Experience

Previously: litigator specializing in commercial and employment disputes; former General Counsel of Robertson Stephens, a San Francisco-based investment bank focused on technology and emerging growth companies.

Appointment as an arbitrator in nearly 400 arbitrations in the past twenty-two years.  Notable matters have included:

  • Sole arbitrator in a dispute between technology company and former executive over misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, and California anti-hacking law.

  • Party-appointed arbitrator in an international investment dispute involving claims of fraud and misrepresentation.

  • Chair of panel in a dispute between two giant e-commerce companies over unfair business practices, breach of contract, fraud and tortious interference with contractual relations.

  • Appointed as special purpose arbitrator to resolve hundreds of individual claims and provide an advisory opinion to federal district court on related class action.

  • Chair of a panel in an international dispute between investor/client and law firm over multi-million dollar fees.

  • Sole arbitrator in a complex contract dispute between Fortune 500 companies. Issues included market dynamics, industry custom and practice, and ambiguous contract terms. Expert testimony central to determination.

  • Sole arbitrator in a multi-million dollar dispute between licensor of intellectual property and grower/manufacturer of cannabis products.

  • Sole arbitrator in a wrongful termination dispute by executive based on whistleblowing claims and defamation.

  • Member of panel in a dispute between venture capital investors and company founder that included claims for intentional and negligent misrepresentation and securities fraud.

  • Sole arbitrator in a multi-million dispute arising from failed M&A transaction between large public company and small private technology company in financial services industry. Claims included fraud, breach of contract, theft of trade secrets, rescission. Counterclaims included wrongful termination and fraud.

  • Sole arbitrator in a partnership dispute in broker-dealer industry. Multi-million dollar claims included breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and fraud. Valuation of partnership interests necessary.

  • Chair of panel in a license dispute brought by medical devices maker for failure to pay royalties and fraud.

  • Member of panel in a multi-million dollar dispute based on failed real estate syndicate. Claims for fraud, tortious interference with business, breach of contract, valuation and appraisal issues.

  • Discovery referee in a dispute including complex e-discovery and expert discovery issues.

  • Sole arbitrator in a multi-million dollar dispute in financial services industry based on CEO leaving to go to a competitor. Claims for breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation; breach of fiduciary duty. Counterclaims for ERISA violations.

  • Sole arbitrator in a license dispute brought by major, privately owned services company against software provider for breach of warranties and breach of contract.

  • Member of panel in a claim brought by limited partner against a general partner in a hedge fund for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty.

  • Chair of panel in claims brought by manufacturer in cannabis industry against licensee for fraud, misrepresentation, violation of exclusive license agreement, breach of contract, rescission.

  • Sole arbitrator in a cannabis business dispute between licensor of intellectual property and cultivator. Issues included royalties, provision of services, and application of regulations.

  • Sole arbitrator in a claim for wrongful termination brought by CEO in technology company; counterclaims for breach of fiduciary duty.

  • Sole arbitrator in a dispute over placement in unsuitable investments, breach of fiduciary duty brought by private investors against investment adviser.

  • Sole arbitrator in a dispute over constructive termination based on allegations of a hostile workplace.

  • Sole arbitrator in a dispute over wrongful termination based on disability discrimination and failure to accommodate.

  • Sole arbitrator in a claim brought by senior executive for wrongful termination based on sexual harassment.

  • Sole arbitrator in a claim brought by vendor against political campaign for breach of contract.

  • Sole arbitrator in a dispute between law firm and former partner for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and preliminary relief.

  • Sole arbitrator in dispute between former CEO and cannabis company. Allegations included breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent misrepresentation.

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