Garden Grove Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

Ms. Charbonneau is a highly regarded Orange County family law practitioner and was a founding partner in one of Orange County’s premier law firms. Ms. Charbonneau is well known for her uncanny ability to get to the heart of a case and get it resolved. While compassionate and understanding, she is tenacious in her resolve to get divorcing couples to focus on common ground to reach a fair and responsible resolution. She is very skilled in dealing with the range of emotions that go with a divorce and is able to relate to the parties like few...

Tina has dissolved Gehres Law Group to focus on building a NFP organization, YesHope.org. She is no longer taking clients. Thank you for your patronage.

Jason K. Smith is one of the founding shareholders of MK Smith, APC. He has been admitted to practice in state and federal courts of both California and Utah. Mr. Smith focuses his practice in civil litigation and has successfully represented clients in matters involving business litigation, construction litigation, patent litigation, contract disputes, employment issues, false advertising, unfair business practices, personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, education law, and special education law.

Mr. Smith obtained his Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Utah, graduating Cum Laude in 2008. In 2011, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from the...

Daniel has had substantial court experience in trying a variety of cases in civil and family law. Before bringing his expertise to the South Bay, he was an associate at a Century City civil law firm and handled high profile family law clients in Beverly Hills. His experience also includes exclusive work with Forensic Child Custody Evaluators (730 Evaluations) enabling him the unique opportunity to provide clients with the knowledge for a successful child custody evaluation. He received his Juris Doctorate from Western State University in 2006, graduating with a Witkins recognition for factual investigation, an award given to individuals...

Results-driven attorney with broad based experience providing legal advice to multiple business units in the areas of commercial transactions, labor and employment, privacy, and technology. Timely and effectively drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, including software license agreements, master service agreements, partner/reseller agreements, subcontractor agreements, consulting and marketing agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and proprietary information agreements.

Successful at creating, implementing and training on internal and external facing template agreements and policies. Consistently delivering practical business solutions and comprehensive legal support in a complex and dynamic high-growth environment within the business. A collaborative leader that enjoys building relationships with key stakeholders to...

Business lawyer and litigator with diverse experience representing closely held companies, private equity firms, and other business enterprises. My experience as general counsel and on corporate boards gives me a big picture overview to business transactions, business decision processes, and complex litigation management. I also bring that same sensibility to bear on trial and appellate strategy. An acknowledged litigation expert and speaker, I am frequently consulted by other lawyers for trial strategy, business strategy, and ethics issues.

I handle matters in the following areas: business litigation and unfair competition cases, shareholder litigation and partnership disputes, employment...

Mr. Turner is an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated attorney with over 20 years of experience handling a wide range of civil litigation matters on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in the California courts. In addition, Mr. Turner has acted as personal counsel to numerous individuals and companies, helping them to create/revise/negotiate contracts, prepare appropriate policies, investigate claims, and avoid litigation. Further, Mr. Turner serves as an arbitrator and mediator to help bring matters to a expedient resolution. Having handled matters on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants provides Mr. Turner with the ability to analyze matters from...

Brett Evans delivers experience in securities, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, energy and tax law with his securities career beginning in 1995. At Evans Law, PC, Evans counsels corporations, asset management companies, securities issuers, broker-dealers, investment advisers, registered representatives and other financial industry participants in the areas of securities offerings, arbitration, litigation, broker-dealer and registered investment adviser regulation, compliance, due diligence, securities investigation and enforcement and a diverse range of transactional matters. During his career, Evans has been involved in structuring and drafting more than $1.7 billion in private placement and joint venture transactions in energy, real estate and...

Mr. Conrad is passionate about assisting clients with family law issues that matter most. Admitted to practice in the state of California in 1995, he has literally seen it all. Mr. Conrad’s expertise in family law includes divorce, child support, property division, and parental rights, which makes him a strong and accomplished player in the field of Orange County family law, and one who is fully committed to treating each party with the utmost respect and discretion.

Mr. Conrad understands time is money; therefore, he is committed to protecting both for each of his valued clients. While distinguished legal counsel always...

I have extensive experience with litigation and mediation in all areas of Family Law. I am dedicated to providing outstanding advocacy for clients in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties.

I assist clients with both the emotional and legal matters that arise in family situations. With a practical approach, I am committed to a close and interactive client relationship, focused on attaining the best outcomes.

Visit my website for more information. Contact me for a free consultation to discuss how I can assist you with your family law needs.

