Biography
As a full-time neutral since 2000, Hon. Read Ambler (Ret.) is a well known mediator and arbitrator with extensive experience resolving employment disputes, including cases involving discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour issues, sexual harassment, and retaliation. When the resolution of an employment case involves emotional and personal issues beyond monetary claims, Judge Ambler is adept at addressing those concerns in an appropriate and effective manner. Prior to joining JAMS, Judge Ambler served 20 years on the bench, including service as Presiding Judge, Civil Law and Motion Judge, and Civil Master Settlement Conference Judge, handling numerous employment disputes.
Judge Ambler has successfully mediated and arbitrated employment matters at JAMS involving the following issues:
Judge Ambler has successfully mediated and arbitrated employment matters at JAMS involving the following issues:
Representative Mediations and Arbitrations
- Claims by employee of a hazardous waste disposal company discharged after complaining about allegedly racially discriminatory compensation and other employment practices
- Case involving claims of cover-up by large metropolitan Fire Department to hide discriminatory practices against women firefighters by conspiring to lie under oath and destroy evidence during pending litigation
- Case involving a claim of retaliatory discharge of employee for whistle-blowing and sexual harassment claims against CEO
- Wrongful termination case involving allegations of misappropriation of corporate funds and breach of fiduciary duty by CEO of industrial painting company
- Wrongful termination and breach of fiduciary duty claims arising out of discharge of founder and CEO of software company with major institutional investors
- Several sexual harassment suits against major university
- Coercion claims by employee who signed separation agreement and release
- Dispute over stock options and severance benefits of fired executive
- Ethnic discrimination claims arising out of termination of car salesman
- FEHA claims by allegedly disabled employee who was terminated
- FEHA discrimination and retaliation claims by technical marketing manager
- Gender discrimination claims by three laid off female employees
- Sexual harassment claims by graduate student against university professor; the student created dozens of false emails implicating the defendant which resulted in crime-fraud exception rulings
- Wrongful termination claim by bank president against investment bank he helped found
- Wrongful termination claim by founder and CEO of software company
- Wrongful termination claim by VP of international credit card company
- Dispute between senior chip architect and fab-less developer and producer of GPS integrated circuits
- Wrongful termination and fraud claims arising out of discharge of 49% shareholder by 51% shareholder in large national trade show exhibit company
- Wrongful termination claim by bank president against investment bank he helped found
- Wrongful termination involving failure to accommodate and retaliation claims against large residential real estate developer by sales manager sexually assaulted at work by a third party
- Wrongful termination involving whistle-blowing claims by founder of internet start-up
Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS.
- Recognized as a "Top Neutral," Daily Journal Top California Neutrals List, 2013
- Sedona Conference: E-Discovery Dispute Resolution Program for Special Masters & Mediators, January 2010
- Recipient, official Resolution and Commendation, and the Certificate of Appreciation; both awarded by the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, 2009
- President's Advisory Council, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, 2001-present
- Professional Advisory Council, Learning Disabilities Association of California (LDA-CA), 2000-2002
- ADR Profile: "As Neutral, Ex-Judge Relishes Human Contact," Daily Journal (Verdicts & Settlements), July 25, 2008
- ADR Profile: "Long Tall Texan, Making a Difference," Daily Journal (Verdicts & Settlements), January 4th, 2002
- Child Abuse Council of Santa Clara County, 1998-2000
- California Legislature Resolution of Commendation, 2000
- Law Foundation of Silicon Valley Founders Award, 1999
- Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY) Honors Award, 1998
- California Judicial Council Court Technology Advisory Committee, 1997-1999
- California Volunteers in Parole, Inc. Founders Award, 1995
- Judge of the Year, Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers, 1991
- Governing Committee, California Center for Judicial Education and Research (CJER), 1984-1986
- Board of Trustees, Good Samaritan Hospital, 1976-1978
- President, Santa Clara County Bar Association (SCCBA), 1977
- President, Barristers Club of Santa Clara County, 1973
- Outstanding Law Student Award, Santa Clara County Bar Association, 1968
- President, Stanford Legal Aid Society, 1967-1968
- United States Navy (LT (USNR) (R)), 1961-1965
- President, Dartmouth Rowing Club, 1960-1961
- Co-Captain, Dartmouth Heavyweight Crew, 1960
- U.S. Olympic Trials (Rowing), 1960
- Judge, Santa Clara County Superior Court, 1980-2000
- Partner, Nichols & Ambler, 1975-1980
- Shareholder, MacLeod, Fuller, Muir & Godwin, 1973-1975
- Santa Clara County Public Defenders Office, 1970-1973
- Morgan, Beauzay & Hammer, 1969-1970
- LL.B., Stanford School of Law, 1968
- B.A., Dartmouth College, 1961
Counsel Comments
- "Judge Ambler maintained a perfect balance of being personable and friendly while also remaining detached and objective. His interest and curiosity for a difficult subject inspired me to work harder. All parties benefited from this approach. I would do it again tomorrow."
- Bay Area Attorney
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