Work History
Sole Practice Mediator & Attorney at Law, 1992–Present;
California Attorney since 1980.
Mediation Experience
Has conducted in excess of 900 mediations involving all aspects of civil litigation, including construction, business disputes, personal injury, medical malpractice and other claims. Is certified as a mediator through MC3.
Example of claims mediated over the past 22 years include:
Construction Claims: Construction defects, construction claims associated with subcontractors seeking additional funds for extra work, delay claims, cost overrun claims, liquidated damage claims, prompt payment claims, unlicensed contractor claims, prevailing wage and hour claims and others.
Real Estate Claims: Real estate broker negligence, real estate easement disputes, real estate boundary disputes, leasehold claims involving leasing airport facilities as well as big box retail leases.
Employment Claims: Sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, defamation, invasion of privacy, age discrimination, and wage and hour claims.
Personal Injury: Wrongful death, serious personal injury injuries, indemnity, insurance and joint tortfeasor claims.
Arbitration Experience
Has conducted a number of arbitrations, including a 6-day arbitration involving real estate fraud, real estate financing, appraisal issues, broker liability, duty to disclose claim in excess of $1 million dollars. Conducted a 5-day arbitration between builder and owner involving a construction of condominiums with an amount in controversy of $500,000. Has acted as arbitrator in excess of 15 uninsured motorist arbitrations, ranging in value from $10,000 to $1,000,000.
As an advocate, has arbitrated over 20 arbitrations, the value of which is between $10,000 and $5,000,000.
Legal Experience
Over 42 years, has tried in excess of 100 civil cases to verdict or decision. During that same time, has resolved or settled over 3,000 cases while representing one of the parties to the dispute.
Experience in construction claims on behalf of owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and lenders. Experience in both heavy road construction, as well as buildings (commercial, residential, governmental, hospitals and schools). Construction claims have dealt with construction defect, prevailing wage issues, and government contracts.
Experience in real estate matters, including boundary disputes, easements, title disputes, real estate purchase and sale claims. Has experience representing buyers, sellers, brokers, agents, surveyors and developers.
Represented over 1,000 litigants involved in personal injury claims (both plaintiff and defense). These include wrongful death and serious personal injury and elder abuse claims.
Represented both plaintiff and defense in the following types of employment claims: Wage and hour, including prevailing wage claims, age discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual discrimination claims.
Represented plaintiffs in a class action claims involving pensioner’s benefits which resolved for $5,600,000.00.
ADR Training
2022 AAA ACE 23 Process Essentials for AAA Arbitrators;
2021 AAA Advanced Mediation Skills for Global Commerce Resolution Training; AAA-ICDR Panel Conference; ACE21 Impartiality: Do You Know Where Your Biases Are? 2021; ACE20 Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility; 2021 AAA Advanced Mediation and Advocacy Skills for Global Commerce;
2020 ABA Virtual Spring Conference Dispute Resolution Section;
2019 Southern California Mediation Association Fall Conference advanced session;
2018 AAA ACE 18 – Arbitrator Performance and Demeanor – Meeting Participant Expectations, 2018; AAA Developments in Arbitration Law; Practice Focused Cases;
2017 AAA Best use of Med-Arb, 2017;
2016 AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices for New AAA Arbitrators, AAA Arbitration Awards – Safeguarding, Deciding and Writing Awards (ACE001),
Pepperdine Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution Trainings, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2002.
Professional Licenses
Admitted to California Bar, 1980; United States District Court Eastern District of California, 1980, United States District Court Northern District, 1984; United States District Court Central District 1999; 9th Circuit Court of Appeal 1998.
Professional Associations
California Bar Association
American Bar Association
Association of General Contractors
American Arbitration Association Affiliate Mediator
MC3 Certified Mediator
Southern California Mediation Association
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Fresno County, Eastern Madera County and Mariposa County Bar Associations.
Education
California State University, Fresno (BS 1976)
San Joaquin College of Law (JD 1980)
Awards and Honors
AV Rated Martindale Hubbell 2018-2022
SuperLawyers 2019-2022
MC3 Certified Mediator