Mediator Resume

Experienced arbitrator, mediator, and attorney with over 20 years of experience handling complex commercial, consumer, technology, energy, and real estate disputes. Former senior executive and general counsel with experience at one of the nation’s largest electric utilities and elsewhere, and extensive experience managing high-stakes litigation, regulatory matters, and sophisticated commercial contracts. Has represented plaintiffs and defendants in trial courts, arbitrations, and mediations, and now serves as a neutral in matters involving business disputes, emerging technologies, data privacy, financial services, and regulated industries. Known for thorough preparation, efficient case management, and practical, well-reasoned decisions.

Coher ADR - Mediator and Arbitrator

Arbitrator, Mediator

Mediator and Arbitrator, Coher ADR, 2020 - Present; Executive (formerly In-House Counsel), Southern California Edison, 2007 - Present; General Counsel, Tri-City Archives and Stor-It-All Self Storage, Glendale, California, 2006 - 2007; Associate, Ervin, Cohen & Jessup, Beverly Hills, California, 2004 - 2006; Associate, Ford Marin Esposito Witmeyer & Glesser, New York, New York, 2002 - 2004.

Brings a combination of legal and business experience, having litigated complex cases and served in executive roles for public companies. Understands the needs of business clients and works closely with counsel to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively. Energy and Regulated Industries: Substantial experience with renewable and conventional energy matters, including battery storage, solar, wind, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, and biomass. Led teams responsible for negotiating and managing 1,000+ energy and commodities contracts, including power purchase agreements, fuel supply agreements, brokerage agreements, and standardized trading agreements (EEI, ISDA, NAESB). Experience includes regulatory compliance, infrastructure development, and contract disputes. Commercial and Real Estate: Broad commercial litigation background involving contract disputes, business torts, real estate transactions, land use, eminent domain, and complex commercial relationships. Experience spans private practice and in-house roles, providing insight into both litigation strategy and business realities. Technology, Data Privacy, and Cybersecurity: Extensive experience with disputes and advisory matters involving data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. Former executive responsible for enterprise cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Regular speaker and author on technology risk, AI, and legal ethics. Consumer and Statutory Matters: Experience arbitrating and mediating consumer disputes involving telecommunications, financial services, technology platforms, data privacy, and statutory consumer protection claims, including TCPA-related matters.

Has served as a mediator, bringing over 200 cases to a settlement, and as an arbitrator, resolving over 100 cases.

I view mediation as a structured, party-driven process designed to help participants reach informed, voluntary resolutions. My role is to facilitate productive dialogue, help the parties evaluate risk realistically, and create an environment in which candid discussion is possible without compromising neutrality or trust. I prepare thoroughly for each mediation by reviewing the mediation statements and key materials submitted in advance. Understanding not only the legal issues but also the business, personal, and practical drivers of the dispute enables me to tailor the process to the parties' needs and the nature of the case. I respect party autonomy and do not impose outcomes. I generally take a facilitative approach, but I am comfortable offering evaluative input when requested by the parties or when it appears likely to help resolve the impasse. When providing such input, I do so carefully, even-handedly, and with a focus on helping the parties assess risk and options rather than predicting outcomes. I expect parties and counsel to come prepared, with decision-makers available and a willingness to engage meaningfully in the process. I encourage professionalism, candor, and flexibility, and I work to ensure that all participants feel heard and respected. My goal in every mediation is to help the parties move from positions to interests and toward durable resolutions that reflect both legal realities and practical considerations.

Is fully versed and comfortable with all current dispute resolution technology including the use, as appropriate for the matter, of Zoom, Teams, and other videoconferencing platforms, share drives for exchanges of large documents or collections of numerous documents, and AI tools, both LLMs and as integrated into other professional software (ex., LLMs, legal research, eDiscovery summarization products). Always fully informs the parties and obtain consent before using any such tools to ensure both counsel and the parties are aware and comfortable.

Georgetown University (JD, with Honors); University of Southern California (BS, magna cum laude). Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law (Dispute Resolution Certificate).

Admitted to the Bar: California, New York, District of Columbia. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

U.S. District Court, Central District of California ADR Panel Southern California Mediation Association Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center Los Angeles County Bar Association State Bar of California

Nuts and Bolts of Commercial Arbitration - Beverly Hills Bar Association (December 2025) Beyond the Firewall: Safeguarding Arbitration in Cybersecurity Month and Beyond - American Arbitration Association Panel Education (October 2025) Caveat Litigator: Avoiding Landmines in California Real Estate Disputes - Beverly Hills Bar Association (August 2025) What Every Litigator Should Know About California Real Estate Law - Daily Journal (June 2025) When to Bring an Expert to Your Mediation and What to Do with Them - ExpertPages.com (May 2025) Confidentiality and Ethics in ADR - American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution (April 2025) SB 940 in the Wild - Daily Journal (April 2025) Navigating Confidentiality Challenges in the Age of AI - Law360 (January 2025) Working With In-House Counsel - Chapman Law School (October 2024) Hardball Tactics: How to Use Them and How to Fight Them - Southwestern Law School (April 2024) Why Not Use an AI Mediator? - Daily Journal (October 2023) Revolutionizing Dispute Resolution - Daily Journal (September 2023) Legal Ethics for In-House Counsel - Southwestern Law School (September 2023) Negotiation Pitfalls for Commercial Agreements - USC Gould School of Law (April 2023)

U.S. Northern, Central, or Southern Districts of California.

Hourly Rate: $750.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $750.00/hr Cancellation: $2,000.00/Day Cancellation Period: 14 Days Comment: Compensation rates, established by the AAA, are set forth in the applicable Consumer Mediation Procedures.

English

United States of America

Pasadena, California