Attorney Mayra Fornos

Mayra Fornos, Esq is a distinguished attorney, mediator, legal educator and strategist with over thirty years of experience as a trial attorney and litigator.  She has extensive experience in working closely with defense counsel to facilitate optimal outcomes for all stakeholders over a broad range of legal disputes. Her experience in the courtroom has equipped her with a deep understanding of the trial process and of jury behavior, experience which has served her well in effectively assessing the risks of going to trial and case valuation considerations for the benefit of both the defense and plaintiff.

Her expertise spans catastrophic personal injury, sexual abuse, elder/dependent adult care abuse, medical negligence, employment disputes, business/contract disputes, intellectual property, civil rights, and ADA issues. Recognized as one of the top lawyers in California, she has been listed in “Best Lawyers” since 2011 and “Super Lawyers” since 2012, and as one of the top 50 women attorneys of Southern California. Ms. Fornos is frequently requested to speak at legal conferences, public forums including hospitals and corporations, and has effectively advised on minimizing legal exposures as well as strategies for achieving resolution of conflict. Moreover, she has consistently been named one of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in Southern California.

Ms. Fornos is highly regarded for her practical wisdom, unwavering work ethic, professionalism, and amicable nature. These qualities, together with her meticulous preparation for mediation, have not only earned her the respect of her peers both in and out of the courtroom, but have also guided her career as a Mediator. Combining her legal insight with empathetic intelligence, she has achieved remarkable success in facilitating dispute resolution for litigants, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individuals and small businesses. As one client unequivocally stated in a performance review after a Mediation”: “I thank Ms. Fornos for her great service and ADR Services Inc. for availing us of the services of such a phenomenal mediator/peace maker and magician”.

Her approach to mediation and conflict resolution is assertive and positive and rooted in her commitment to establishing an environment of trust and fairness. Ms. Fornos prioritizes a deep understanding of the facts of each case to facilitate mutually beneficial resolutions. Regardless of complexity, she consistently achieves fair and judicious outcomes, attributing her success to her legal acumen, understanding attitude, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

Ms. Fornos’s dedication to dispute resolution is unwavering. She serves as a Mediator for the U.S. District Court, the Los Angeles Superior Court, and serves as a settlement officer for “Resolve Law LA.”.  Additionally, she has very recently been selected by the City of Los Angeles to serve on their  “Equity Review Panel” for workplace disputes.

Having immigrated to America from Cuba during the Cuban Revolution at a young age, Ms. Fornos is fluent in Spanish. Her multicultural background enhances her ability to effectively serve a diverse client base. Her exceptional ability to empathize with the viewpoints of all litigants has been instrumental in her successful career as a Mediator. Ms. Fornos embodies the epitome of professionalism, empathy, and resolve, making her an invaluable asset to the legal profession.

In her free time, Ms. Fornos enjoys spending time with her husband and family, reading, and playing beach tennis and pickleball.

Ms. Fornos is fluent in Spanish and draws upon a unique multicultural perspective, along with her respectful and patient approach, to effectively serve clients of many different backgrounds.

Mayra’s Areas of Expertise

  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Elder Abuse/Dependent Adult Care Abuse
  • Wrongful Death
  • Sexual Harassment/Abuse
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Employment Discrimination
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Family Law
  • Business Disputes

Education

  • Juris Doctor, University of West Los Angeles School of Law
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, California State University of Long Beach

Professional Associations

  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), Emeritus
  • Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)
  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC), Affiliate Member
  • Loyola Law School, Civil Justice Program Steering Committee
  • California Women’s Law Center, Former Board Member
  • Culver City Disability Advisory Committee
  • Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charity, Founding Friend
  • South Bay Bar Association
  • Southern California Mediation Association
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ)