Personal bio
I have served as an arbitrator since 1980 and a mediator since 1995. I have served as arbitrator or mediator in a variety of business-related disputes, including cross-border, multi-cultural and/or IP matters. I have resolved a number of franchise, licensing and distribution disputes, computer system disputes up to several million dollars, and Internet-related disputes. During recent years I handled about 40 online copyright infringement (illegal download) disputes per year. Recent service as a neutral has included disputes involving online sales agreements, securities and financing, software licensing, software development, patent license development, biotech development, copyright infringement, web services, consumer debt, hotel franchise, and shareholder/partner disputes. My approach to mediation is to spend almost as much time in advance of the mediation date as on the day of the mediation session. I work with counsel in advance to narrow the issues, explore obstacles and develop avenues for potential settlement. If a matter does not resolve by the end of the mediation session, I am persistent afterward by contacting counsel periodically to see whether there is a potential avenue for resolution.