Biography
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
- Registered Mediator, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York
- Listed in "Best Lawyers in America", 2022
- Recognized as a Top California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2010
- Trial Judge of the Year, Alameda/Contra Costa Trial Lawyers Association, 2005
- Member, Judicial Council of California, 2000-2003
- Member, Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council, 1997-1999 (Chair 1999)
- Author, Making Sense of “ The General Public” Under B & P Section 17200, ABTL Report, Volume 13, No. 3, summer 2004, abtl.org
- Author, EMPOWERING JURORS, Creative Techniques Learned From the Wal-Mart Trial, California Courts Review, Fall 2006
- Public Member, California State Board of Dental Examiners, 1985-1987
- "Neutral Followed in His Father's Legal Footsteps," Daily Journal, ADR Profile, March 7, 2008
- "Forthright and Forthcoming," ADR Profile,Daily Journal, July 31, 2015
- Judge, Superior Court, County of Alameda, 1989-2007 (Presiding Judge, 1996-1997)
- Judge, Municipal Court, County of Alameda, 1987-1989
- Private law practice, Bell, Sheppard & Faria, Fremont California, 1977-1979; Partner, Sabraw, Fudenna, Schenone & Peck, 1979-1987
- Deputy DA, Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, 1976-1977
- J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1975
- B.A., cum laude, University of the Pacific, 1972
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Practice Areas
- Antitrust
- Business/Commercial
- Class Action/Mass Tort
- Construction Defect
- Employment
- Financial Markets
- Insurance
- Personal Injury/Torts
- Real Property
- Securities
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