Hon. Harry W. Low (Ret.)

T: 415-982-5267
F:415-982-5287
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Arbitration
Justice Low has arbitrated over 100 cases since joining JAMS in 1992. He has arbitrated dozens of cases involving insurance issues, personal injuries, breach of contracts, real estate disputes, construction defects, environmental claims, partnership dissolutions, employment matters, and legal and medical malpractice. Justice Low has also arbitrated international disputes including a business dispute under International Chamber of Commerce Rules.

Representative Matters

  • Allocation of remedial costs in environmental contamination claims, including leaking oil and gas tanks
  • Disputes over unlawful discrimination or wrongful termination by employers
  • Dissolution of business and professional partnerships
  • Medical malpractice claims involving permanent injuries or death
  • Numerous cases involving personal injury claims arising out of vehicular accidents
  • Real estate disputes, including fraud claims, landlord/tenant lease agreements, realtor fee disputes, and unlawful detainer
  • Arbitrated claims of business fraud and breach of contract
  • Arbitrated claims regarding insurance coverage, duties to defend, reinsurance agreements, health insurance disputes, and pollution exclusion disputes
  • Arbitrated international communication disputes
  • Arbitrated Proposition 65 food and medical products
  • Disputes over food and herbal products
  • Served as Referee in partition actions involving multiple owner’s and other claimants
  • Served as Umpire in appraisal of insurance losses

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

  • BAJI Committee Member, 2003-Present
  • Spirit of Excellence Award, American Bar Association, 2002
  • Judge Lowell Jensen Public Service Award, Boalt Hall School of Law, UC Berkeley, 2000
  • Distinguished Alumni Award for extraordinary contributions to the legal profession, Boalt Hall Alumni Association, UC Berkeley, 1993
  • President, San Francisco Human Rights Commission, 1999-2000
  • President, San Francisco Police Commission, 1992-1996
  • National President, Appellate Judge Conference of the American Bar, 1991
  • National President, Chinese-American Citizens Alliance, 1981-1991
  • President, California Judges Association, 1978-1979
  • Board member, Center for Judicial Education and Research
  • California Judicial Council
  • President, Center for Pacific Rim at the University of San Francisco
  • Founding Chairman of the Board, The Chinese American International School
  • Lectured extensively throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe

Background and Education

  • Insurance Commissioner, State of California Department of Insurance, 2000-January 2003
  • Presiding Justice, California Court of Appeal, 1983-1992
  • Judge, San Francisco County Superior Court, 1974-1983
  • Judge, San Francisco Municipal Court, 1967-1974
  • Commissioner, Worker's Compensation Appeals Board
  • Deputy Attorney General for California in the Civil and Tax Division
  • J.D., Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley