John R. Griffiths, legal mediation pioneer John R. Griffiths, legal mediation pioneer (August 28, 2002)

John R. Griffiths, 68, a Palo alto resident and one of the architects of the special-master system for managing and mediating complex civil litigation, died July 29 following a seven-month battle with cancer.

He was born in Santa Barbara in 1934. He came to Palo Alto to attend Stanford University also attended its School of Law. There he met Ann Maris, whom he married in 1955.

He was the managing partner at the Palo Alto law firm Crist, Griffiths, Bryant, Schultz & Biorn until he left the firm in 1990 to open his own mediation firm, where he continued to mediate cases until a month before his death. His skill as a mediator placed him in great demand not only in the Bay Area and Southern California, but in other states as well.

Professionally, he will be remembered for his scrupulous fairness, keen intelligence, and patience and persistence in the face of difficult obstacles.

Those who knew him say his life was marked by a generosity of spirit and a zest for living. He was passionate about his work, travel, golf, and -- most of all -- his family.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ann Griffiths of Palo Alto; his four daughters, Jennifer Morrissey; Natalie Richardson; Susan Jones; and Ann Elizabeth Griffiths; and seven grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held Sept. 5 at 4:30 p.m. at Stanford University Memorial Church. Donations in his memory may be made to Pathways Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, or Living Strong, Living Well, 730 Welch Road, Suite B, Palo Alto, 94304.