Trial and Appellate Lawyer with 27 years of experience in handling large loss/high exposure, complex civil claims in insurance defense, insurance subrogation, business, construction, commercial, intellectual property, labor and employment matters, and estate litigation. Before founding Armstrong Law Group in 2021, John Armstrong was a founding partner of Horwitz, Cron & Armstrong, LLP, and was an equity partner with Murtaugh Meyer Nelson & Treglia, LLP (2001-2010). Before that, John was associated with prestigious insurance defense law firms, namely Mower, Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson & Haluck, LLP (1998-2001) and Demler, Armstrong & Rowland, LLP (1996-1998). John was graduated in the top of his class...

Luke Carlson always had an interest in business, real estate, and the protection of wealth. During his collegiate career, he realized law was the best way to immerse himself in these verticals. Today, as owner of LS Carlson Law, he and his team of attorneys service clients with their business, real estate, and estate planning needs. By nature, he is a strategist and loves analyzing a situation to determine the best solution to a client’s issue. Carlson understands that the practice of law provides endless opportunities to engage in strategic thinking. Whether it be against an opponent in litigation, which...

Nearly 30 years of litigation experience in state and federal courts. Specialize in representing small and mid-size businesses in variety of commercial disputes.

I am a family law attorney and mediator. I specialize in assisting couples settle their divorce cases out of court through my consensual dispute resolution processes, mediation and collaborative divorce. I have over twenty years experience working with couples to resolve the issues in their divorce using my flat fee mediation programs. I also work as a collaborative attorney in cases where I collaborate with the couple and other professionals, including Child Specialists, Divorce Coaches, Marriage and Family Therapists and Financial Specialists. My clients save money using a problem solving approach that allows them to...

Mr. Helm, a Phillips ADR neutral, has mediated disputes up to ten figures in securities, class actions, shareholder disputes, corporate transactions, mass torts, professional liability, land use, sexual misconduct, ERISA, and intellectual property. He serves on the PG&E bankruptcy mediator panel and studied mediation at the Straus Institute. Previously, he was on the U.S. District Court, Central District of California ADR panel. A panelist on the American Arbitration Association roster and Institute for Transnational Arbitration advisory board, Mr. Helm has arbitrated business and consumer disputes and advocated in complex arbitrations involving asset management, trade secrets, and international investments. Before Phillips ADR, Mr....

Greetings and Welcome!
My practice has focused on EMPLOYMENT LAW cases in Federal and California Courts for 40+ years. I am a trial attorney, and have handled employment and housing cases involving race, age, gender, and physical disability harassment and discrimination and cases involving sexual harassment and discrimination.
I also handle WAGE AND HOUR matters involving the wrongful theft of wages, including class actions. I have represented both the employee and employer although I predominately represent the employee....

Leann Kaufman is a Certified Specialist in Family Law* with a focus on settlement oriented divorce and mediation. She is very effective at handling complex child custody issues. Ms. Kaufman can handle all matters related to divorce and enjoys working with parties that want to minimize stress, maintain control over the ability to make their own decisions and preserve wealth. Divorce is a transition, not an end, especially if there are children involved.

Ms. Kaufman has practiced exclusively in Family Law since being admitted to the bar in 2007. Ms. Kaufman has a passion for helping families in transition, so practicing...

Thomas A. Fasel is a California licensed Attorney, a Solicitor (Attorney) in England & Wales and is the founding partner of Fasel Law. Mr. Fasel assists businesses and individuals facilitate cross-border transactions, foreign transactions and domestic transactions relating to international trade and finance as well as helping clients enforce international contracts, collect damages and obtain justice in international litigation. Mr. Fasel graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame, Law School, obtaining his highly specialized Master of Law (LL.M.) degree in International and Comparative Law. Mr. Fasel earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Chapman University...

The Law Offices of Norma Ann Dawson, founded in 1994, is located in Long Beach, California. In the past decade and a half, it has become a respected law firm in Southern California, providing legal risk management and alternative dispute resolution services in areas such as real estate transactions and litigation, and business transactions and litigation. Ms. Dawson's law practice focuses on general corporate counseling, corporate and regulatory compliance, and ethics, with a view toward minimizing the risk of liability, especially regulatory and contractual liability. Norma Ann Dawson, rated Av by Martindale Hubbell, has both extensive trial...

Kevin K. Hull is an experienced securities lawyer who benefits clients with his multifaceted background from multiple positions in the securities industry, regulation and law since 1988. Prior to reentering private practice, Mr. Hull was the CEO of Grubb & Ellis Securities, Inc., a position he held for nearly six years. Responsible for all aspects of the firm, including compliance, accounting, national accounts and sales management, Mr. Hull was successful in managing the structure and operations of the firm to be in line with current regulatory expectations while achieving sales during his tenure of approximately $3.4 billion across multiple product...

