Mediator Resume

Highly experienced attorney, mediator, and arbitrator with more than 30 years of legal experience, including the past decade devoted exclusively to full-time neutral work. Has handled over 1,000 mediations and arbitrations across a broad range of civil and commercial matters. Known for thorough preparation, persistence, and a practical, results-focused approach that helps parties achieve fair and lasting resolutions.

Sambold Law & ADR - Principal & Founder

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Principal and Founder, Sambold Law & ADR, 2015 - Present; ADR Professor, USD, 2021 - Present; Mediator & Trainer, National Conflict Resolution Center, 2011 - 2015; Special Counsel, Procopio Cory Hargreaves & Savitch LLP, 1999; In-House Counsel, Leasing Industrial, 1998.

Over a decade of experience as a full-time mediator and arbitrator. Has served as a neutral in over 1,000 cases across a broad spectrum of civil litigation matters involving commercial, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation, partnerships management/dissolution, creditor - debtor, insurance coverage, subrogation, uninsured motorist, vehicle accident, slip and fall, construction defect, defamation, personal injury, professional malpractice, attorneys’ fees, real estate transactions, co-ownership, partitions, easements, boundaries, landlord/tenant, HOAs, procuring cause, torts, business, consumer, auto manufacturer’s warranty, employment and labor, civil rights, discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation, wage and hour, wrongful termination, succession, trusts, family, elder abuse.

More than 10 years of experience as mediator for institutional dispute resolution panels throughout the world, including American Arbitration Association, International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), International Institute of Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), West Coast Resolution, and Madrid International Mediation Center among others. Has served as a neutral in over 1,000 cases involving a broad spectrum of civil litigation matters including: · Business/Commercial: Purchase and sale of businesses, disagreements in the management, dissolution of partnerships, valuation, accounting, tracing and distribution of assets between former partners; joint ventures; non-compete agreements; banking; intellectual property; misappropriation of trademark and trade secrets; unfair competition; franchise agreements; breach of contract; licensing; distribution rights; bankruptcy; royalties; commercial transactions; debtor/creditor; consumer matters; vehicle manufacturer’s warranties: Lemon Law; professional negligence, fraud, misappropriation, and alleged misrepresentations. · Employment: Disputes involving claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment; independent contractors; employee misclassification; Fair Employment and Housing Act (FIHA), Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), Private Attorneys Act (PAGA), civil rights violations, discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, disabilities and failure to accommodate; retaliation, wage and hour, overtime; unlawful wage deductions; meal and rest periods; final wages; wage statements; employment and personnel records; paid sick leave; nonpayment of wages; whistleblowers, workers' compensation, denial of promotion, failure to hire, negligent supervision. · Real Estate: purchase and sale of real estate; easements, boundaries, partition and title; claims of nuisance; necessary disclosures; loan refinancing and foreclosures; broker/agent/client disputes related to commission, procuring cause; landlord/tenant disputes involving breach of implied warranty of habitability, quiet enjoyment of property, property damages, bad faith retention of security deposits, unpaid rent and utilities, water intrusion, mold related claims, constructive eviction, detainer, property management, trespass; neighbor disputes over property lines, fences, view, encroachments, drainage issues, use and access to property; construction defect; civil harassment cases between neighbors; Homeowners association disputes regarding compliance with CC&Rs, fees, liability for repairs, restoration of property, unauthorized improvements and breach of fiduciary duties. · Torts - Wrongful Death - Personal Injury: Disputes resulting from motor vehicle accidents, tripping hazards, slip and fall, and premises liability claims; claims regarding injuries caused by medical and dental malpractice alleging improper diagnosis, treatment and surgery; COVID-19 related claims; civil assault and battery claims; legal malpractice; attorney fees disputes; intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress; invasion of privacy, defamation and slander per se. · Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith: Claims arising out of insurance coverage and subrogation matters, claims of insurance bad faith, duty to defend, indemnity, reimbursement and uninsured motorists. · Wills, Trusts and Estates: Disputes involving administration of family trust, estate, will/trust beneficiaries, appointment of trustees, validity of testamentary bequests, trustee and estate administrator breach of fiduciary duties; partition actions; constructive trusts; accounting, inventory, appraisal and distribution of assets among trust beneficiaries, administration of trusts, claims of elder abuse, undue influence. · Cases involving multinational parties and multicultural issues

