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Bruce Friedman

Bruce A. Friedman, Esq.

Case Manager
Jennifer Rodriguez
T: 213-253-9780
F: 213-620-0100
555 W. 5th Street, 32nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013
JRodriguez@jamsadr.com

Bruce A. Friedman is available to conduct cases virtually. JAMS is equipped to provide virtual ADR services on a variety of online platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, and more.

Biography

Bruce A. Friedman, Esq. is an accomplished dispute resolution professional who has mediated and settled a wide range of cases including class action matters and serves as an arbitrator and discovery referee.

Mr. Friedman began his neutral career in 2011 following 37 years as a trial lawyer handling cases in the areas of insurance, class action, professional liability, business, real estate, and entertainment.  He was lead trial counsel in dozens of jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations. He routinely represented clients in high-stakes litigation.

In 2013, Mr. Friedman was named by the Daily Journal as one of the top neutrals in California.  He has been recognized by Chambers USA in insurance litigation and described as a “great strategist” with a broad commercial litigation practice.  In 2012, Bruce was named as the Best Insurance Lawyer in Los Angeles by Best Lawyers in America.

Clients note that Mr. Friedman’s background leads him to understand the complexities of business disputes and the leverage points on both sides of a case.  He keeps the parties engaged, knows when to talk and when to listen and when to let the client have a cathartic moment.  He is always prepared and thoroughly invested in a mediation even before it begins with pre-mediation calls and meetings.  He understands where we are coming from having been in the trenches on the same kinds of cases that he is mediating.  His demeanor is very conducive to effective mediation and he excels at being direct but diplomatic.

Representative Matters

Business/Commercial Disputes

  • Mediated and arbitrated contract, partnership, joint venture, post-closing, dissolution, bankruptcy, and other business and commercial disputes

Class Actions

  • Mediated consumer class actions involving false advertising claims, cyber security and hacking, RESPA, TCPA, Privacy, and other statutory claims
  • Mediated securities class action matters including a case before the U.S. Supreme Court

Employment

  • Mediated and arbitrated many disputes involving employment, discrimination, harrassment, wage and hour class actions and PAGA claims 
  • Employment practices liability insurance disputes regarding discrimination, harassment and other related employment claims
  • Class action claims asserting age discrimination 
  • Wrongful termination claims regarding pregnancy, disability, and harassment
  • Sexual harassment cases involving law firms, entertainment companies, and hospitality establishments

Entertainment

  • Mediated and arbitrated disputes involving the financing, production, distribution, bonding, and insurance of film and television productions, and profit and licensing disputes between studios and talent
  • Copyright claims involving licensing of music

Insurance

  • Mediated and arbitrated coverage disputes involving issues arising under CGL, D&O, Professional Liability, EPL, Cyber, Surety, Fidelity, Entertainment, Property, Life, Disability, and Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist policies
  • Represented the California Commissioner of Insurance in insurance insolvency proceedings and litigation disputes
  • Settled several insurance cases involving brokers, agents, and managing general agents in insurance business disputes arising out of underwriting and claims administration

Professional Liability/Malpractice

  • Mediated and arbitrated legal malpractice actions
  • Mediated and arbitrated professional liability claims against accountants, architects, realtors, insurance brokers/agents, stock brokers, investment advisors, and professional trustees

Real Estate

  • Mediated buyer/seller/broker disputes
  • Mediated real estate disputes, including specific performance, lease renewals, title insurance, mortgage, and other real estate matters involving development and finance
  • Arbitrated individual, limited partner, and tenant-in-common (TIC) disputes
  • Mediated eminent domain and inverse condemnation matters 
  • Mediated and arbitrated construction related disputes 

Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS.

Honors

  • Selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer in Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2014-2020
  • Selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer in Business Litigation, 2004-2012
  • Recognized as a “Rising Star,” California’s Top 50 Neutrals, Daily Journal, 2013
  • Leading Lawyer in Insurance: Insurer Firms, California, Chambers USA, 2004-2012
  • Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year, Los Angeles, Best Lawyers, 2012
  • Leading Lawyer in Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Insurance Law, Best Lawyers, 2005-2012