Clients want lawyers who know what they're doing, who can explain what and why they're doing it and how it benefits the client, and who can do it all for a reasonable fee with a strong likelihood of a favorable outcome. This is especially true of intellectual property attorneys whose clients understand that their most valuable assets, their copyrights, trademarks, and patents, are largely intangible and oftentimes hard to quantify. I understand these challenges and that understanding underlies my approach to every client and to every legal situation. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I've been doing this for more than...

Jeanann Khalife, attorney-mediator is the Managing Partner at Alternative Divorce Solutions, Inc. (“ADS”). Ms. Khalife commenced her legal career in 2012 as a litigation attorney, with a primary focus in Business and Employment Law. She enjoyed the challenging nature of the litigation realm and excelled in case management and legal argumentative construction. As time passed, Jeanann noticed that she had an inclination to do more with her legal career. She desired to utilize her legal training to positively impact her community. The question was how? Divorce Mediation, was an unexpected path in Ms. Khalife's career. However, it proved to be the path...

More than twenty years of diverse experience as a trial attorney representing and counseling domestic and international clients in a vast array of matters. More than ten years of experience providing arbitration, mediation and other ADR services involving many domestic and international issues. Representation and ADR services have included: REAL ESTATE (purchase/sale, title, easements, financing, mortgage lending:underwriting - securitization, leases, fraud, environmental, receivership, foreclosure, appraisal/valuation); BUSINESS & CORPORATE (purchase and sale, formation: corporation - partnership - joint venture - LLC - LLP, capitalization, equity adjustment, fiduciary duties, D&O liability, executive compensation, internal investigations, fraud, business torts, unfair...

Chuck Stevens joined Phillips ADR after a 40-year career as a litigation partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, U.S. Attorney, and neutral in ADR matters. At Gibson Dunn’s San Francisco office, he served as managing partner for six years and was recognized by Lawdragon (2023 Leading Global Litigators), Benchmark Litigation (2024 Litigation Star), and Chambers (Band 1, California Litigation). He was named San Francisco’s Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation (2019) by Best Lawyers. Chuck founded a boutique litigation firm, handling complex civil cases and qui tam matters. As a neutral, he mediated for the Eastern District of California’s Voluntary...

Michelle Yoshida, a full-time mediator, arbitrator, and special master since 2007, joined Phillips ADR in 2014. Previously with Judge Daniel Weinstein’s team, she has mediated over 500 disputes with billions in settlements, excelling in complex cases involving securities, insurance, professional liability, ERISA, and trustee issues. Known for quickly grasping legal and factual complexities, she manages large ADR cases with objectivity and determination, finding practical solutions for disputes ranging from personal contracts to major corporate matters. Michelle builds trust and productive relationships with mediation participants. Before becoming a neutral, she was a trial attorney handling complex business litigation, including contracts, insurance, intellectual...

Edwin V. Woodsome, a Phillips ADR neutral, was managing partner of Dechert LLP’s Los Angeles office and head of Global Litigation at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. With over 35 years of trial experience, he has handled consumer fraud, False Claims Act, securities, product liability, trade secrets, employment, antitrust, and intellectual property cases in state and federal courts. He has extensive appellate, mediation, and arbitration experience, including the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California’s mediation panel. Woodsome represented major firms in transportation, banking, technology, aerospace, and entertainment, serving as U.S. national litigation counsel for a global logistics company and...

Andra Greene, a Phillips ADR neutral, has mediated OR COMEDIATED disputes from seven to 11 figures in NUMEROUS AREAS INCLUDING mass torts, class actions, EMPLOYMENT, securities, sexual misconduct, insurance, and intellectual property. She spent 35 years at Irell & Manella LLP, leading the Class Action Defense practice and serving as managing partner of the Newport Beach office and on the Executive Committee. A seasoned trial lawyer, Andra handled complex litigation in class actions, professional liability, employment, business torts, securities, and intellectual property in state and federal courts. She often represented lawyers and law firms. Recognized as a “Top Woman Lawyer in...

Seth Aronson joined Phillips ADR in 2023, mediating disputes up to ten figures in securities, consumer class actions, privacy, false claims, shareholder derivative, antitrust, RMBS fraud, and complex litigation. He serves on the ADR panel for the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. Retiring from O’Melveny & Myers LLP in 2022 after 40 years as a trial and appellate lawyer, Seth was managing partner of O’Melveny’s Los Angeles office and chaired its Securities Litigation practice. Ranked by Chambers USA for 20 years, he was named California Securities Litigation Attorney of the Year twice by Benchmark Litigation, a “Top 100 Lawyer”...

