Judge Sabraw has a been a full time neutral with JAMS since 2007 and prior to that served for seven years as the complex litigation judge in Alameda County. As a neutral and while on the bench, Judge Sabraw has resolved numerous cases in the financial markets sector. His experience includes securities and financial markets disputes as well as class actions involving credit unions, large investment banks, securities firms, commercial banks and credit cards.
Judge Sabraw is known for his patience and persistence in tough, complex financial disputes while maintaining a calm and even-keeled manner. Parties praise his ability to listen to everyone in the room—and make them feel heard. He quickly grasps complex issues in financial markets disputes and has deep knowledge of accounting, insurance and business issues paramount to successful resolutions.
Representative Matters
- Schwartz v. Visa and MasterCard, Dkt. No. 822404-4. As a judge, issued a decision in a consumer claim regarding disclosure of currency conversion fees. Court addressed many significant (pre-Proposition 64) issues regarding California’s Unfair Competition Law. Following a six month bench trial the Court issued a 125 page Statement of Decision. Schwartz v. Visa, 2003 WL 1870370. The matter was settled on appeal. Work on this case is mentioned in “Your Money: A Card Fee Still Hides in the Luggage,” New York Times, February 19, 2010.
- Grafton v. PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Dkt. No. 2002-56106; Grafton v. Union Bank, Dkt. No. 2002-086160; Kipperman v. Sheppard Mullen, Dkt. No. RG03-087483. As a judge, handled cases involving claims against accountants, banks, and lawyers following collapse of Ponzi scheme. Court rendered numerous law and motion rulings on relationships and duties between and among the affected entities. Opinions were published in the Court of Appeal.
- Cross-Country Bank Cases, JCCP 4380. As a judge, handled coordinated consumer class actions regarding alleged unlawful charges by credit card issuer. Court addressed issues concerning adequacy of disclosures and effect of class-wide counterclaims against consumers. These matters are still pending.
- Currently serving as a special master in a class action case against a national commercial bank related to unfair lending practices
- Successfully mediated cases involving disclosure issues in the issuance of bank credit cards
- Successfully resolved multiple class action cases against banks and credit unions concerning alleged failure to comply with California’s Rees-Levering Act in the repossession of automobiles
