With the Court system as crowded as it is due to the sharp rise in the number of lawsuits, while at the same time, the Courts losing Judges due to budget cuts, an increasing number of cases are being either referred to arbitration and/or mediation by Courts or required to be so resolved by contractual agreement.  You may be a party to a contract that requires resolution by arbitration.  For instance, the American Institute of Architects (“AIA”) the leading form of construction contract used in the U.S. includes contract terms that require resolution of a dispute between an owner and contractor by mediation and, if that fails, by arbitration.

Our attorneys have participated in several hundred cases that were resolved by either arbitration or mediation, either as an advocate for one of the parties, or as an arbitrator or mediator.  Our attorneys have represented both claimants and respondents in many types of disputes, from construction contract related claims to defective work performance claims to failed business transactions.

Our attorneys also have extensive experience in negotiating on behalf of parties in mediation, or an organized effort to bring about a settlement of a dispute.  Mr. Kawata has acted as the mediator in a number of cases, in which he was hired by the parties to the case to act as the mediator.