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Hon. Dickran M. Tevrizian (Ret.)

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Hon. Dickran M. Tevrizian (Ret.) is an experienced and respected dispute resolution professional, drawing on more than four decades of legal and judicial experience to resolve complex business, employment, intellectual property, real estate, professional liability, personal injury, and mass tort disputes. Since joining JAMS, he has successfully mediated and arbitrated hundreds of matters involving sophisticated commercial transactions, corporate governance disputes, shareholder and partnership conflicts, wage and hour class actions, trade secret and patent claims, high-stakes real estate controversies, healthcare disputes, securities matters, and wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. Known for his thoughtful preparation, active case management, and pragmatic approach, Judge Tevrizian has earned a reputation for helping parties reach resolution in even the most challenging and seemingly intractable disputes.

Judge Tevrizian joined JAMS following a distinguished judicial career spanning more than 32 years on both the federal and state trial courts, including 22 years as a United States District Judge for the Central District of California. During his tenure on the federal bench, he presided over a broad range of complex civil and criminal matters, including multidistrict litigation, class actions, antitrust disputes, securities litigation, intellectual property cases, business and commercial controversies, employment matters, and high-profile public-interest cases. His extensive judicial experience, combined with years of service as a mediator, arbitrator, special master, and court-appointed neutral, provides him with unique insight into the legal, procedural, and practical considerations that drive successful dispute resolution.

Parties and counsel value Judge Tevrizian's ability to quickly identify the key issues in a case, assess litigation risks, and build credibility with all participants. His combination of judicial experience, business acumen, and settlement proficiency enables him to effectively resolve disputes across a wide range of industries and emerging markets. Whether serving as a mediator or arbitrator, Judge Tevrizian is committed to helping parties achieve efficient, informed, and durable resolutions.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

  • While on the bench, many judges sent their most complex cases to Judge Tevrizian to settle
  • Resolved approximately 10,000 cases while serving on the bench
  • Participated in negotiations in hundreds of cases involving a wide variety of issues, including:
    • Aviation
    • Business/Commercial
    • Construction
    • Employment
    • Entertainment
    • Environmental
    • Insurance
    • Intellectual Property
    • Personal Injury including premises liability and product liability
    • Product Liability
    • Professional Liability including legal and accounting malpractice
    • Real Estate
    • Securities

Representative Matters

  • As a federal district judge in the Central District of California, he presided over cases in all areas of federal jurisdiction and decided several notable cases
  • An active settlement judge, Judge Tevrizian mediated the settlement of a wide range of complex cases including copyright, patent, securities, employment, civil rights, aviation, real estate, and general commercial disputes
  • Presided over numerous Multi District Litigation (M.D.L.) matters
  • Successfully resolved complex contract, patent, copyright, trademark, employment, professional liability, securities, and insurance coverage disputes, as well as tort cases
  • Managed complex commercial disputes in a variety of fields including energy, entertainment, contract, real property, securities, intellectual property, insurance coverage, and patent litigation
  • Handled cases involving consumer and civil rights class actions, Clean Water Act violations, Federal False Claims Act matters, and a variety of employment discrimination disputes

