Our Philosophy: Resolving Disputes with Empathy and Expertise

A Note From Perspective ADR’s Founder and President, Aaron Wais

I founded Perspective ADR because, after twenty-plus years of litigating, I wanted to redirect the energy and enthusiasm that I brought to litigation to resolving disputes and advancing careers. The company is an extension of my growth as an individual and my understanding that the diplomacy, empathy, pragmatism, and ability to listen and communicate that have been staples of my personal and professional life could benefit others in different, less contentious ways.

Mediation, counseling, and coaching require trust; everyone who seeks out Perspective ADR trusts us with something important, whether it be the resolution of a case or the advancement of a career. Given the trust you are placing in me, I want you to better understand who I am as a person, why I am, and my goals for Perspective ADR.

I moved multiple times as a child (from Detroit to Austin to Virginia Beach), for college and law school (from the small college town of Williamsburg, Virginia to our capital city, Washington, D.C.), and as a professional (from Boston to Los Angeles).

Moving multiple times was not easy. I had to repeatedly make new friends and fit into markedly diverse environments, communities, and companies. The challenge of moving, however, helped me grow. I learned how to adapt, be fluid in my thinking, and how to listen to, communicate, and connect with considerably different individuals.

Equally challenging was my path to becoming an attorney. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, and there were no lawyers in my family. Prior to becoming a law firm associate, I was a cashier at KFC, a bagger at a local grocery store, a dishwasher, a member of the groundskeeping crew at an industrial port, and a server at Ruby Tuesday’s (a chain restaurant). None of these jobs taught me how to practice law, but they did teach me the meaning of hard work and reinforced that I am not better than anyone else or above any task. I brought that work ethic and respect for others to my legal career.

Coming into the legal profession blind meant I had to learn on the fly—everything from practicing law to navigating the legal profession. The road was not always smooth, but those bumps helped me grow as a person and an attorney, and over time, I excelled. I rose to become a partner at one, then a second, prominent law firm before eventually becoming the Head of Global Litigation for the Motion Picture Association. During this time, I litigated cases of all sizes, including high-profile and precedent-setting cases. (I will never forget how surreal it was to have my grandmother call me during a nationally covered trial to tell me she had seen me on Inside Edition and say, “You looked very handsome in your suit.”)

I do not view my career as successful solely because I achieved great results for many clients; rather, I also succeeded by helping others grow as attorneys and go on to have successful careers. At every stop, I focused on mentorship, including co-chairing the first formal mentor program at one of my law firms. Whether it was providing practical advice like brief writing or providing a sympathetic ear for someone to vent to, I always found the intrinsic and extrinsic value in mentoring.

It is out of this life path that Perspective ADR was born. To learn more about Perspective ADR’s services, please click on the relevant link below. I look forward to working with each of you.