Resolve Business Disputes -
Fast, Privately, and Cost-Effectively

When conflicts arise between partners, investors, or stakeholders, mediation offers a faster, more cost-effective, and private alternative to litigation. Most cases resolve in a single day—and you stay in full control throughout the process.

 

With 30 years of leadership in real estate, finance, and business—and legal training from Cornell and Harvard—I bring clear, practical insight to disputes that demand speed and experience.

Types of disputes i mediate

I have successfully mediated high-stakes, emotionally and financially complex business and real estate disputes. Representative case types include:

Securities & Investment Mediation

Regulation D (504) disputes, investor-member disagreements, capital structuring

Real Estate & Construction Mediation

Developer, contractor, entitlement, and lease disputes

Bankruptcy & Restructuring Mediation

Creditor-debtor negotiations, distressed asset workouts

Commercial & Business Mediation

Partnership disputes, M&A conflicts, operating agreement issues

Employment & Compensation Mediation

Executive disputes, severance issues, independent contractor classification

About / Why Choose Me

Real-World Experience

30+ years as a CFO, investor, and turnaround advisor in real estate, finance, construction, and private equity. Led capital restructurings, partner exits, and dissolutions.

Legal & Mediation Credentials

Cornell Law (Business Law Certificate), Harvard Law (Legal Systems coursework), court-connected mediator (San Mateo Superior Court via PCRC), CFA, and CIRA.

Selective & Responsive

I reserve capacity for a limited number of high-stakes matters that require discretion, speed, or deep financial insight.

Credentials & Training

Cornell Law School:

Cornell Law School – Business Law Program

Harvard Law School

Harvard Law School – Legal Systems & Mediation Coursework

PDSL

Phoenix Dispute Solutions – IMI-Certified Mediator Training

CFA Institute

CFA Charterholder

AIRA

CIRA – Certified Insolvency & Restructuring Advisor

CONTRACTOR

SAN FRANCISCO

IMI

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Case Studies

Corporate Finance/Banking

Commercial Loan Workout – $10M–$15M Financial Dispute

Summary: A major corporate borrower defaulted on a high-stakes commercial loan, putting both the lender and borrower in a precarious financial position. The lender sought immediate foreclosure, while the borrower aimed to preserve its working capital.

Resolution: Mediation led to a novation agreement, allowing a new entity with fresh capital to assume the loan. This solution protected the lender’s investment while allowing the borrower to avoid bankruptcy.

Technology/Commercial Leasing

High-Tech Company Lease Dispute – $4.8M in Unpaid Rent

Summary: A rapidly growing technology company defaulted on its lease, triggering a legal dispute over an accelerated $4.8M lease claim. The company’s financial instability and the landlord’s refusal to negotiate created a high-stakes standoff.

Resolution: Mediation enabled a structured settlement in which the landlord accessed Letter of Credit proceeds and granted the company additional time to transition out of the space, preventing costly litigation for both sides.

Corporate Employment/Executive Compensation

Employment & Compensation Dispute – $750K–$2.5M in Claims

Summary: A senior executive disputed the terms of their compensation package and classification as an independent contractor. The disagreement over fiduciary duties and severance created legal and reputational risks for the employer.

Resolution: Through mediation, structured negotiations clarified the executive’s obligations, leading to a pre-litigation settlement that avoided a prolonged legal battle and protected both parties’ interests.

Finance/Corporate Tax

Unpaid Payroll Tax Credit – $250K Financial Dispute

Summary: A growing software company claimed a $250,000 tax credit for R&D expenses, but its payroll provider disputed the claim due to financial concerns. With limited cash reserves, the company faced a potential loss of critical funding.

Resolution: Mediation led to an agreement where the company paid a small processing fee, and the payroll provider submitted the credit application. The dispute was resolved without the company losing access to its R&D tax incentive.

Latest Articles

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Advantages of Mediation

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel outlines several benefits of mediation, including informality, confidentiality, cost-effectiveness, greater party control, preservation of relationships, mutually satisfactory results, comprehensive and customized agreements, and a foundation for future problem-solving.

11 March 2025

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Mediating Commercial Disputes: Understanding the Process to Maximize the Benefits

This article from the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution discusses how mediation offers confidentiality and privacy, explores mutual needs and interests, provides a “reality check” for decision-makers, and helps clarify issues, leading to more informed and satisfactory outcomes.

11 March 2025

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The Reasons Why Mediation is Preferred for Business Disputes

Published by Super Lawyers, this article highlights that mediation is relatively quick, cost-effective, educational, individualized, and fosters better conflict resolution approaches, making it a preferred method for resolving business disputes.

07 March 2025

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5 Benefits Of Mediation For Business Law Disputes

This article from Rosenbaum & Taylor emphasizes that mediation saves time and money, ensures confidentiality, is informal, allows for creative solutions, and facilitates productive business relationships.

07 March 2025

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Top 10 Benefits of Navigating Legal Disputes Through Mediation

Greenspoon Marder discusses benefits such as quick resolution, non-adversarial setting, expense management, stress reduction, creativity and exploration of options, information gathering, privacy and confidentiality, direct communication, and relationship restoration.

07 March 2025

What our Valuable client Says about us!

“James understands the complexities of high-value disputes—his real-world business experience made a difference in resolving our case.”

Partner, AmLaw 100 Law Firm

“The best mediation process I’ve experienced—fast, efficient, and fair.”

Principal, Real Estate Development Company

Let’s see if your matter is a fit.