Representative Matters

Business Commercial

  • Mediated numerous attorney fee disputes arising from commercial litigation, business transactions, partnership matters, and professional services engagements. These matters involved fee entitlement, reasonableness of fees, allocation of costs, contractual fee-shifting provisions, and quantum meruit claims. 
  • Mediated numerous business disputes involving allegations of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud, misrepresentation, and related commercial tort claims across a wide range of industries. 
  • Mediated a contract dispute arising from the termination of an agreement for parking and airport lounge services at an international airport. The matter involved competing breach of contract claims and damages issues. 
  • Mediated a business dispute involving allegations of breach of a confidentiality agreement and misuse of proprietary business information. 
  • Mediated a commercial dispute involving interpretation of a master services agreement, allocation of business responsibilities, and overhead expense reimbursement issues. 
  • Mediated a dispute between an automobile manufacturer and dealership involving warranty reimbursement claims, audit findings, and proposed chargebacks for allegedly improper warranty submissions. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving alleged breaches of a sales and distribution agreement and claims for lost profits and business damages. 
  • Mediated a franchise dispute involving multiple restaurant locations and claims for breach of franchise agreements, guaranty obligations, noncompetition provisions, and early termination damages. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving alleged idea theft, breach of confidence, and ownership rights relating to a business proposal submitted in connection with a government relief program. 
  • Mediated a complex financial services dispute involving a $38 million commercial loan secured by hospitality property assets. The matter involved lender liability claims, loan servicing issues, contractual covenants, and damages arising from pandemic-related business interruptions. 
  • Mediated a complex tax controversy involving research and development tax credits, qualified research expenditures, and federal tax compliance issues. 
  • Mediated numerous disputes involving boards of directors, corporate governance, voting rights, management authority, derivative claims, alleged abuse of control, and breach of fiduciary duty allegations. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving a vehicle manufacturer's dealership termination proceedings, vehicle allocation practices, and regulatory claims before the California New Motor Vehicle Board. 
  • Mediated numerous disputes involving fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, interference with contractual relations, interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition, and related business tort claims. 
  • Mediated disputes involving alleged fraudulent transfers, creditor recovery efforts, receiver actions, asset tracing, and business insolvency issues. 
  • Mediated disputes involving ownership of proprietary software, intellectual property rights, licensing arrangements, technology commercialization, and competing ownership claims among founders and business partners. 
  • Mediated numerous shareholder, partnership, and LLC disputes involving ownership interests, management authority, buyouts, dissolution claims, operating agreement disputes, financial reporting, and allegations of fiduciary misconduct. 
  • Mediated a dispute among family members involving management and control of a long-standing lumber and real estate enterprise, including shareholder rights, governance issues, and business operations. 
  • Mediated disputes among founders and investors involving allegations of fraud, dilution of ownership interests, management misconduct, governance issues, and competing claims regarding control of technology ventures. 
  • Mediated disputes involving investment vehicles, investor rights, securities-related claims, management of investment funds, and allegations of fiduciary breaches involving investments exceeding approximately $150 million. 
  • Mediated disputes arising from entertainment ventures involving partnership agreements, management agreements, production arrangements, profit participation rights, intellectual property issues, and related business tort claims. 
  • Mediated disputes involving allegations of legal malpractice, professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conflicts of interest, and attorney-client fee controversies. 
  • Mediated a consumer fraud dispute arising from the provision of private jet charter and luxury travel services and allegations of deceptive business practices. 
  • Mediated disputes involving insurance coverage, excess coverage obligations, bad faith claims, workers' compensation reimbursement issues, and contractual indemnity obligations. 
  • Mediated a dispute among physician partners involving partnership governance, compensation, management authority, fiduciary obligations, and operation of a multi-specialty medical practice. 
  • Mediated disputes involving licensing agreements, distribution rights, participation agreements, royalty obligations, and commercialization of products and services. 
  • Mediated disputes arising from bankruptcy proceedings involving claims against directors and officers for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and corporate governance failures. 
  • Mediated complex business disputes involving allegations of racketeering, fraud, conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty, and interference with business relationships. 
  • Mediated a complex antitrust dispute in the pharmaceutical industry involving allegations of anticompetitive conduct, patent-related settlement agreements, and market allocation issues. 
  • Arbitrated numerous commercial disputes involving breach of contract, fiduciary duty, trade secrets, unfair competition, fraud, partnership disputes, licensing agreements, and business valuation issues.

Cannabis

  • Mediated a cannabis industry dispute involving minority ownership interests in retail cannabis businesses and allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, conversion, accounting irregularities, and unfair business practices. 
  • Mediated a dispute between cannabis business operators and a municipality involving business license revocation proceedings, tax assessments, and regulatory compliance issues.

