Mediator Resume

A background in both business and the law. Co-founded a specialized technical publishing company and operated it in the U.S. and U.K. for almost 20 years before becoming a lawyer. Over 20 years of litigation experience - mostly in appellate law - with emphasis on cases involving smaller and medium-sized privately held businesses and partnerships as well as real estate, torts, and consumer matters. Now in full-time ADR practice.

John Derrick ADR - Full-time Mediator & Arbitrator

Lawyer, Arbitrator, Mediator

Full-time Mediator/Arbitrator, John Derrick ADR, 2024-Present; Appellate Specialist/Mediator, The Law Office of John Derrick, apc, 2005-2023; Civil Litigator, Mullen & Henzell L.L.P., 2002-2005; Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor, What to Buy for Business/Better Buys for Business, 1980-1999.

ADR practice emphasizes business/commercial, real estate, and consumer cases. Typical business/commercial examples include commercial contract disputes, business partnership disputes/breakups, shareholder derivative actions, business torts (including trade secrets and unfair competition), lease disputes. Also experienced with employment, e-commerce, and bitcoin and other cryptocurrency cases. Extensive experience with smaller and mid-size businesses. Previously, as an appellate specialist, was the lead lawyer in over 200 appeals. Before that, about 20 years experience in the information publishing industry.

Began mediating cases in 2008 while still litigating appeals. Transitioned to full-time ADR in 2024. Settlement officer and/or mediation panelist for several courts, including Los Angeles Superior Court. U.S. District Court for Central District of California, and Second District California Court of Appeal. Completed Pepperdine/Straus Institute “Mediating the Litigated Case” program in 2018. Experienced in mediating both consumer and commercial cases of all levels of complexity.

Commercial and contract disputes in various industries, including transportation/shipping, manufacturing, insurance, finance, real estate, cryptocurrency/bitcoin. Employment cases, including wage/hour, wrongful termination, failure to accommodate, discrimination, FEHA. Consumer disputes, including California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (“Lemon Law”), California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), California Unruh Act, California Unfair Competition Law.

I avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. I try to get under the skin of every case, to understand the real interests of the parties. In some cases, the parties are looking for a somewhat evaluative approach, although that’s not always the best way to bring about a settlement. In many cases, what’s needed is a facilitator of communication. And some call for a creative approach, helping to identify interests that may have been overlooked. Most really require a subtle blend of techniques. Ultimately, my role as a mediator is to lead a conversation about making difficult decisions, often in the face of uncertainty, to identify solutions that are better than continued litigation. I am naturally diplomatic and have a calm, civil demeanor. I can see issues from different perspectives. I am engaged and empathetic, and can establish rapport with a wide range of people. I am both patient and persistent. I listen. But, when necessary, I can tell people things they may not want to hear. I value pre-mediation conferences with the lawyers. I encourage parties to share their mediation briefs with the other side. You can always send a supplement for my eyes only. I make mediator’s proposals in suitable cases, although never too early in the process. They are not my preferred way of settling cases, but I have had considerable success when I resort to them. If a case settles, I follow up to check that implementation is on track. And if it does not settle, I follow up to see whether a further session might break the deadline. I do not charge extra for this type of follow-up.

Highly experienced in hosting Zoom ADR sessions of all durations and complexities.

University of California at Berkeley, School of Law (JD, 2002); University of Oxford, UK (BA, Philosophy, Politics & Economics, First Class Honors, 1978).

Admitted to the Bar: California (2002); U.S. District Court: Central District of California (2002); U.S. Court of Appeals: Ninth Circuit (2004); U.S. Supreme Court (2007).

Beverly Hills Bar Association; Santa Barbara County Bar Association (current Co-Chair, ADR Section); California Lawyers Association (current member, ADR Standing Committee). Former Chair of the California State Bar’s Standing Committee on Appellate Courts (2014-2015). Served as Editor-in-Chief of California Litigation, then the journal of the Litigation Section of the State Bar (2011-2013).

No charge for travel expenses within California.

Hourly Rate: $600.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: No extra charge for pre-mediation preparation. No cancellation charge. No charge for travel time.

English

United Kingdom; United States of America

Santa Barbara, California