Eleissa C. Lavelle, Esq. mediates and arbitrates complex commercial, real estate, construction and other disputes. With more than 30 years of experience as a respected litigator, appellate and transactional attorney, she brings a calm, knowledgeable, and common-sense approach to managing complicated and contentious cases. Recognized for her experience and objectivity, Ms. Lavelle is skilled at managing the financial and emotional conflict arising out of commercial and personal matters.
She has arbitrated and mediated cases involving the development and construction of public and private commercial facilities, the purchase and sale of a variety of business enterprises, and the personal and financial issues that arise in management of family businesses and probate and trust administration. She has resolved disputes involving alleged professional negligence by attorneys, physicians and other health care providers, and design professionals.
Ms. Lavelle is member of JAMS Global Engineering and Construction Group and an adjunct professor of law at William S. Boyd School of Law. She holds an L.L.M. Degree in Dispute Resolution (Straus Institute, Pepperdine University School of Law) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Representative Matters
- Real Property
- Settled a dispute concerning a master lease between a publicly traded company and its lenders involving properties throughout the country
- Mediated and arbitrated cases alleging abandonment of leasehold by anchor tenants in shopping centers
- Resolved a dispute involving tenant improvements in a warehouse/office complex, resulting in an extension of the lease from its original term
- Mediated and resolved multiple inter-related disputes involving complex mixed-use development plan and governing documents between a developer, master community association and sub-association
- Construction/Surety
- Arbitrated dispute between a public college system, contractor and surety involving alleged delay, disruption, and defective construction
- Arbitrated and mediated disputes between sureties, contractors and public owners regarding claims against payment and performance bonds
- Arbitrated disputes of breach of contract and fiduciary duty by design professionals in public and private contracts
- Mediated and arbitrated claims of defective construction of multi-family residential developments and single-family homes
- Business/Commercial
- Arbitrated and mediated multiple disputes alleging misrepresentation in valuation of assets and other aspects of the sale of closely held businesses
- Arbitrated and mediated disputes alleging breach of contract involving software and casino equipment
- Arbitrated and mediated disputes alleging fraud and mismanagement in publicly traded and closely held entities
- Resolved disputes among family members concerning dissolution of family businesses
- Mediated work-out agreements between competing lenders and borrowers in distressed commercial developments
- Insurance
- Neutral evaluation of claims between Hurricane Sandy victims and FEMA
- Mediated claims involving OCIP policies in commercial construction disputes
- Mediated coverage issues in connection with claims against contractor for negligent construction
- Mediated coverage disputes involved in attorney and physician malpractice disputes
- Mediated coverage issues involved in construction defect disputes
- Mediated coverage issues arising from claims alleging officer and director malfeasance
- Professional Liability
- Mediated and arbitrated disputes alleging attorney malpractice and excessive fees
- Mediated disputes alleging dental and medical malpractice
- Mediated disputes involving skilled nursing facilities
- Arbitrated disputes alleging negligence by landscape architects in public and private projects
- Probate and Trust Administration
- Mediated dispute between former spouse and child of deceased
- Resolved disputes alleging mismanagement of trust estate and breach of fiduciary duties by trustee
- Settled dispute between beneficiaries of parents who died in a common accident involving management of family business
- Served as trustee of an estate involving sale of business and real estate holdings
- Personal Injury
- Mediated personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from automobile and ATV accidents
- Mediated premises liability claims involving design, maintenance, and striping of parking lots
- Mediated personal injury claims arising from alleged negligence of retail establishment operators
- Mediated wrongful death case involving alleged negligent design of freeway bypass and signage
