Arbitration, Mediation & Settlement

Arbitration, mediation, and/or settlement discussions may help resolve a dispute more quickly and efficiently than litigation, but the results often prompt litigation and appeals.  When clients turn to these alternative dispute resolution techniques, GMSR helps them by recommending mediators or arbitrators, formulating strategy, and drafting briefs that persuasively lay out their position.  GMSR also routinely represents clients in appellate proceedings related to alternative dispute resolution.

Jul 14, 2022 Jeffrey E. Raskin
The Ins and Outs of Arbitration Law – Virtual CLE

Please join GMSR partner Jeff Raskin, our resident arbitration expert, for his upcoming presentation on arbitration law, sponsored by the Beverly Hills Bar Association. Using a policy-driven and pop-culture inspired approach, Jeff will explain how to effectively handle petitions to compel arbitration and petitions to

Law Finance Group, LLC v. Key (2021) 67 Cal.App.5th 307

Court of Appeal orders confirmation of arbitration award for GMSR’s client, finding the respondent missed a jurisdictional deadline to seek to vacate it

Court Of Appeal Orders Confirmation Of Arbitration Award For GMSR’s Client, Finding The Respondent Missed A Jurisdictional Deadline To Seek To Vacate It

Litigation funder Law Finance Group turned to GMSR after the trial court vacated an arbitration award enforcing LFG’s loan agreement with a borrower.  On appeal, GMSR argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to vacate the award because the borrower failed to seek vacatur within

Jolie v. Superior Court (2021) 66 Cal.App.5th 1025

Court of Appeal rules for GMSR client Angelina Jolie, holding that a private judge violated a continuing obligation to disclose new matters involving counsel representing Jolie’s ex-husband Brad Pitt

Court Of Appeal Rules For GMSR Client Angelina Jolie, Holding That A Private Judge Violated A Continuing Obligation To Disclose New Matters Involving Counsel Representing Jolie’s Ex-husband Brad Pitt

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s ongoing divorce proceeding has been handled by a party-compensated private judge sitting as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.  Such judges have an ongoing obligation to disclose new paid engagements with counsel representing either side.  After several rounds of such

Jan 12, 2021 Jeffrey E. Raskin
GMSR’s Jeff Raskin authors article on using public policy against arbitration

Countless published cases invoke California’s public policy in favor of arbitration to justify everything from expansive interpretation of arbitration agreements to the extremely narrow scope of judicial review of arbitration awards. Less well-known are two doctrines that allow parties to use public policy against arbitration,

Jan 12, 2021 Robin Meadow
GMSR’s Robin Meadow authors article on successful navigation of judicial references

Judicial references are an attractive alternative to waiting behind the superior court’s Covid-19 backlog to get to trial. But there are traps for the unwary: Many practitioners do not know about some important legal aspects of references, and they often fail to appreciate what they

eGumball v. Call & Jensen (Oct. 10, 2019, G056650) 2019 WL 5078606 [nonpublished opinion]

Court of Appeal affirms order denying in-house fees to attorneys

Oct 10, 2019 Related Cases
Court of Appeal affirms order denying in-house fees to attorneys

GMSR’s client sued his former attorneys for malpractice. The matter went to arbitration, and the arbitrator ruled in favor of the attorneys. They sought to recover attorney’s fees under their engagement letter with the client, but the arbitrator refused to allow them to recover fees

Rice v. Downs (July 23, 2019, B286296) 2019 WL 3297150 [nonpublished opinion]

Court re-affirms denial of arbitration of malpractice claims

Who We Serve

PUBLIC ENTITIES

Whether on appeal, assisting trial counsel, or advising government officials contemplating legislative action, GMSR provides unique insight into the complex laws that impact public entities.

Read More
INSURERS

Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.

Read More
BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.

Read More
TRIAL COUNSEL

The firm’s lawyers are team players, collaborating with trial counsel at any level from legal strategy to writing or editing trial court motions and appellate briefs.

Read More
INDIVIDUALS

GMSR vigorously advocates the rights of individual plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal appellate courts.

Read More
COMMUNITY PRO BONO

As part of GMSR’s long-standing commitment to social justice and equality, GMSR provides pro bono appellate services to individuals and to community organizations on issues of concern.

Read More