Mediator Resume

Former US magistrate judge. A hands-on trial judge who presided over a range of contentious and complicated civil cases. Brings a fidelity to the law and a commitment to the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action. Received awards for judicial qualities and skills, including the Benjamin Aranda III Judge of the Year Award and the Judicial Excellence and Public Service Award. Former partner at Paul Hastings LLP. Spent 12 years litigating high-profile, high-dollar commercial cases and MDL/class actions in multiple state and federal jurisdictions. Ranked in Band 1 of Chambers USA 2025 and, in March 2025, recipient of the Excellence in ADR Award.

Gandhi ADR, Inc. - President, Arbitrator and Mediator

Arbitrator, Mediator, Judge, Attorney

Arbitrator and Mediator, Gandhi ADR, Inc., 2018 - Present; U.S. Magistrate Judge, Central District of California, 2010 - 2018; Partner/Associate, Paul Hastings, 1998 - 2010; Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1997 - 1998.

A full-time, professional arbitrator and mediator since 2018 after leaving the federal bench. Previously served for eight years as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California, the nation’s largest federal court. Upon appointment in 2010, was not only the first South Asian American federal judge in California history, but at the then-age of 38, was one of the youngest federal judges in the country at the time. Presided over a broad range of contentious and complicated civil cases. Previously served as a partner at the international law firm of Paul Hastings LLP. Joined the firm in 1998 after serving as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and graduated Order of the Coif from the USC Law School. Active in civic affairs. For instance, previously served as the settlement monitor for the Los Angeles County’s historic homelessness settlement. Previously served on the Los Angeles Police Commission’s Advisory Committee on Building Trust and Equity, which studied LAPD policies and procedures and delivered recommendations for reform.

Served as a mediator in approximately 2,000 cases as a federal bench officer and a professional mediator, and have resolved cases in the billions of dollars.

Has mediated virtually every type of civil lawsuit, and the great majority involved complicated issues with significant legal, financial and/or human impact.

Known for a thorough, insightful, and candid approach to every matter, and sought by sophisticated parties to resolve complex and critical cases.

Experienced in complex ESI issues. Familiar with multiple on-line platforms and previously conducted all online, or hybrid, arbitrations and mediations.

University of Southern California Law School (J.D., Order of the Coif - 1997); California State University (B.A, with Honors - 1994).

Admitted to the Bar: California (1997) and multiple U.S. District and U.S. Circuit Courts throughout the country.

American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association; Los Angeles County Bar Association; Association of Business Trial Lawyers; Los Angeles Intellectual Property Association.

“Counsel of the Year Awards,” Association of Entertainment and Media Counsel "Patent Venue: An Ever-Evolving Landscape,” Spring Seminar, Los Angeles Intellectual Property Law Association "Patent Damages and Case Resolution,” Bench & Bar Conference, Federal Circuit Bar Association “Settlement Structures,” Class Action Seminar, Consumer Attorneys of California "Diversity Deficit in the ADR World: What Are We Going to Do About It?", National Asian Pacific American Bar Association “Pandemic and Beyond: Mediation's Expanding Role in Access to Justice,” JAMS “Nuts & Bolts of Mediating Class Actions,” Mass Torts Made Perfect Seminar

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: $40,000.00 Study Rate: $2,200.00/hr Cancellation: $40,000.00/Day Cancellation Period: 45 Days Comment: Travel compensation includes actual expenses outside of the greater Los Angeles area.

English

United States of America

Newport Coast, California