ADR Services, Inc.

We’re pleased to welcome Hon. Tony Richardson (Ret.) to ADR Services, Inc. Judge Richardson brings more than four decades of legal experience to his work as a neutral, including nearly three decades handling complex commercial litigation in private practice, 17 of those years at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and more than thirteen years on the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He most recently presided over an Independent Calendar Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, and he also served for seven years in the Superior Court’s Appellate Division and by assignment as a Justice Pro Tem of the California Court of Appeal. Resolution has been a constant theme throughout his career. He found mandatory settlement conferences among his most rewarding assignments on the bench, and he approaches mediation with preparation, persistence, and pragmatism, staying engaged even when a matter doesn’t resolve in the first session. His appellate perspective allows him to assess not only the strengths and weaknesses of a party’s position, but also the procedural and legal issues that may arise as a case moves forward. Judge Richardson’s experience spans insurance coverage, employment, Labor Code and PAGA claims, real property, construction defects, intellectual property, professional malpractice, and partnership disputes, making him particularly well suited to sophisticated commercial matters and cases presenting difficult legal questions. Click here to schedule a matter with Judge Richardson: https://lnkd.in/gpjthNfR

Join Los Angeles County Bar Association as Hon. Elizabeth Feffer speaks for the association’s Title Insurance Subsection of the Real Property Section. Speakers will discuss common trends they are seeing in elder abuse cases, specifically how the issue intersects with real property transactions. It’s a timely topic for attorneys, title professionals, and real estate practitioners who want to better recognize red flags and protect vulnerable clients. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gjVwZq64

Arbitration law in California is shifting fast, and employers and employees alike need to pay attention. ⚖️ Judge Michelle Rosenblatt (Ret.) has a new ADR Update in the California Labor & Employment Law Review covering several major developments: 🔹 Orr v. U.S. District Court (9th Cir.): Courts must decide whether the FAA or state law applies before compelling arbitration. 🔹 Combs v. Netflix (9th Cir.): The Ninth Circuit clarified the EFAA’s timing provisions, holding that a claim accrues when there is a “complete and present cause of action” and that a dispute arises once the employer opposes the employee’s position. 🔹 Decloedt v. RadNet: The EFAA applies to harassment based on sexual orientation. 🔹 Flowers Foods v. Brock (U.S. Supreme Court): No bright-line rule limits who is “engaged in interstate commerce.” Workers who never cross state lines can still qualify for the FAA section 1 exemption. Follow-on cases (Betanco v. Living Spaces and Doss v. Tesla) applied it to last-mile drivers and yard hostlers. 🔹 Cocom v. ABM Aviation and Phan v. Knight Sacramento: Two very different outcomes on unconscionability, a reminder that drafting matters. 🔹 AB 2155: Effective January 1, 2027, CCP § 1281 will incorporate FAA exclusions into California law. Whether you’re drafting arbitration agreements or litigating motions to compel, these rulings are worth a close read.

ADR Services, Inc. had a wonderful time at the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association Judges' Night🎉! We’re especially proud to celebrate Hon. James Lambden (Ret.), who was honored with the Mediator of the Year Award. This recognition reflects his skill, integrity, and dedication to helping parties resolve even the most complex disputes. Thank you to SFTLA for a great evening and for supporting the legal community. Congratulations, Justice Lambden! 👏

We’re pleased to share that Hon. Winifred Smith will be speaking at the Women Lawyers of Alameda County’s 45th Annual Judges’ Reception this October! ✨ This signature event brings together members of the bench, bar, and broader legal community for an evening of recognition and connection. WLAC will honor its scholarship recipients and present awards for Law Firm of the Year, Jurist of the Year, and Attorney of the Year, celebrating those whose contributions have made a meaningful impact on the profession and our community. As WLAC marks 45 years of supporting and uplifting women in the law, we’re proud to join colleagues and friends in celebrating this milestone.

We’re excited to share that former California Chief Justice Hon. Tani Cantil-Sakauye will be speaking at the CAL-ABOTA Hawaii conference! 🌺 Her leadership of California’s judicial branch and her commitment to access to justice and the rule of law make her a must-hear voice for the legal community. We look forward to joining trial lawyers and colleagues from across the state for her remarks.

CLE Alert: Maximizing Settlement in Mediation We’re proud to share that ADR Services’ own Lee Mendelson will be presenting a CLE program for the San Fernando Valley Bar Association’s Business Law & Real Property Section Community. In “Maximizing Settlement in Mediation,” Lee will examine the legal frameworks and practical challenges of mediating a litigated case, with a focus on strategies to secure the best possible outcome for your client by reaching durable, cost-effective solutions. If you’re an attorney looking to sharpen your mediation advocacy skills and earn CLE credit, this is one to put on your calendar. Register here: https://lnkd.in/g6bmT6AJ

Hon. Winifred Smith to speak at the 35th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite. 🌲⚖️ ADR Services, Inc. is proud to share that Hon. Winifred Smith will be speaking at the upcoming 35th Annual Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite®, presented by the California Lawyers Association. Nationally recognized as the largest and most prestigious gathering in California of leaders in environmental, land use, and natural resources law, the conference brings together top environmental officials, lawyers, and other professionals for four days of legal education and collegiality in Yosemite.

ADR Services, Inc. neutrals are taking the stage at the CLA Annual Meeting! We're proud to share that three of our neutrals will be speaking this year: 🔹 Hon. Paul Bacigalupo (Ret.), Session 3B: AI Utilization in International Arbitration and Mediation 🔹 Pat Kelly, Esq., Session 9: From Task Force to the Day-to-Day Practice of Law: A Bench-Bar View of Five Years Since the California Civility Task Force Report 🔹 Ana Sambold, Esq., Session 10B: How to Settle a Case the Other Side Doesn't Want to Settle From emerging technology to civility in practice to creative settlement strategies, these sessions offer practical insights for today's litigators. If you're attending, be sure to add them to your schedule. Click here for more information: https://lnkd.in/gPuSNHDE

New FREE in-house CLE with Claudia Hagadus Long and Bette Epstein! As more older adults hope to age at home, families are relying on caregivers, whether hired directly, placed through an agency, or provided by a family member. What starts as a practical arrangement can quickly raise tough questions at the intersection of employment law, trusts and estates, trustee fiduciary duty, and estate administration. Join us for an in-house CLE featuring two mediators, Claudia Hagadus Long (employment) and Bette Epstein (trusts and estates), as they walk through an evolving case study. Topics include: ✅ Who may be considered the employer ✅ Wage-and-hour risks in in-home care ✅ The impact of using a caregiver agency ✅ Compensation arrangements for family caregivers ✅ Disputes that arise after an elder passes away Whether you practice employment or trusts and estates, this one-hour program will help you spot the issues on both sides, and know when it's time to bring in counsel from the other practice area. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gyPYsPiF