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • Adjunct Professor, Arbitration Advocacy, University of Southern California School of Law, 2017- Present
  • Rutter Insurance Litigation Contributing Editor, Third Party Coverages, D & O, Personal & Advertising Injury, Professional Liability
  • Mediator on the Mediation Panel, USDC, Central District of California, 2012-2017
  • Arbitrator, Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), 2013-2016
  • Member on Insurance Coverage, Professional Liability, Directors and Officers Liability, and Fidelity and Surety Law, American Bar Association Litigation Section and TIPS Section, 1985-present
  • Board of Directors, Public Counsel, 2003-2007
  • President and member of the Board of Trustees, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 1989-2006
  • Member of the Board of Directors of Paragon International Insurance Brokers, Lloyds of London, 1996-2002
  • President and member of the board, Hope-Net, an interfaith and homeless charity, 1989-2001
  • Top 10 plaintiff’s verdict in California, 1996
  • President and Board of Governors, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, 1987-1995

ADR Profiles

  • Partner and Co-Chair, Complex Litigation Department, Bingham McCutchen, 2007-2012
  • Partner, Managing Partner, General Counsel, Chair of Litigation Department, Alschuler Grossman, 1995-2007
  • The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law, 2011
  • J.D., with honors, The George Washington University Law School
  • B.A., with honors, Claremont McKenna College

Counsel Comments

    • “I really appreciated Bruce's efforts in continuing to work with me and opposing counsel and his perseverance in settling the case.”

      - Los Angeles Attorney
    • "Just a quick note to say, you are wonderful!  It was quite a day of long narratives -- I really appreciated how you respected and valued each party and managed to forge alliances and built trust gradually through an authentic desire to help.  Today was going to be difficult until you rolled out some creative solutions for very unconventional folks."

      - San Francisco Attorney
    • "Bruce was recently my mediator for a difficult multi-way dispute (plaintiff-defendant-insurance companies). What impressed me most about Bruce was how he kept at it for over three months after the mediation to get a deal done (even when it looked like it was a lost cause). Bruce has a sharp understanding of complex insurance issues, which is essential for a mediator in complex cases. Bruce is a total pro, and I would definitely use him again."

      - Los Angeles Attorney
    • “I recently settled two cases at mediations with Bruce. He is really good at his craft. He knows when to talk, when to listen, and how to work the room. Many mediators seem more interested in looking smart rather than being smart. Bruce is not only smart, he is personable and a pleasure to work with in the mediation. My clients really liked him, too!”

      - National Attorney
    • “Bruce helped a client recently by conducting a moot mediation of a high-visibility legal malpractice case involving a national firm. The client's attorneys split up, one asserting the client's position and another asserting the defendant law firm's positions. The moot session was preceded by the presentation of materials containing the client's case against the law firm, the law firm's defenses, and the client's rebuttal. A few demonstrative exhibits were used to relate the facts quickly. Bruce took time to point out parts of each side's case that could be made stronger and parts that could be deemphasized or omitted. Bottom line: the client came out of the exercise with a more focused case and better able to advance its positions. Bruce was superb.”

      - Prominent Trial Attorney
    • “I have mediated two cases with Bruce. Both involved three adverse parties. One involved a commercial real estate transaction and claim for commission and another involved a claim against a life insurance broker and company in connection with alleged representations made in connection with the sale of a life insurance policy. Both cases settled and my clients were happy with the results. Bruce was prepared and understood the issues and the practical aspects of the cases. In the second case, he continued the negotiation process after the formal mediation and got the case settled the week following the mediation. I really appreciated Bruce's efforts in continuing to work with me and opposing counsel and his perseverance in settling the case. I highly recommend him and would not hesitate to use him again.”

      - Los Angeles Attorney
    • “Defense counsel and I agreed on using Bruce as a mediator for a consumer class action based on his experience in the field. From the outset of the mediation, it was clear that Bruce understood the case and structure of a class action settlement. He was effective in his discussion of the issues in the case and made many helpful and constructive suggestions with respect to the negotiating process and the settlement terms. We settled the case! I would use him again without reservation and recommend him to the class action plaintiffs and defense bar.”

      - Los Angeles Attorney
    • “I am privileged to have been involved in Bruce's first mediation…. I did not know Bruce was doing mediations until the other side recommended him but I am glad we agreed to use him. From our initial pre-mediation call until final resolution he was engaged in the process. Bruce's willingness to continue to follow up with both sides to settle the matter and his efforts in speaking directly with the clients to explain the issues and possible outcomes should the case proceed to trial were invaluable. I look forward to my next mediation with Bruce.”

      -Los Angeles Attorney

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This page is for general information purposes.  JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness.  Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals. See More

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