Employment Law

  • Mediated an employment benefits dispute involving reimbursement claims between a healthcare provider and an employee welfare benefit plan governed by ERISA. The matter involved employee benefit coverage, reimbursement obligations, and federal preemption issues. 
  • Mediated a representative action under California's Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) involving alleged Labor Code violations and claims for statutory penalties on behalf of affected employees.
  • Mediated numerous wage and hour class actions involving allegations of unpaid wages, meal and rest break violations, wage statement violations, waiting time penalties, and related California Labor Code claims on behalf of current and former non-exempt employees. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving both a representative PAGA action and a related individual employment arbitration concerning alleged Labor Code violations and wage-and-hour issues. 
  • Mediated numerous Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) disputes involving allegations of sexual harassment, hostile work environment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, whistleblower violations, failure to prevent unlawful workplace conduct, emotional distress, and employer liability. 
  • Arbitrated an employment dispute involving allegations of sexual harassment, hostile work environment, negligence, and related workplace misconduct, with claimed damages exceeding approximately $500,000. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving executive compensation, deferred compensation, employee benefits, and contractual employment rights. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving a former executive's claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory fraud, constructive discharge, retaliation, and related employment claims. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving senior financial services employees who alleged constructive discharge and sought recovery of deferred compensation and employment benefits following the closure of business operations. 
  • Mediated an employment dispute involving deputy sheriffs alleging retaliation, whistleblower violations, discrimination, and adverse employment actions arising from workplace complaints and protected activities. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving employee-versus-independent contractor classification, promised equity ownership interests, profit-sharing rights, and alleged Labor Code violations. 
  • Arbitrated an employment dispute involving allegations of discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, and wrongful employment practices arising from a contractual employment relationship. 
  • Mediated a large Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) collective action involving wage-and-hour claims asserted on behalf of employees across multiple jurisdictions. 
  • Mediated a business and employment matter involving trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, employee mobility issues, and related employment claims. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving allegations of breach of contract, trade secret misappropriation, employee solicitation, and competition issues following an executive's departure to a competing business. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving disability-access issues under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, California statutory law, and related claims seeking injunctive and monetary relief. 
  • Mediated a complex employment-related dispute involving allegations that a public employee was wrongfully investigated, falsely accused of workers' compensation fraud, wrongfully terminated, and subjected to discrimination and failure-to-accommodate violations. 
  • Served as a referee in a high-profile employment dispute involving claims of wrongful termination, emotional distress, breach of employment contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. 
  • Mediated a whistleblower dispute involving allegations under the Federal False Claims Act and claims arising from protected reporting activities 

Intellectual Property

  • Mediated a trademark dispute involving allegations of trademark infringement, counterfeiting, and dilution under the Lanham Act arising from the sale and marketing of competing consumer products. 
  • Mediated a patent dispute involving alleged infringement of proprietary technology rights. 
  • Mediated an intellectual property dispute involving trade dress infringement and right of publicity claims relating to the commercial use of branding and identity rights. 
  • Mediated a copyright and trademark dispute involving competing intellectual property rights and related business interests. 
  • Mediated a business and intellectual property dispute involving allegations of trade libel, interference with contractual and economic relationships, unfair competition, computer access violations, and trade secret misappropriation. 
  • Mediated a trade secrets dispute in the consumer products industry involving allegations that a former employee misappropriated confidential information and disclosed proprietary business information to a competitor. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving allegations that a former employee improperly retained and disclosed confidential information and trade secrets, resulting in claims for misappropriation, breach of contract, and related damages. 
  • Mediated a trademark dispute involving allegations of trademark infringement, dilution, and cancellation claims arising from the use of a geographic brand name on beer products. 
  • Mediated a trade dress infringement matter involving competing toy manufacturers and claims for declaratory relief and cancellation of a state trade dress registration. 
  • Mediated a trademark dispute in the athletic apparel industry involving alleged unauthorized use of a registered marketing slogan, trademark infringement claims, licensing issues, and requests for damages and injunctive relief. 
  • Mediated a trademark infringement matter involving luxury watch manufacturers and claims concerning the validity, genericness, fair use, and enforceability of a trademark used in connection with precious metal products. 
  • Mediated a pharmaceutical industry patent dispute involving alleged infringement of patented technology and related intellectual property rights. 
  • Mediated a complex patent dispute involving semiconductor memory technology, multiple consumer electronics manufacturers, and claims of patent infringement, invalidity, and licensing defenses. 
  • Mediated a trade dress dispute involving video game hardware products and allegations of false designation of origin, unfair competition, dilution, and related claims for damages and injunctive relief. 
  • Mediated a patent infringement dispute involving proprietary technology rights and alleged unauthorized use of patented inventions.
    • Mediated an international copyright dispute involving allegations of direct, contributory, and vicarious copyright infringement related to a popular online video game and cross-border intellectual property enforcement issues. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving allegations of design patent infringement concerning the appearance and design of commercial products. 
  • Mediated a putative class action involving alleged violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act based on claims that consumer telephone calls were recorded without consent.