Elliot Brown, a Phillips ADR neutral, is the former managing partner of Irell & Manella LLP. He spent nearly 30 years in IP litigation, counseling, and licensing at a top IP practice. Elliot graduated cum laude from Harvard College (1985), earning Phi Beta Kappa and a John Harvard Scholar award. He studied philosophy of science at Princeton, receiving an MA (1987) and a Mellon Fellowship, where game theory and Daniel Kahneman’s work on bargaining and cognitive bias shaped his approach to dispute resolution. He earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School (1990), serving as a Harvard Law Review...

Clay joined Judge Phillips’ ADR practice in 2011. He graduated cum laude from Pepperdine University (B.A., History, 2006) and earned his J.D. from Fordham Law School (2011). He is admitted to the New York and California State Bars. Clay began mediating small claims in Bronx County Civil Court during law school. With over a decade at Phillips ADR, he now mediates complex disputes involving major companies in areas like antitrust, class actions, intellectual property, environmental, mass tort, insurance, securities, and contract disputes. He has worked on over 500 mediations, assisting Judge Phillips before, during, and after sessions, and directly engaging parties...

Margaret B. Seymour, a retired U.S. District Judge (District of South Carolina, 1998–2022), was the first African American woman federal judge and chief federal judge in South Carolina. She served as a U.S. Magistrate Judge (1996–1998) before her district court appointment. Over 26 years, Judge Seymour presided over complex securities, contract, class action, commercial, banking, bankruptcy, employment, discrimination, and environmental cases, as well as criminal matters like drug conspiracies, white-collar crime, and Ponzi schemes. She sat by designation on the Fourth Circuit and participated in two three-judge-panel redistricting cases. She served twice on the Judicial Conference Committee on the Administration of...

Gregory P. Lindstrom, a Phillips ADR neutral since 2014, brings extensive litigation and business experience from his roles as a Latham & Watkins litigation partner and General Counsel of The Irvine Company. A full-time mediator and arbitrator since 2012, he specializes in complex disputes, including antitrust, securities, intellectual property, and commercial matters. Born in California, Greg graduated summa cum laude from UCLA (Economics, 1975) and earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School (1978), working with Professor Richard Posner. At Latham & Watkins (1978–2008), he became a partner in 1986, managed the San Francisco office, and served on the...

Bill Ohlemeyer brings 40 years of experience to Phillips ADR, representing plaintiffs, defendants, and working at Altria Group. He has litigated, arbitrated, mediated, and tried cases in state and federal courts, advising on legal and regulatory challenges. A Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Bill graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri Law School and clerked for Chief Judge Scott O. Wright. He joined Shook, Hardy & Bacon, becoming partner in 1991, then served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Altria (1999–2008), managing litigation for Philip Morris...

Barry R. Ostrager, a retired New York State Supreme Court Justice (Commercial Division, 2015–2023), presided over numerous trials and resolved hundreds of commercial cases. Before his judicial role, he was a litigation partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, leading its 300+ attorney Litigation Department and serving on the management committee. As lead trial counsel, Ostrager handled high-profile securities, antitrust, and insurance cases, including Swiss Re’s World Trade Center dispute and Travelers’ environmental coverage case against Shell Oil, both resulting in jury verdicts. He tried five cases involving $1 billion+ disputes and led major arbitrations, such as Andersen Consulting’s $14 billion...

Layn R. Phillips, founder of Phillips ADR Enterprises (PADRE), is a former U.S. Attorney and U.S. District Judge. Appointed at age 35 by President Reagan, he presided over 140+ trials in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas, and sat by designation on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Earlier, Judge Phillips served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, and at age 31, was nominated as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. After leaving the bench, he spent 23 years at Irell & Manella, focusing on complex civil litigation, internal investigations, and alternative dispute resolution. He later founded PADRE, specializing...

Niki, a Phillips ADR neutral for six years, brings 25 years of experience in complex litigation, claims administration, mediation, arbitration, and special master roles. A protégé of Judge Layn Phillips, she has co-mediated hundreds of cases, applying his innovative practices in mediations she leads and in court-appointed special master roles nationwide. Before Phillips ADR, Niki was Vice President of Client Strategy & Development at a national class action claims administrator. For nearly 15 years, she litigated securities fraud and complex commercial cases at a national class action law firm, securing court-approved settlements in high-profile matters. She also represented defendants in insurance...

Caroline brings extensive mediation and problem-solving expertise to Phillips ADR, drawing from her roles as General Counsel at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Principal Deputy White House Counsel. Known for her communication, judgment, and legal acumen, she excels in advising Boards and senior leaders on dispute resolution. At PwC, Caroline managed all legal, regulatory, compliance, and governance matters, handling lawsuits and regulatory issues with potential damages in the billions. She led settlement negotiations and mediations with opposing counsel, clients, and regulators like the SEC and FDIC, while resolving internal conflicts within PwC’s global network. As Principal Deputy White House Counsel under President Obama, she...