How the Arbitration Process Works

As an arbitrator, I apply a disciplined approach to case management, evidentiary evaluation, and issuance of clear, well-reasoned awards. I served as an arbitrator before going to the bench and, upon my return, am honored to be asked by the American Arbitration Association to serve on these arbitration panels: Employment, Commercial, and Consumer.

My two decades of service on the Colorado Court of Appeals also inform my perspective after having sat in three-judge panels, division conferences, and oral arguments, reviewing thousands of briefs and motions, and rendering decisions in nearly 4,500 cases, including 1700 authored opinions. My 40 years of civil law experience in employment, commercial, and consumer cases have positioned me to provide top-notch legal analysis, evidentiary review, and well-reasoned opinions.

Areas of Substantive Experience

Employment

I am a AAA panelist and have extensive experience with employment discrimination, sex and race harassment and retaliation based on gender, race, national origin, age, disability and disability accommodation, religion and religious accommodation; whistleblower claims, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, constructive discharge; express and implied employment contracts, at-will employment, independent contractor determinations, workers’ compensation issues, wage and hour claims, highly compensated individuals, breach of contract, FMLA and related state claims, fraud, noncompete agreements, theft of trade secrets, federal and state employee benefits and ERISA retaliation claims, traditional labor grievances and employment mass arbitrations.

Commercial

I am on the AAA commercial panel, where I handle large, complex, expedited cases and AAA appeals. I practiced as a commercial litigator for 18 years and as a judge for 21 years, developing experience in commercial and business disputes involving contract interpretation, real estate leases, landlord-tenant disputes, adverse possession claims, nuisance claims, joint ventures, civil theft, franchising disputes, partnership disputes, health care disputes, securities-related claims, stock options and valuations, tortious interference, malpractice, venture capital and merger and acquisition, insurance and coverage claims, indemnification obligations, financial services, business/formation/governance, shareholder disputes, fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment and trade secrets.

Consumer

I am on the AAA consumer panel and practiced as a civil litigator for 18 years and 21 more years as a judge, dealing with claims for property damages, physical injuries, negligence and intentional torts, defamation, invasion of privacy, executive compensation, product liability, wrongful death, breach of contract and warranty, exculpatory agreements, professional malpractice, and other non-physical torts. I handle individual claims, multi-party, and mass arbitrations. I have also been approved by the American Arbitration Association to serve as a Procedural Arbitrator on Mass Arbitrations.