About Us
About Settlement Value | Litigation Decision Analysis Experts
Canada's Litigation Decision Analysis Consultancy
Settlement Value is Canada’s litigation decision analysis firm, helping lawyers, corporations, and insurers make data-driven settlement decisions using advanced decision tree methodology. We transform subjective case evaluations into quantifiable settlement values by guiding legal teams through a structured process to assess their own case risks and probabilities.
Our Founder
Combining Mathematical Expertise with Litigation Expertise
Kathryn Podrebarac, the founder of Settlement Value, brings over 30 years of experience litigating and resolving complex disputes to her work supporting legal professionals with analytical tools for case evaluation. With an educational foundation in mathematics and science before pursuing law, Kathryn possesses a natural affinity for quantitative analytical thinking that complements her legal expertise.
A Harvard-trained mediator, Kathryn has earned recognition as a member of the prestigious Canadian Association of Distinguished Neutrals—an honor reserved for the most in-demand dispute resolution professionals who are nominated by peers and approved by practicing litigators.
Kathryn’s journey into decision analysis began a decade ago with training from Marjorie Corman Aaron, a pioneer in the field and author of the authoritative text *Risk and Rigor: A Lawyer’s Guide to Decision Trees for Assessing Cases and Advising Clients*. Kathryn has continuously enhanced her knowledge through advanced decision analysis training and study.
Our Decision Analysis Methodology
We specialize in applying rigorous decision analysis to legal disputes across Canada. Our approach:
Guides your legal team through creating comprehensive litigation decision trees that map every potential case outcome
Helps you assign probability values to all possible legal scenarios based on your team's expert judgment
Calculates the risk-adjusted settlement value accounting for damages, costs, and interest
Identifies the zone of possible agreement (ZOPA) for efficient negotiations
Provides clear visualization of case valuation for improved client communication
By replacing subjective litigation assessment with structured settlement valuation, we help legal professionals achieve optimal resolution strategies backed by mathematical precision—all while respecting that your team remains the legal subject matter expert.
Our Unique Collaborative Approach
At Settlement Value, Kathryn collaborates with lawyers who provide their own assessments based on their intimate knowledge of their cases. She constructs decision trees and provides reporting that enables legal professionals to visualize and communicate the risk-adjusted value of the case to their clients.
What sets Settlement Value apart is this collaborative methodology. Unlike consultants who attempt to assess legal risks themselves, we work directly with your legal team to:
Structure the decision analysis framework properly
1
Guide your experts through best practices for probability assessment
2
Apply litigation decision analysis software to transform your assessments into actionable settlement values
3
Present results in clear, compelling formats that enhance client communication and negotiation strategy
4
This approach ensures that the analysis incorporates your team’s legal expertise while benefiting from our decision analysis specialization.
Our Commitment to Decision Excellence
At Settlement Value, we are dedicated to:
- Facilitating objective litigation risk assessments based on your legal team's expertise
- Maintaining strict confidentiality
- Providing actionable settlement negotiation strategies that respect your legal judgment
- Advancing decision analysis techniques in legal practice through ongoing research
- Training legal professionals in decision tree methodology for case valuation
Transform Your Settlement Strategy
Whether you’re managing complex commercial litigation, evaluating class action risk, or seeking to enhance your firm’s analytical capabilities, Settlement Value provides the decision analysis expertise to optimize your settlement outcomes—working hand-in-hand with your legal team.