· Business/Commercial: Effective resolution of disputes involving breach of contract, commercial transactions and debtor/creditor matters; banking, unauthorized and fraudulent transactions; claims arising out insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, subrogation matters, reimbursement for payments made by an insurance company; claims arising out of the purchase and sale of businesses, trade secrets, disagreements in the management, dissolution of partnerships and distribution of assets between former partners; disputes over alleged damages caused by professional negligence and alleged misrepresentations; attorney's fees disputes; consumer complaints; claims involving quality of workmanship, construction defect and overcharges. Auto-manufacturer's warranty, Lemon law. · Employment: Claims of discrimination based on gender, race, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and disability, unlawful termination, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), failure to accommodate, retaliation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, violations of Pregnancy Discrimination Act (ADA). Claims involving transgender/transsexual employees, hostile work environment, harassment, severe sexual harassment, failure to engage in timely good faith interactive process regarding employee’s disability under FEHA. Claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, wage and hour violations under Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Non-compete agreements. Violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, failure to promote, retaliation for filing the discrimination charge. Denial of disability accommodations, internal ethics investigation, defamation, denial of work opportunities, failure to pay overtime wages, minimum wages, to provide meal periods and compensation in lieu thereof, failure to authorize and permit paid rest periods, furnish accurate itemized wage statements, pay “nanny taxes”, violations of California Labor Code §203 and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Negligence, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual comments, unwanted sexual advances, unwanted touching, open sexual assault during employment, racist comments, denial of reinstatement of seniority, wrongful termination, work relocation, failure to hire, and negligent supervision. Real Estate: Resolution of cases arising out of the purchase and sale of real estate; disputes involving easements, boundaries, partition and title; claims of nuisance; necessary disclosures; loan refinancing and foreclosures; Resolution of neighbor disputes over property lines, view, use and access to property; civil harassment cases between neighbors. Landlord/Tenant disputes regarding breach of implied warranty of habitability, quiet enjoyment of property, Temporary Restraining Orders for alleged threats of physical violence, property damages, bad faith retention of security deposits, unpaid rent and utilities, mold related claims, constructive eviction, unlawful detainers, and trespass. Homeowners' association disputes regarding compliance with CC&Rs, Sterling Act, liability and failure to pay for repairs, restoration of property, unauthorized improvements and breach of fiduciary duties. · Personal Injury: Disputes resulting from motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, tripping hazards, slip and fall, and other premises liability claims. Claims regarding injuries caused by medical and dental malpractice alleging improper diagnosis, treatment and surgery, dog bites, civil assault and battery claims. · Family/Probate/Trusts: Caretaker and competency issues between adult siblings and their parents; elder abuse; Marvin actions; living trusts, wills, disputes between family members over management of family business.

My approach to mediation is grounded in preparation, empathy, and persistence. Every case is unique, and I devote significant time before each session to understanding the dispute, the people, and the dynamics involved. I carefully review the mediation briefs and supporting materials, speak with counsel, and learn as much as I can about the history and underlying issues. This pre-mediation work allows me to customize the process to fit the needs of the case and the personalities of the participants. I strive to create a constructive, respectful, and forward-looking environment where parties feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and exploring solutions. I believe that mediation is not only about resolving a dispute—it’s about helping people move forward. Regardless of the nature of the dispute, my focus is always on helping the parties make informed decisions that lead to positive outcomes and closure. During the mediation session, I take an active, hands-on approach—facilitating candid and productive dialogue while ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. I encourage meaningful information exchange and open communication so that decision-makers can fully appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of their own positions as well as those of the other side. My process emphasizes both objectivity and empathy, helping parties realistically assess risks, identify shared interests, and discover creative settlement options that might not emerge through litigation or arbitration. I am known for being persistent, analytical, thoughtful, and intuitive, and very creative. I work hard before, during, and after each session to help the parties move closer to resolution, often continuing discussions or follow-up after the initial session if progress can still be made. My role is to help parties explore pathways that make sense—both legally and personally—and to guide them through difficult moments in a way that feels fair and constructive. My mediation style is both structured and flexible. I adjust the logistics and procedures to accommodate the circumstances and dynamics of each matter. Regardless of the format, I aim to maintain forward momentum and ensure that each participant feels heard, respected, and engaged in the process. I view my role as helping parties find resolution on their own terms. I encourage realistic, interest-based discussions focused on practical outcomes and long-term goals. My goal is always to help the parties achieve closure—reaching a settlement that not only resolves the dispute but also leaves the participants with a sense of dignity, fairness, and satisfaction with the process.

