Derek Smith

Mediator & Arbitrator

Discrimination
Employment Claims
Personal Injury
Sexual Assault Claims
Wage and Hour

Book your mediation at your preferred time

Biographical Info

Derek Smith is a Harvard Law School and Cornell University Certified Mediator with over 30 years of employment law experience. He has participated in thousands of mediations involving sexual harassment, discrimination, and all areas of employment law. Derek Smith has 30 years of experience on both the management side and the employee side. Derek Smith has been in the unique position of being an employer managing hundreds of employees in his law firm while also representing thousands of employee clients who have been discriminated or sexually harassed. He understands all possible issues and perspectives in these cases.
Derek brings more than just presence to a mediation—he brings purpose. Unlike mediators who simply shuttle messages between rooms, Derek rolls up his sleeves and actively works to bridge gaps. His client is the settlement. His success is defined by one thing: a signed agreement that allows the parties to move forward.
While he challenges assumptions and pushes both sides to think critically, Derek also listens with empathy and ensures every perspective is fully understood. Though, as a lawyer, he primarily litigates on the plaintiff's side, Derek is unwaveringly neutral in mediation. His only allegiance is to resolution. Derek was inspired to become a mediator after witnessing the apathy many of the "usual" mediators were exhibiting in mediation. Perhaps these usual mediators have become bored over the years, but Derek has been disheartened by the lack of most mediators' dedication to the settlement process. He longed for the mediators of years gone by who used to follow up with multiple calls after the mediation to try and settle the case; or mediators who would not "let" parties leave before trying every last way to settle the case. A lot of mediators don't seem to care if the cases settle or not nowadays. Don't get Derek wrong - There are a fair amount of good mediators out there. It us just they are few and far between as of late.
And if the case doesn’t settle on day one, don’t expect Derek to disappear. He stays engaged—following up with calls, emails, and creative proposals, even suggesting a second session if he believes it could help get the deal done. Derek can mediate for you in person or via zoom or Teams anywhere in the world. Derek is available in person at Anthem Mediation' physical office locations in New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C. or he can travel to your location anywhere in the world for an extra fee.