Mediation Practice Areas
Experience matters. So does understanding the dispute.
For more than four decades, I have represented individuals, businesses, property owners, contractors, and insurers in civil litigation throughout California.
My mediation practice focuses principally on the areas in which I have substantial litigation experience.
Real Estate and Property Disputes
Real estate disputes frequently involve more than legal rights. They concern homes, investments, neighboring properties, business relationships, and expectations that may have developed over many years.
My litigation practice has included purchase and sale disputes, fraud and nondisclosure claims, commercial and residential lease disputes, quiet title actions, easements, boundary disagreements, and property ownership controversies.
Resolving these disputes often requires attention not only to the legal issues but also to the practical interests of the parties and the long-term consequences of the available solutions.
Construction and Property Damage
Construction disputes can be particularly challenging because they often involve complicated technical evidence, multiple responsible parties, insurance questions, and substantial repair costs.
I have represented parties in construction defect litigation, contractor disputes, building envelope and waterproofing failures, soils and structural problems, slope instability, and property damage claims.
These cases frequently require careful consideration of expert opinions, competing repair proposals, allocation of responsibility, and the costs and uncertainties of continued litigation.
Insurance Coverage and Liability
A substantial part of my early litigation practice involved representing insurance companies in casualty cases. Over the years, I have also handled insurance coverage disputes, broker liability claims, bad faith litigation, and complex indemnity issues.
That experience has given me an appreciation for the different considerations that influence policyholders, insurers, claims professionals, and defense counsel.
Understanding those perspectives can be important in identifying opportunities for resolution.
Land Use, Development, and Neighbor Disputes
My land use experience includes representing property owners and other interested parties in zoning, development, design review, variance, coastal, and historic preservation matters.
I have also participated extensively in Laguna Beach municipal affairs, including chairing the committee responsible for the City's View Restoration and Preservation Ordinance and helping lead reforms to its historic preservation program.
Land use and neighbor disputes often present challenges that differ from conventional civil litigation. The parties may continue living or doing business near one another long after the dispute has ended.
Mediation can provide an opportunity to develop agreements that address those continuing relationships and practical interests in ways that a court judgment may not.
Business, Partnership, Probate, and Elder Abuse Disputes
My litigation experience also includes business and commercial disputes, contractual disagreements, partnership controversies, probate litigation, and financial elder abuse claims.
These matters can involve substantial financial interests, complicated relationships, and deeply held disagreements about conduct, obligations, and expectations.
Meaningful resolution may require attention to ongoing business relationships, family considerations, confidentiality, and the financial consequences of prolonged litigation.