Special Counsel

Clients want their trial lawyer to be their advocate. But clients need their trial lawyer to be objective so that weaknesses can be seen and overcome. When you are enmeshed in the facts of your suit it can be hard to be as objective as you need to be.

I can bring a fresh, creative perspective to your major cases. Having tried dozens of multi-week, complex jury and court trials, and having studied mock juries for decades, I have a sense for what a jury will accept. Together we can enhance your strong points and find ways to address your vulnerabilities. This work can be done early-on as you are charting overall strategy, and/or in the lead-up to trial as you are planning your opening and witness order. Let’s discuss how I can make a difference in your trial.

Thanks again to decades of experience in federal and state courts, I know the procedural and evidentiary issues of litigated matters. I have tried a broad range of complex cases, including commercial, catastrophic, intellectual property, insurance coverage, class actions, tort claims, and many more.

The larger share of these cases has been for the defense, but I also have tried multiple plaintiff cases, including one with a $50,000,000 jury verdict. I have experience with single and multiple-arbitrator hearings, both as an advocate and as an arbitrator. Thus, I will understand your legal, factual, strategic, and practical issues. Contact me when you need an arbitrator who will provide a professional hearing and prompt decision.

Complex and/or emotionally charged cases with sophisticated parties and lawyers require a well-prepared mediator. As soon as you engage me, I confer with each side’s counsel to begin learning the issues and pathways/barriers to resolution. Next, I ask counsel to forward whatever materials they believe will provide me the foundation necessary to make the mediation effective. Then, I ask each side to list the five strongest and weakest parts of their cases.

My range of experience across multiple industries and claims enables me to get up to speed quickly on the nuances of your case. To add to my hands-on experience, I trained in mediation theory and practice at Pepperdine’s Strauss Institute. With these skills and experience, I go beyond “shuttle diplomacy” to find creative and even novel solutions. When you need a mediator with the depth of experience to understand your case and the skills to bring adverse parties together, call me.