Mediator Resume

Seyfarth Shaw, LLP - Partner

Attorney, Counselor, Educator

Partner, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP, 2024-Present; Partner; Partner, Akerman LLP, 2021-2024; Partner, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, 2017-2021; Adjunct Faculty, University of Southern California, Gould Law School, 1998-2018; Partner, Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP, 1998-2017; Associate, Woollacott Jannol & Wollacott, 1997-1998; Attorney, Quisenberry & Barbanel, 1996-1997.

Skilled construction attorney with nearly 30 years of experience advising and representing construction contractors, developers, and owners on resolving complex construction disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, on projects in California, nationwide, and internationally. Extensive expertise in issues including course-of-construction disputes, claims of construction defects, and insurance issues. Involved in litigation and arbitration of over 100 matters. Substantial experience in disputes involving construction payment disputes and construction defect. Experience with mechanic’s liens, payment disputes, bid protests, and contract and delay claims on both public and private projects. Lead construction counsel on the Champlain Towers South Collapse case, the largest construction defect settlement in the United States among other high-profile, large-scale projects. Additional experience in providing risk management advice and counsel to developers and contractors, California’s Proposition 65, ADA, and OSHA issues.

Extensive experience mediating construction and real estate related disputes. A large portion of experience is in complex litigation involving multiple parties, including issues involving insurance, design, construction, and course of construction issues. Involved in hundreds of mediations of complex construction, environmental, and business disputes. Provided pro bono mediation services to the Los Angeles County Superior Court program for two years; taught negotiation and mediation for ten years at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Disputes involving construction defects, payment disputes, delay claims, and issues involving contract issues in construction disputes. Specific experience with California's Right to Repair Act and residential construction defect disputes. Additional matters involving partnership disputes, tort claims/personal injuries, and commercial litigation.

Mediation is one of the most effective tools to helping parties resolve disputes efficiently. A successful mediation is when the parties and counsel are prepared and they involve the mediator as early as possible. Mediators who can provide an outside perspective, challenge assumptions, and help the parties develop creative solutions to resolve disputes are often the most successful. I find that traditional joint sessions are often ineffective, but using joint sessions strategically can alter how the mediator can really help the parties to move toward resolution. I find that using various heuristics and understanding parties' interests and needs is critical. I approach each case differently and seek to understand the specific issues, personalities, and needs for each matter. I find pre-mediation discussions with counsel to be a critical piece of an effective mediation. Coupled with specific briefs and statements for pre-session review helps to ensure that the mediation session will be effective. I am ready to provide ideas and guidance in the process but respect party autonomy in mediation and only share my views of the respective parties' positions as a neutral when requested or when it appears that it will assist with resolution. My overall view is that most complex construction disputes require more a more hands-on approach from the mediator to ensure that the key issues are identified, the parties are prepared, and everyone comes to the negotiation sessions ready to make a deal.

Skilled in Cisco Webex, Google Teams, and Zoom, as well as various other platforms for conferencing and virtual participation in hearings, conferences, and speaking engagements. Has handled multiple matters using virtual platforms and develop strategies and skills to ensure confidentiality and credibility of the process. Practices safe and confidential filing of documents within secure filing system. Regularly inputs weekly hours in time management system. Successfully completed Clearbrief Academy September 2025.

University of Southern California Gould School of Law (J.D. - 1996); University of Southern California (M.A., International Relations - 1996); Baylor University (B.A. - 1993); American University, Justice Studies Program (1991).

Admitted to the Bar: California (1996), Arizona (2006).

American Bar Association - Forum on Construction, Co-Chair 2024 Annual Meeting, Steering Committee - Division 5 (General Contractors), Member - Division 4 (Construction Technology), Member - Division 1 (Litigation and Dispute Resolution); Associated General Contractors of California - Legal Advisory Committee, Vice Chair, 2022; Chair, 2023; University of Southern California Alumni Real Estate Network, Member, 2016-2020, Chair, 2019; Women Construction Owners & Executives - California Chapter, Board Member 2018-Present, Regional/Board Member at Large Director 2022-Present.

