My role is to manage the process with discipline and fairness, ensuring that each side is heard, the issues are clarified, and the path to resolution is grounded in both law and sound judgment.
I serve as an arbitrator on the panel of the American Arbitration Association, handling civil and business disputes throughout California. My 25 years of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in litigation gives me balanced insight into how disputes arise, develop, and how they are likely to unfold if not resolved. That perspective allows me to guide parties realistically in mediation, and conduct arbitration proceedings with procedural integrity and thoughtful analysis.
A Steady, Strategic Approach to High-Conflict Matters
High-stakes disputes often carry emotional and financial pressure. Clients and counsel value my ability to remain calm, focused, and analytical when tensions run high. My experience with martial arts has shaped this steadiness: teaching discipline, controlled response, and clarity of thought under stress. In mediation and arbitration, that translates into calm and rational decision-making, respect for all participants, and firm but balanced management of the process.
I concentrate on clarifying the central issues, separating the wheat from the chaff, and helping parties evaluate risk with discipline rather than emotion.
As a mediator, I work to identify not only the strengths and weaknesses of each position, but also the business realities that influence decision-making. My goal is to help parties reach durable resolutions that allow them to move forward with certainty and confidence.
As an arbitrator, I approach each case with careful preparation and analysis of both the facts and law presented. My decisions are grounded in law, facts, and reasoned analysis. Parties can expect a process that is organized, respectful, and focused on delivering a clear and enforceable result.
Construction Law: Ongoing Counsel and Industry Insight
In addition to my work as a neutral, I maintain an active practice focused on construction law. As an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated attorney, my expertise encompasses contract drafting and negotiation, including the detailed requirements for Home Improvement contracts under California law. I serve as general counsel for numerous contractors, assisting them with their contracts, mechanic’s liens, and resolving disputes related to payment, materials, and work performed.
My years of experience in construction law provide practical industry fluency that informs both my advisory work and my role as a neutral. I understand the operational pressures contractors and developers face, the importance of precise contractual language, and how small oversights can escalate into significant disputes. That meticulous attention to detail, whether reviewing a contract clause or evaluating evidentiary submissions, remains central to my practice.
Litigation Experience That Strengthens ADR
Having represented clients in California courts for more than 25 years, I understand how litigation unfolds and the burdens it can impose. That insight strengthens my work in mediation and arbitration. It allows me to help parties assess exposure realistically and structure proceedings efficiently. My objective is not simply to conclude disputes, but to resolve them in a way that reflects legal soundness, fairness, and practical business judgment.
Focused on Outcomes and Protection of Interests
Disputes often carry consequences beyond the immediate legal question. My approach centers on protecting my clients’ interests, minimizing unnecessary costs and delays, and delivering clarity so they can move forward. Whether through negotiated agreement or binding award, the focus remains the same: disciplined process, balanced analysis, and resolution grounded in law and reason.
Throughout each engagement, I maintain professionalism, transparency, and respect for all participants. Parties deserve a neutral who listens carefully, manages proceedings decisively, and approaches each matter without bias or agenda. My actions are never focused on currying favor, but in carrying out my duties with the knowledge that the actions I take need to be balanced and rational, considering the facts, circumstances, and applicable law.
Serving Clients Throughout California
Based in California, I conduct mediations and arbitrations across the state and provide counsel to clients navigating complex contractual environments. I am committed to providing a forum that prioritizes preparation, fairness, and thoughtful decision-making.
I am an avid photographer with a particular love for capturing the beauty of Japan. My travels to this fascinating continue to inspire me, and bring a unique perspective to my professional life. Check out a small selection of my photos here.
With over 25 years of legal experience, a disciplined approach to detail, and a commitment to principled dispute resolution, I strive to help clients resolve conflicts with clarity, balance, and confidence, bringing steadiness in moments when it matters most.
