Mediator Resume

Independent Neutral

Arbitrator, Mediator, Special Master, Referee

Independent Neutral, 2020-Present; Chief Magistrate Judge/United States Magistrate Judge, 2001-2020; Assistant U.S. Attorney [Criminal Division (1996-2001)/Civil Division (1992-1996)], U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, 1992-2001; Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, 1989-1992; Law Clerk, U.S. District Court - Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 1985-1989.

2020-now. Working full-time as an arbitrator, mediator, special master, and discovery referee. Handled hundreds of mediations and arbitrations in that period, involving payor/provider (including 340B), employment, contract disputes, and business dissolutions/breakups, to name a few. Though most of these arbitrations have been resolved before hearing, many have not and were resolved through hearing followed by written decisions in them as a sole arbitrator or one of a panel of arbitrators. 2001-2020. U.S. Magistrate Judge for 20 years. Presided over thousands of cases. Resolved thousands of motions, both substantive and procedural and hundreds more involving discovery. Served as a settlement judge in well over 700 cases while on the court. Presided over dozens of jury and bench trials during that time, involving business/contract disputes, civil rights, employment, intellectual property, environmental, forfeiture, class actions, film and television distribution agreement disputes, profit participation, entertainment transactions, and cannabis. 2016-2020-Chief Magistrate Judge. Prior to appointment to the bench, served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles in the Civil Division from 1992 – 1996 and the Criminal Division 1996 to 2001. Tried dozens of cases as an Assistant United States Attorney. Before that, worked as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice, trying cases throughout the United States. Began career in 1985, working as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (1985 to 1989). Taught Pretrial Advocacy at USC law school for 12 years (2008 – 2019).

2020-now. Working full-time as a neutral, settling cases every week. 2001-2020. Served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for more than 19 years on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (2001 – 2020), including four years as the Chief Magistrate Judge (2016 – 2020). Served as a settlement judge in well over 700 cases while on the court. Tried dozens of jury and bench trials during that time. Presided over pretrial proceedings in thousands more cases, involving business/contract disputes, civil rights, employment, intellectual property, environmental, forfeiture, class actions, film and television distribution agreement disputes, profit participation, and entertainment transactions. Prior to appointment to the bench, served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles in the Civil Division from 1992 – 1996 and the Criminal Division 1996 to 2001. Tried dozens of cases as an Assistant United States Attorney. Before that, worked as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice, trying cases throughout the United States. Began his career in 1985, working as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (1985 to 1989). Taught Pretrial Advocacy at USC law school for 12 years (2008 – 2019).

Over the course of the last 25 years, has served as a settlement judge in approximately 1000 cases involving all types of federal and state cases from employment to intellectual property to business disputes, qui tam actions, contracts, torts, civil rights, etc.

University of Illinois (Chicago) (JD/MBA-1985); Northern Illinois University (BA-1981).

Admitted to the Bar: Illinois (1985), California (1994), Guam (1986), Northern Mariana Islands (1987).

Diplomate Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals; California Bar Association

Published numerous articles over the years and regularly spoke on various topics having to do with civil procedure, including ESI (electronically stored information), and trying cases in federal courts. Taught Pretrial Advocacy at USC Law School for 12 years from 2008 – 2019. Spoke at dozens of bar events and webinars throughout more than 19 years on the bench. Since leaving the bench, have continued to speak as a panelist on webinars.

Southern California, which encompasses Santa Barbara to the Mexican Border and east to the Arizona border.

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: $22,000.00 Study Rate: $2,200.00/hr Cancellation: $22,000.00/Day Cancellation Period: 30 Days Comment: Travel: Varies depending on the location

English

United States of America

Santa Monica, California