Now Accepting Mediation Cases — Los Angeles County
With nearly five decades in employment law, Diane Louise Kimberlin has earned a reputation as one of the most respected mediators and settlement officers in California. Her career is defined by one unwavering belief: that resolution, not prolonged conflict, serves justice best.
Graduated from one of the nation’s premier law schools, laying the foundation for a career defined by intellectual rigor and a commitment to justice.
Eight formative years fighting for employee rights. This early career chapter gave Diane an invaluable understanding of the worker’s perspective — one she carries into every mediation she conducts today.
Began a 37-year tenure at the world’s largest employment law firm, rising to Shareholder and becoming a leading voice in Wage & Hour litigation and employer defense.
Named to The Best Lawyers in America for 15 consecutive years and selected as a Super Lawyer across multiple periods — recognition reserved for the top tier of legal practitioners.
Completed formal ADR training at Pepperdine University’s prestigious Straus Institute, adding rigorous methodology to decades of courtroom intuition.
Transitioning from the courtroom to the conference room. Now dedicating her expertise to helping parties navigate out of conflict and into closure.
I’ve learned that the most powerful tool in any dispute isn’t a legal argument — it’s the willingness to listen. When both sides feel heard, resolution follows.
Having represented both unions and management, Diane understands the motivations, fears, and pressures on every side of an employment dispute.
Resolution begins with listening. Diane creates space for each party to be heard before guiding the conversation toward common ground.
Justice isn’t always found in a verdict. Diane believes the most durable outcomes are those both parties arrive at willingly — with dignity intact.
Diane earned her Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law in 1976, where she developed the analytical framework that would define her practice. UCLA’s emphasis on public interest and social justice resonated deeply with her belief that the law should serve all people — not just those who can afford it.
Decades later, seeking to formalize her transition to mediation, Diane enrolled in the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University. The program’s emphasis on principled negotiation and structured mediation methodology complemented — and sharpened — the intuition she had built over 45 years in the courtroom.
License #71487 · Admitted 1976
Shareholder · 1985 – Present
Dispute Resolution · 2022
Juris Doctor · Class of 1976
Recognition in the legal profession comes from one’s peers — those who know the rigor of the work firsthand. Diane’s consistent inclusion among the nation’s best speaks to a career of sustained, measurable excellence.
Named consecutively for fifteen years to the most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Selection is based entirely on the confidential evaluation of fellow practitioners.
Selected across multiple consecutive periods through a rigorous, multi-phase process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and evaluation. Only 5% of attorneys receive this distinction.
Diane’s commitment to Los Angeles extends far beyond the courtroom. As President of the Executive Committee for Counsel for Justice, she helps deliver legal services to veterans, domestic violence survivors, immigrants, and those affected by AIDS.
For over 25 years, she has served on the Board of Regis House Community Center, providing a safe haven for underserved families. She also sits on the Board of Craft in America, promoting original handcrafted work through Peabody Award-winning documentaries.
These aren’t line items on a resume. They are the expression of a deeply held belief: that legal expertise is a privilege, and that privilege must be shared.
“Legal expertise is a privilege — and that privilege must be shared with the underserved.”
Schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your employment dispute.