Joseph Anthony Castagnola

Joe Castagnola, Attorney, Mediator, and Arbitrator.

Joe has recently begun participation in the CA Judicial Mentor Program - North Bay, as a mentee (11/2023).

2023 Sonoma County Pro Bono Award recipient. 

With strong qualifications and a track record for success, this highly experienced and educated attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and temporary judge has demonstrated the ability to achieve impressive outcomes in challenging circumstances, and has a proven ability to analyze complicated situations and implement appropriate solutions within the law. Joe is widely recognized among his collogues as being “over prepared” for every assignment.

Joe is admitted to practice before the following courts: The Supreme Court of the United States (#318544), The Supreme Court of the State of California (#317368), The Supreme Court of the State of Wisconsin (#1134504), The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, The U.S. Tax Court (#CJ23244), The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, The U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, The U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (#37879), and The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.

Real Estate Sales:

Having been in the real estate sales/mortgage industry since 2006, Joe brings a dynamic to real estate transactions that most attorneys can't and that no real estate agent can.

Give Joe a call about any real estate transaction including FSBOs for a free consultation.

Get better results with a real estate attorney in your corner.

Solutions Based Mediation:

Because mediation is not a “one size fits all" option, as a mediator, Joe specializes in working with the parties to develop effective solutions that are appropriate for their unique situation.

Joe will mediate disputes in the areas of: family law, employment disputes, business disputes, disputes with an emphasis on real estate or insurance issues, and interpersonal disputes.

It is important to Joe that he works with parties engaged in a dispute where mediation is appropriate; therefore he does not charge for initial consultations. During your initial consultation, Joe will personally speak with either or both parties over the phone or in person so that all sides can make an educated decision as to the most prudent way to proceed.

While Joe does not always find that mediation is right for every situation, he commonly recommends an attempt to mediate a dispute prior to taking the more aggressive approach of legal action. That is because mediation often proves to be more effective, saves time, emotion, and money; and because in mediation, nothing bad should happen… When an agreement is reached through mediation, it is because both sides have agreed to it. This is much different than where a judge or an arbitrator tells the parties what the outcome will be. And since the opinions of judges and arbitrators can and do vary, mediation is a much “safer” first option.

Joe has an efficient and productive mediation style, so much so that he prefers that the parties bring snacks and drinks for themselves to avoid unnecessary interruptions in the mediation session as progress in made. Joe maintains neutrality at all times, and is completely dedicated to facilitating success.

Two things that Joe is not is a therapist or an arbitrator. These are important acknowledgements because he does not make decisions for the parties or force them into agreements. While he does find it very important to hear and understand the emotional aspects of a dispute, Joe keeps the mediation process on track so that it does not begin to resemble a therapy session.

In addition to numerous hours of training and continuing education in mediation, Joe has over ten years of experience working in the real estate, mortgage, and insurance industries; experience in working with Fortune 500 Companies; as well as in domestic, landlord/tenant, and family disputes.

Mediation Financial Assistance:

Everyone should have access to quality dispute resolution services at an affordable price. Through the Mediation Financial Assistance Program, you may qualify for a reduction of up to $100 per hour in your mediation fees. Ask about the Mediation Financial Assistance Program when you contact us for more information.