Personal Injury

  • Mediated a personal injury dispute arising from a motor vehicle collision involving disputed liability. The claimant alleged serious eye, head, neck, and back injuries, emotional distress, lost earnings, and ongoing medical damages. 
  • Mediated an automobile accident case involving disputed liability and claims for bodily injury damages resulting from a rear-end collision.
  • Mediated a personal injury dispute involving allegations that a passenger sustained burn injuries from hot liquid served aboard a commercial flight. 
  • Mediated a wrongful death dispute involving allegations that a healthcare organization failed to arrange medically necessary transportation for a dialysis patient, resulting in fatal consequences. The matter involved causation, healthcare negligence, and damages issues. 
  • Mediated a personal injury dispute arising from allegations of inappropriate conduct between students and claims that school personnel failed to adequately respond to reports of misconduct. The matter involved negligent supervision and institutional liability issues. 
  • Mediated a complex aviation accident case arising from a fatal aircraft crash shortly after takeoff. The matter involved wrongful death, negligence, product liability, breach of warranty, maintenance issues, and subrogation claims against aircraft, engine, and maintenance entities. 
  • Mediated a personal injury dispute involving allegations of sexual abuse of a minor and resulting emotional and psychological injury claims.
    • Mediated a premises liability dispute arising from a slip-and-fall incident at a commercial shopping center. The claimant alleged injuries to the neck, back, hip, and ankle and sought compensation for resulting damages. 
  • Mediated a personal injury dispute arising from an alleged physical altercation between a patron and venue security personnel. The matter involved claims of excessive force, assault, battery, and resulting bodily injuries. 
  • Mediated a premises liability case involving allegations that unsafe property conditions resulted in bodily injuries to a visitor or occupant. 
  • Mediated a personal injury dispute involving injuries sustained by a child at an amusement park. The matter involved issues of premises liability, supervision, and damages. 
  • Mediated a highly sensitive personal injury matter involving allegations of child molestation at a special education school. The dispute involved claims against individuals and institutional defendants arising from alleged abuse and failures in supervision and protection.

Product Liability

  • Mediated multiple consumer class actions involving allegations of defective products, false advertising, automatic renewal violations, product labeling claims, and consumer protection statutes. 
  • Mediated a large-scale product liability matter involving numerous claims alleging defective blender products caused burns and lacerations. The claims included negligence, design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, and punitive damages allegations. 
  • Mediated a product liability and wrongful death dispute arising from a residential fire allegedly caused by a consumer product. The matter involved competing theories regarding causation, product defect, and responsibility for fatal injuries and property damage.
  • Mediated a putative class action involving allegations concerning the safety and performance of children's car seats and related consumer injury claims.