Experienced in conducting mediations, arbitrations, hearings, and conferences through leading videoconferencing platforms, including Zoom and Microsoft Teams, ensuring seamless participation for parties and counsel across jurisdictions. Skilled in managing digital case files and secure document exchange through cloud-based platforms such as Dropbox, ShareFile, and Google Docs, as well as using DocuSign for secure e-signatures and agreement execution. Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 applications—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook—and in Adobe PDF tools for efficient case preparation, document review, and presentation. Adept at integrating AI-driven and online collaboration tools to enhance communication, streamline workflow, and uphold confidentiality and cybersecurity standards in all technology-assisted dispute resolution processes.

University of San Diego School of Law (Master of Laws-2008); Javeriana University (JD-1993). Columbia Law School & Chartered Institute of Arbitrators “CIArb” (Comprehensive Course on International Arbitration-2019); Harvard Law School (Program on Negotiation, Advanced Mediation Workshop; Mediating Complex Disputes-2016); Pepperdine University School of Law – Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution (Mediating the Litigated Case-2012).

Admitted to the Bar: California (2015), Colombia (1993); U.S. District Court: Southern District of California (2015); U.S. Supreme Court (2024).

Has been recognized as a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN), an International Mediation Institute (IMI) Certified Mediator, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF) — a global society of attorneys limited to the top one percent of lawyers in each jurisdiction. As leading figure in the field of dispute resolution, has held numerous leadership roles at the national, state, and local levels, including: American Bar Association (ABA) – Dispute Resolution Section: Section Chair (2023–2024); Chair-Elect (2022–2023); Policy Officer (2024-Present); Vice Chair (2021–2022); Co-Chair, Mediation and Advocacy Skills Institute (2019, 2021, 2022); Educational Programming Officer (2019–2020); Co-Chair, Dispute Resolution Tech Expo (2020); Budget Officer (2020–2021); Women in Dispute Resolution Committee, San Diego Representative (2012–2021). California Lawyers Association (CLA): Co-Chair, Litigation Section ADR Committee (2017–2019); Executive Committee Member (2019–2021); International Law Section, Executive Committee member (2024-Present). State Bar of California – Civil Litigation Section: Co-Chair, ADR Committee (2016–2017); Member-at-Large (2015–2016). San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA): Chair, ADR Section (2020–2022); Member, Civil Litigation, Business & Corporate Law, Labor & Employment, Family Law, Real Estate, and International Law Sections (2012–Present). International Council for Online Dispute Resolution (ICODR) (2020–Present); California Dispute Resolution Council (CDRC); International Bar Association (IBA) (2018–2020); Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) North America Branch – Board of Directors Member (2019). Southern California Mediation Association (SCMA): Board Member (2016–2019); Member (2014–2021). San Diego Law Library Foundation: Past President (2021–2023); Vice President (2020–2021); Member-at-Large (2018–2020). Lawyers Club of San Diego (2015–Present); La Jolla Bar Association (2019–Present); Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals (2023–Present);California Employment Lawyers Association (CELA) (2018-2019); Consumer Attorneys of San Diego (2017-2020); Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL) (2018-2020); Mediators Beyond Borders International (2015–2018); Rotary International (2016–2018) and Rotary Action Group for Peace (2017–2018); ArbitralWomen (2018–Present).