Prolific contributor to thought leadership, presenting nationally on a wide variety of topics, including resolving construction disputes and the psychology of disputes; mitigating risks and other key issues in construction contracts; fundamentals of construction law; material shortages within the industry due to COVID-19 supply chain issues; negotiation tactics of construction projects; cybersecurity and privacy risks for the construction industry; and advances with construction technology. Notable arbitration, mediation, and litigation speaking engagements include: • 2026 AGC Legal Advisory Committee Annual Retreat, "Blueprint for Resolution: ADR Strategies for Complex Construction Cases." • 2026 American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law Toolbox Talks, "Wehn the Schedule Lies." • 2026 American Arbitration Association's Mediation Month Program - Pepperdine Straus, "Almost Done Isn't Done." • 2026 Seyfarth's Latin America Insights Series Part 1, "Latin America in Focus." • 2026 Bisnow Southern California, "Construction Execution in a Challenging Market." • 2026 Los Angeles County Bar Association, "CA's SB440 and its New Mediation Mandate." • 2025 American Arbitration Association webinar, "Effective Advocacy in Construction Arbitration." • 2025 Featured Guest, "Women Talk Construction" Podcast. • 2025 Seyfarth Shaw Energy Webinar Law Series "Legal Risks and Emerging Issues." • 2025 West Coast Casualty Construction Defect & Insurance Conference, "The Future of Construction Defect Litigation: Riding the Waves of Innovation & Change." • 2024 AGC Legal Advisory Committee, "Improving ADR in Construction Disputes." • 2024 Construction Super Conference, "Looking Around Corners." • 2024 NBI Mediation Masterclass, "Mediation Mechanics." • 2024 West Coast Casualty Construction Defect & Insurance Conference, "We've Come a Long Way Baby! Evolution of Analytics & Technology in CD Claims & Litigation" • 2023 AGC Legal Advisory Committee Annual Retreat Speaker, "Lessons Learned from the Champlain Towers South Condominium Collapse." • 2023 Women Construction Owners & Executives – California Fall Retreat, Speaker/Moderator, "Doing Business with the General Contractors." • 2023 Women in Commercial & Residential Construction + Design, "Advanced Negotiation Workshop." • 2023 American Arbitration Association Construction Conference, “Ethics Issues with Virtual Hearings and Document Production.” • 2022 CLM Annual Conference, Speaker, “From Hammers to Holograms: New Trends in Construction Litigation.” • 2022 ABA Forum on Construction MidWinter Meeting Practicum, “Advanced Advocacy Skills in Mediation.” • 2021 West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar, “Arbitration by Zoom: How to Effectively Arbitrate Construction Cases.” • 2021 CLM Construction Conference, Panelist, “How to Arbitrate a Complex Construction Case Virtually.” • 2021 Women’s Business Enterprise Council Pacific 2021 Annual Construction Industry Summit, “Key Issues in Construction Contracts to Mitigate Your Risk." Recent Articles: • "Measure ULA Remains in Effect as Reform Efforts Shift," Daily Journal (California), Sept. 2026. • "A New Path for Construction Defects in California," Los Angeles Daily Journal (California), June 2026.

Los Angeles County

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: $10,000.00 Study Rate: $1,000.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: 14 Days Comment: Can book hourly or on flat fee for all-inclusive sessions. Mediation: Per day flat fee covers FULL day session (up to 8 hours of session time), $5,000/day flat fee for an all-inclusive HALF day session up to 4 hours. Per day/half-day fee covers one pre-mediation conference call with counsel per party and travel time (up to 1 hour of drive time for half-days and including all travel time for full days) and the mediation session. Airfare and hotels will be billed at cost as separate line items. All other time, including session time in excess of 8 hours is billed at $1,000/hour. Cancellation Policy: Counsel and party representatives are expected to be responsible in scheduling and to clear mediation dates on all participants' calendars prior to confirming a mediation date. Cancelling or rescheduling within 14 days of the reserved date will be charged 1/2 of the fee. Matters may be continued at no charge if requested 14 or more days before the scheduled mediation date. Available for both Zoom and in-person mediations.

English

United States of America

Los Angeles, California