About Len Cooper
About Len Cooper AAMINZ
Practical thinking. Attention to detail. A focus on resolution.
Len Cooper is an Auckland-based mediator and Associate member of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand (AAMINZ).
Len's approach to mediation is based on a simple principle:
Understand the dispute properly before trying to resolve it.
Disputes are rarely as simple as the positions initially presented by the parties. Behind them may be years of history, misunderstood agreements, financial pressures, damaged relationships, competing expectations or important details buried in correspondence and documents.
Len has a particular ability to absorb detailed information, identify the issues that really matter and look for practical solutions that may have been overlooked.
An independent perspective
Len brings extensive real-world experience and an independent perspective from outside legal practice.
He does not replace the role of lawyers or provide legal advice. Instead, his role as mediator is to help the parties examine the dispute objectively, clarify the issues, understand each other's positions and explore realistic possibilities for settlement.
Where lawyers or other professional advisers are involved, Len welcomes their contribution to the mediation process.
His focus is not on determining a winner and loser. It is on helping the parties determine whether there is a solution they can both live with.
A practical approach to difficult problems
Len is particularly suited to disputes involving substantial documentation, complicated histories or parties who have become entrenched in their positions.
He is patient, analytical and persistent.
Sometimes the pathway to settlement isn't immediately obvious. Len's strength is looking beyond the positions being argued to identify what is actually preventing resolution.
Resolution rather than escalation
Litigation is sometimes necessary.
But there are many disputes where the financial and personal cost of continuing the fight becomes greater than the value of resolving it.
Mediation provides another option.
Len's objective is to create an environment in which difficult conversations can occur constructively and the parties can explore practical, realistic and mutually acceptable solutions.
Len Cooper AAMINZ
Independent Mediator — Auckland & New Zealand
“Len has a practical bent and understanding of how things work and where resolution is achievable. He has a unique understanding of human nature and is well experienced in approaching difficult and, at first glance, unsolvable problems with innovative solutions, applying proportionate approaches to obtaining resolution. Len is highly recommended.”
Robert Hucker, Barrister
Experience resolving real disputes
Len's dispute-resolution experience includes assisting people through difficult employment conflict and helping negotiate agreement in complex family and trust matters.
“Len was hugely instrumental in negotiating a successful outcome that was agreed by all parties in my family dispute regarding complex trust matters. I highly recommend him for his calm and reasonable manner. He was my pair of safe hands.”
Ruby
Another client describes Len's assistance during a difficult employment dispute:
“Len facilitated and supported me through the mediation process using his skills to identify the issues, clearly define the core problems and assisted me to confront the behaviour and motivation that led to the conflict, all of which led to a favourable outcome.”
Brett