Highly regarded author and international speaker on alternative dispute resolution, frequently invited to share expertise at conferences and professional events across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Below is a selection of presentations and publications on mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. Publications: · “To Arbitrate or Not? A Practical Guide to Using Arbitration Clauses, GPSolo eReport, ABA General Practice, Solo & SFD, July 2025; “Mediation as an Effective Alternative to Resolve Wills, Trusts and Estates Disputes” Executorium, Ap 2021; “A Journey to a Paramount Moment in International Dispute Resolution: The Singapore Convention” California Litigation, Nov 2019; “California Confidential: What happens in mediation may not stay in Mediation,” California Litigation, Ap 2019; "Mediator Effectively Adapts Approach to Different Cultures" LA Daily Journal and San Diego Daily Transcript, Nov 2018; “California’s Newest Approach to Mediation Confidentiality and Attorney’s Malpractice” ABA Dispute Resolution, Mar 2018; “New requirements for lawyers representing clients in mediation” San Diego Lawyer, Nov 2018 Speaking Engagements: Hot Trends and Recent Updates in International Arbitration and Mediation, Milan Bar Association, 2025; Techniques in Multi-Party Mediations, Academy of ADR Attorneys, 2025; International Commercial Mediation, First Mediation Week, Mexico, 2025; Mediation Mistakes to Avoid and Strategies for Success, ABA Annual Meeting, Canada, 2025; CA Ethics for Lawyers, CLA, 2025; The AI Revolution: What Lawyers and Neutrals Need to Know, Arkansas ADR Commission, 2025; AI and Mediation, International Academy of Mediators - Australia, 2025; What International Practitioners Need to Know about the Singapore Convention? ABA ILS, NYC, 2025; Mediation in the U.S, Sao Paulo Univ, Curitiba, Aracaju, Brazil, 2025; Ethical Use of AI, Mediate.com conference, 2025; Effective Strategies and Techniques for Successful Mediations, CLA Real Property, Monterrey, CA, 2025; Turning Negotiation into Science, ABA TIPS Insurance Coverage Litigation conference, 2025; Developments in Mass Arbitrations, 2025 Epiq’s Mass and Class Conference, 2025; New Law Update: SB-940 - ADR Certification and Changes to California Arbitration Law, Beverly Hills Bar Association, 2024; AI and Ethics: A Roadmap for Mediators and Arbitrators, ABA DRS Ethics, 2024; Negotiation Essentials and Getting to Yes, Maldives, 2024; Med-Arb in the U.S, IBA-VIAC CDRC Mediation & Negotiation Competition, Austria, 2024; Ethics in Mediation, U.S. Central District of California Advanced Mediation Training, 2024; Mastering Employment Mediation: Strategies for Success at Any Stage of your Case, ABA Litigation and DRS, 2024; Mediation: Understanding Its Process and Benefits, KBLA Talk 1580 Legal Lens podcast, 2024; Women in Arbitration: California Stories, Legislative changes, CA Arb Week, 2024; Arbitration Clauses: To be (Included) or Not to Be, ABA Solo, SF & GP, 2024; Judge for Final Round of ICC International Mediation Competition, Paris, 2024; Harmonizing ADR Strategies: Unleashing the Power of Mediation Within Arbitration, First Brazilian Mediation Day, Paris, 2024; Mastering Cross-Cultural Mediation: Essential Insights and Skills, Association of Atty Mediators, 2023; Practical Tips to Wow the Mediator and Your Client, ABA Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference, 2023; Mediation and Beyond: Best Practices in Mediation and the Future of ADR, USD, 2023; Make the Most out of your Mediation, SDCBA, 2023; Mediation and Arbitration: Insights from California, CLA & Barcelona Bar Association, Barcelona, 2023; Mediation and the Singapore Convention, Stanford Law School Advanced IP/Tech Mediation and Arbitration Course, 2023; Mass Arbitrations & the Gig Economy, ABA DRS 2023; Multicultural and multilingual mediation, 2023. World Mediation Summit, MediatingMadrid, 2016

San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs and and anywhere in Southern California.

Hourly Rate: $700.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $500.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Compensation rates, established by the AAA, are set forth in the applicable Consumer Mediation Procedures.

English; Spanish

Colombia; United States of America

San Diego, California