Real Property

  • Mediated a real estate development dispute involving a construction enterprise focused on steel modular housing. The matter arose in connection with the development and operation of a large-scale residential real estate project. 
  • Mediated a real estate transaction dispute involving allegations of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty arising from a broker's representation of a property seller. The matter concerned post-transaction liability and professional duties in a sales transaction. 
  • Mediated a residential real estate purchase dispute involving allegations that required property disclosures were incomplete or inadequate.  The matter centered on disclosure obligations and buyer-seller rights in a real estate transaction.
  • Mediated a dispute among homeowners association members involving alleged violations of governing documents and claims that the association failed to properly enforce its rules and restrictions. 
  • Mediated a dispute between a homeowner and a homeowners association involving allegations that the association failed to comply with governing documents when reviewing architectural improvement applications. 
  • Mediated an easement dispute between a property developer and neighboring commercial property owner concerning reciprocal parking rights that allegedly interfered with a proposed redevelopment project. The matter involved competing property rights and injunctive relief claims. 
  • Mediated a residential property dispute involving enforcement of a municipal planning commission resolution concerning trees and foliage allegedly obstructing protected views from neighboring property. 
  • Mediated a residential landlord-tenant dispute involving allegations of habitability defects, failure to repair, housing code violations, and promises regarding a future purchase option. The matter also involved claims for unpaid rent, property damage, and breach of lease obligations. 
  • Mediated a commercial real estate dispute involving alleged breaches of a lease agreement and personal guaranty. The matter included claims exceeding approximately $2.2 million, disputed sublease rights, and lease termination issues. 
  • Mediated a complex dispute arising from a receivership involving an apartment complex, alleged code violations, property management issues, contractor claims, and related damages claims among multiple parties. 
  • Mediated a real estate sales and purchase dispute involving issues arising from the acquisition or disposition of real property. 
  • Mediated a commercial landlord-tenant dispute involving allegations that a tenant abandoned leased premises, failed to pay rent, and made unauthorized alterations to the property. The matter involved significant claims for lease damages and breach of contract. 
  • Mediated a landlord-tenant dispute involving allegations that late-payment fees imposed on tenants constituted unlawful liquidated damages under California law.
  • Mediated a dispute involving ownership of a six-unit apartment building and allegations that the property was transferred through undue influence. The matter involved competing claims to title and property ownership rights.
  • Mediated a real estate dispute between co-owners seeking partition and resolution of competing ownership interests in real property. 
  • Mediated a high-profile dispute involving a proposal to rename a historic public landmark and issues concerning naming rights, public interests, and preservation concerns. 
  • Mediated a dispute arising from a failed real estate transaction involving competing claims to approximately $3.325 million held in escrow as an option fee.
  • Mediated a residential housing dispute involving allegations of disability discrimination, failure to accommodate mobility-related needs, and related eviction proceedings. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving approximately 50 tenants asserting claims for habitability defects, disability access violations, statutory housing violations, and related damages arising from residential tenancy conditions. 
  • Mediated a dispute involving competing easement rights and obligations affecting the use and enjoyment of real property. 
  • Mediated an eminent domain dispute involving a public agency's acquisition of private property for transportation-related purposes. The matter involved valuation and compensation issues. 
  • Mediated an eminent domain dispute involving valuation of both real property and associated business goodwill arising from a governmental taking. 
  • Mediated a residential construction dispute between neighboring property owners involving property-line issues, construction impacts, and alleged interference with shared easement rights.

Sports

  • Mediated a dispute involving commissions allegedly owed in connection with sponsorship agreements negotiated on behalf of a professional sports franchise. 
  • Mediated disputes involving professional athletes, sports management agreements, consulting arrangements, sponsorship rights, fiduciary duties, and compliance with professional sports regulations.

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

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

 
  • Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Mediation, Best Lawyers in America, 2026
  • Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America, 2020-2024
  • Selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2019-2020
  • Recognized as a Best Lawyer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Category, Best Lawyers in America, 2009-2016
  • Recognized as a Top 50 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2010 and 2012
  • Emil Gumpert Award for promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2005
  • Justice Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Award, 2005
  • Distinguished Public Service Award, Orange County Federal Bar Association, 2003
  • Maynard Toll Award for service to the underprivileged, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2002
  • Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award, 1999
  • Federal Court Trial Judge of the Year, Malibu Bar Association, 1998
  • Peter The Great Gold Medal of Honor, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences for outstanding contributions to the field of law, 1998
  • Trial Jurist of the Year, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 1994-1995
  • Trial Judge of the Year, California Trial Lawyers Association, 1987
  • Advisory Director to the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Policy
  • Member, Board of Directors, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Glendale Memorial Hospital Foundation, Armenian Eye Care Project, Exceptional Children’s Foundation
  • Lecturer for numerous Bar Associations, California Continuing Education Programs, and State Bar Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Seminars

Background and Education

  • Judge, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 1986-2007
  • Of Counsel, Lewis, D’Amato, Brisbois & Bisgaard, Los Angeles, CA, 1985-1986
  • Partner, Manatt Phelps Rothenberg & Tunney, Los Angeles, CA, 1982-1985
  • Judge, Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles, 1978-1982
  • Judge, Los Angeles Municipal Court, 1972-1978
  • Partner, Kirtland & Packard, Los Angeles, CA, 1966-1972
  • Tax Accountant, Arthur Anderson & Company, 1965-1966
  • J.D., University of Southern California School of Law, Los Angeles, CA, 1965
  • B.S., cum laude, Finance and Accounting, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 1962

Virtual & In-Person Locations

Home Offices

  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Century City, CA

Available to Travel To

  • Inland Empire, CA
  • Orange County, CA
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA

Virtual hearings available nationwide

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