Hon. W. Scott Snowden (Ret.) brings decades of judicial experience, case management leadership and settlement-focused insight to his work as a mediator, arbitrator and neutral evaluator. A former Napa Superior Court judge and pioneer of court-based mediation, Judge Snowden is known for helping parties move efficiently toward resolution while keeping the process grounded, fair and human.

His practice spans real estate, insurance, fire loss and complex commercial matters, with a particular emphasis on agribusiness. That focus is personal as well as professional: As the longtime owner of a vineyard and wine business, Judge Snowden brings a firsthand perspective to disputes involving land, operations, risk and livelihoods. 

That same “inside out” perspective shapes his mediation style. He looks beyond stated positions to understand what is truly driving the parties, then uses empathy, patience and steady attention to help clarify the problem and ease tension. For him, ADR is ultimately about service:

 “By far the most rewarding thing in this line of work is to be able to actually help people.”