UC Law San Francisco.