Experience | Memberships | Awards | Education & Employment
I offer my assistance to you or your company as a mediator, arbitrator, neutral evaluator, special master and Judge Pro Tem.
I have been practicing law in the San Francisco Bay Area for 31 years, with cases principally venued in Alameda County. In 1998 I had the honor of serving as president of the Alameda County Bar Association, the second oldest and seventh largest such association in California. It was a successful year and I learned so much.
The bulk of my prior practice was the defense of civil cases for insurance companies. In the past 27 years I have also practiced as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider, full time since 2002. My ADR practice has been expanding and I endeavor to provide a very competetive, quality, and result-oriented hearing.
My experience includes arbitrating cases for Contra Costa Superior and Alameda Superior Courts for the last 30 years. I have served as a volunteer Judge Pro Tem in the Superior and Municipal courts in Contra Costa County. I serve on another eight of the County courts' arbitration and mediation panels.
I have taken over 340 hours of courses and seminars on ADR with various organizations, including the American Arbitration Association, the California State Bar and the American Bar Association.
I also was a charter member of the Alameda County Bar Association Alternative Resolution Panel since 1995, and have served as a mediator, arbitrator, neutral evaluator and special master. Since 1983 I have heard--through court referrals from Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, as well as direct referrals, and through the ACBA program--an estimated 2250+ arbitrations and 2450+ mediations. I have also appeared in court hundreds of times for thousands of cases from 1979-2002.
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2003-present.
• President, Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA), 1998.
• ACBA, Board of Directors, 1994-2000.
• ACBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Placement Service, Charter Panel Member.
• Volunteer Legal Services Corporation, Board of Directors,1998-1999; President 1998.
• Alameda County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 1999-2000.
• Volunteers in Parole, Inc., Advisory Director, 1999-2003.
• ACBA Alternate Delegate, American Bar Association, 1999-2001.
• American Bar Association, House Delegate for California, 2002-2003.
• Countywide Courts and the Community Committee, Alameda County.
• Contra Costa County Bar Association.
• Alameda County Bar Association.
• California State Bar.
• Association for Conflict Resolution, 1998-present, formerly SPIDR.
• Past NYSE Binding Arbitration Panelist.
• Cal. Dept. of Insurance - Neutral Earthquake & Property Losses 2003-present.
• Resolute Systems, Inc in New York, Texas, Wisconsin.
• Cal. Dept. of Insurance, Property Damage Losses (MOU).
• City of Pacifica, Public Nusiance Officer (MOU).
• DEMARS CAP-RV California Program, Mediator and Arbitrator.
• Administrative Hearing Officer, City of Oakland, 2006-2007.
• Past Kaiser Medical Malpractice Arbitrator (OIA).
• Alameda County Superior Court ADR Administrative Committee, 2009-2011.
• ACBA Distinguished service Award, 1993.
• Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contributions in the delivery of ADR services in Alameda County, October 1996, December 1997, March 1999.
• AV Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, 1998-present.
• Year 2000 Outstanding Attorney Volunteer Award, Volunteers in Parole, Inc.
• ACBA Honor Roll in Recognition of ADR Services, December 1995.
• Certificate of Appreciation for Exemplary Services during the East Bay Hills Firestorm, presented by the City of Oakland, April 1992.
• ACBA Distinguished Service Award for Volunteer Activities, January 1993.
• Juris Doctorate, California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA, 1978. Law Review, 1976-77; Topics Editor, 1977-1978; six law review lead articles published; AmJur Awards in Criminal Law, 1976, and Labor Law, 1978.
• Masters in Business Administration, Saint Mary's College, Moraga, CA, 1980.
• Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, 1975, Cum Laude.
• Associate in Arts, Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA, 1973, Honors, President BSSC.
• Over 340 hours of alternative dispute resolution training with the California State Bar, ABA, AAA, Association For Conflict Resolution, U.C. Berkeley Extension and ACBA.
Employment
• Bouret ADR & Mediation Firm, 1630 North Main Street, Suite 120, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (2002-present).
• Girard and Vinson, Walnut Creek, CA (1999 - 2001).
• Haims, Johnson, MacGowan & McInerney, LLP, 490 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610 (1980-1999).
• Anderson, Nearon & Falco, Walnut Creek, CA (1978-1980).
• Casey, Geary, Westbrook & Reed, San Diego, CA 92101 (1976-1978).