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Lawrence Mills

Lawrence R. Mills, Esq.

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Case Manager
Patricia Usak
T: 415-774-2616
F: 415-982-5287
Two Embarcadero Center, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111
pusak@jamsadr.com

Lawrence R. Mills, Esq. brings to his ADR practice an accomplished and multi-faceted career of over 35 years as a lawyer specializing in litigation and business counseling, and over 25 years of experience as an arbitrator and mediator. Mr. Mills has extensive experience successfully resolving intellectual property matters, including copyright and trademark infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, and contract disputes relating to transfers and licensing of intellectual property. Cases have involved literary works and musical compositions, designs and business concepts, manufacturing processes, innovative technological developments, consulting services, and computer software and hardware.

Representative Matters 

  • Mediated case with claim for damages and for trademark infringement relating to metallic coatings technology 
  • Mediated case with claim for breach of medical billing software license 
  • Mediated case with claims for trademark and copyright infringement concerning a manufacturing process 
  • Mediated case with claims for damages and injunctive relief for misappropriation of trade secrets in the business of selling computer hardware 
  • Mediated case with conflicting claims to intellectual property and funds relating to a non-profit organization for global initiatives for the prevention and cure of diseases 
  • Arbitrated breach of non-compete agreement and failure to transfer intellectual property algorithms developed as a work for hire

Honors

  • Recognized as Best Lawyers’ 2018 Seattle Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year”
  • Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Category, Best Lawyers in America, 2015-2016
  • Selected as a Washington Super Lawyer in the field of ADR, 2003-2013

Memberships and Professional Activities

  • Board of Directors, Community Foundation Sonoma County, 2016-present
  • ADR Committee, Sonoma County Bar Association, 2015-present
  • Member, Mediation Society of San Francisco, 2014-present
  • Distinguished Fellow, International Academy of Mediators, 2009-present
  • Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators, 2004-present
  • Council Member, American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, 2002-2012
    • Chair, 2007-2008
  • FINRA Panel of Arbitrators, 2002-present
  • Hearing Officer, Washington State Bar Association, 2001-2012
  • Chair, Dispute Resolution Section of Washington State Bar Association, 2001-2002
  • ADR Committee, Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington (Rule 39.1 Mediator and Arbitrator), 1998-present
  • Member, King County Bar Association ADR Section, 1998-present
  • Chair of the Board, Healdsburg Forever (community endowment), 2017
  • Board of Directors, Bainbridge Community Foundation 2004-2007 and 2010-2013
    • President, 2006-2007
  • Board of Directors, Bainbridge One Call for All, 2001-2004
    • President, 2003
  • Board of Directors, Bainbridge Public Schools Foundation, 2002-2004

Selected Publications

  • “Effective Mediation Advocacy: How Legal Counsel Can Make Or Break A Settlement,” Daily Journal, 2015
  • “The Appropriate Relationship Between Arbitration, Mediation and Settlement,” ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Magazine, 2015
  • “Exceeded Powers: Exploring Recent Trends in Cases Challenging Arbitral Authority” (with Thomas J. Brewer), Alternatives, September 2013
  • “When Arbitrators Exceed Their Powers,” (with Thomas J. Brewer), Dispute Resolution Journal, April 2009
  • “Vacatur of Arbitration Awards: A Real-World Review of the Case Law,” (with Thomas J. Brewer), Dispute Resolution Magazine, 2006
  • “A Courtroom Lawyer’s Guide to Arbitration,” (with Thomas J. Brewer), Litigation, Spring 2005
  • “ADR Drafting Tips,” Dispute Resolution Magazine, 2002
  • The Arbitration Alternative: Submission Cases, WSBA Litigation News, 2000
  • “Combining Mediation and Arbitration,” (with Thomas J. Brewer), Dispute Resolution Journal, November 1999

  • Partner/Shareholder, Mills Meyers Swartling, 1981-2013
  • Former panel member, American Arbitration Association (Commercial, Construction, and Large Complex Cases, Arbitration Panels, and General and Construction Mediation Panels), 1985-2012
  • J.D., University of Michigan, 1974; Editor-in-Chief, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, Vol. 7
  • M.P.P., University of Michigan, 1973
  • B.S.E., with high honors, Princeton University, 1969

Counsel Comments

    • “Larry was direct with the parties and able to answer questions regarding each side’s strengths and weaknesses. Larry is very even handed and analytical.”
    • “Larry is excellent, fair, thorough, and well respected. He makes fair and well thought out rulings.”
    • “Larry is pragmatic. He was interested on focusing on what mattered and not smoke and mirrors. He is able to cut through to the issues and he is respectful and accommodating of parties and counsel.”
    • “Larry has experience as a good smart litigator and has good common sense. He is very approachable and not only can he really cut to the chase, he also is flexible and changes his mind on issues if need be.”
    • “Larry does not give up. He works very hard, even after a session is over to follow up. He is able to follow up in a tactful and effective way.”
    • “Larry was straight forward with the strengths and weaknesses of the case and pointed out options. He has a calming demeanor that isn’t adversarial and is comforting to clients.”
    • “We settled the case which I wasn’t sure would be possible given the parties involved. Larry did a good job of keeping my client focused and on track.”

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