Arbitrator, Attorney, Consultant, Educator, Executive, Judge, Mediator

President and Shareholder, Alpert, Barr & Grant, APLC, 1976-present; Shareholder, Mink & Alpert, APLC, 1974 -1976; Associate, Ruderman, Levin, Ballin, Plotkin and Graf, Law Corp., 1973 - 1974; File Clerk, then Associate, Newson & Wolfsberg, Law Corp, 1969 - 1973.

A series of lengthy and substantive broad based legal, business and government related experience, as well as expertise in unique areas of practice and participation, highlight in resume. <br/><br/>With extensive legal experience in civil litigation, sophisticated transactional work and substantial construction and real estate related representation, is a consistent leader in a myriad of fields, including decades of involvement in the telecommunications and cable television industry. Having served as Commission President of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power - the largest municipal utility in the country, President of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Commission, and Commissioner of the Los Angeles World Airports Commission, this actively engaged and highly regarded leader possesses in-depth and firsthand knowledge of a wide range of industries. Proven familiarity and expertise with the aviation, construction, telecommunications, and public and private utility industries allows this neutral to expertly assess and analyze complex issues relating to a multitude of topics, including the overseeing, advising and securitizing of major assets from internal and external threats. Furthermore, through decades of service on regional and community hospital boards, and various leadership and consulting positions for and with different entities related to the healthcare industry, has gained valuable experience not only in the corporate healthcare industry, but also in the representation of medical professionals, individually or as a group, in all aspects of their practice including the sale and disposition of the same. <br/><br/>Represented professional entertainers, athletes and their families in a variety of personal, business and real estate related matters. <br/><br/>Taught business law at California State University, Northridge and has lectured throughout the country and internationally on various areas of expertise on behalf of local, national and international clients and organizations. <br/><br/>Consistently recognized by businesses, business organizations, government agencies, not for profit organizations and media outlets for exceptional and indefatigable integrity, ethics, work and commitment to the legal profession and to the betterment of the community. Has resulted in numerous appointments to various government related committees and commissions in the City, County, State level, as well as other leadership roles in professional, governmental and community based organizations. <br/><br/>As a pioneer of the alternative dispute resolution process in the region, has a thorough understanding of the difficulty and anxiety commonly associated with the process. Has always been cognizant of the need for a fair, reasonable, reliable and speedy resolution to all matters.

First American Arbitration Association mediator in the West Coast, has been called to mediate innumerable disputes, including those between government entities, private corporations, businesses, individuals and even families. Possesses a wealth of experience and demonstrated effectivity in alternative dispute resolution, having handled multi-million dollar disputes between the City of Long Beach and its own transit authority, and disputes related to the construction and operation of McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada which was ultimately resolved. <br/><br/>Furthermore, has also worked on a myriad of real estate related disputes, including some between a world renowned architect and a privately owned company based in Bakersfield, California involving major construction defects, as well as other matters involving the purchase and sale of real property and other real estate related disputes. Has also expertly handled a variety of partnership disputes involving different types of companies, including law firms, accounting firms and general partnerships, having specialized in this type of law for many years. <br/><br/>With considerable knowledge and exposure to the entertainment industry, has been asked to mediate a multitude of issues related to contractual and revenue sharing disputes involving actors, artists, agents, production outfits and studios. Additionally, many years of personal involvement with various industries including the news, entertainment, cable, telecommunications, aviation, public and private utilities and sports-related industries has given this mediator invaluable knowledge on how the different industries operate. <br/><br/>Additionally, has gained significant knowledge in government owned entities, regulations and structures, through tireless personal involvement in community organizations and innumerable appointments to a myriad government related entities, committees and commissions. With substantial interaction and contacts with those in government and public and private industries, this individual is widely known and highly regarded for unquestionable ethics and integrity. To this end, has been consistently tapped by the State Insurance Commissioner’s Office to mediate countless disputes involving insurance carriers in matters of commercial, residential and personal injury disputes, to municipal entities, media outlets, celebrities and many others. Matters of note include disputes that arose between insurance companies and their insured after the destructive 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Has handled a myriad of cases involving real estate disputes, contractual issues, partnership issues and general business and personal disputes involving individuals, families, partnerships, businesses, public and private entities and even government agencies and entities. <br/><br/>Has significant experience and demonstrated effectivity in alternative dispute resolution, was asked and chosen to mediate a matter involving the City of Long Beach and its own transit authority regarding contractual issues propounded by both sides in a multi-million dollar dispute. Additionally, was tasked to mediate a dispute involving the construction and operation of McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada for a multi-million dollar amount, which was ultimately resolved. Moreover, successfully mediated a matter involving the Metropolitan News Company and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office involving a media relations dispute. <br/><br/>Furthermore, has also worked on numerous real estate related matters, including some between a world renowned architect and a privately owned company based in Central California involving major construction defects, as well as other matters involving the purchase and sale of real property and other real estate related disputes. <br/><br/>Also expertly handled matters of partnership disputes involving different types of companies, including law firms, accounting firms and general partnerships, having specialized in this type of law for many years. Significant knowledge and exposure to the entertainment industry also allowed this individual to mediate a multitude of disputes related to contractual and revenue sharing matters involving actors, artists, agents, production outfits and studios. Familiarity with the news, entertainment, cable, telecommunications, aviation, public and private utilities and sports-related industries has also enabled this intermediary to resolve numerous related matters through the years.

The alternative dispute resolution or mediation process is an outstanding alternative to our overburdened courts. Mediation, whether it be voluntary or mandatory, allows all parties to present their arguments in a less intimidating and non-threatening atmosphere that ultimately strives to foster better relations between parties. Additionally, mediation tends to be more cost efficient and expeditious compared to judicial proceedings, which also allows parties more flexibility in negotiating and developing the most appropriate resolution for all involved. <br/> <br/>While a judge wields the most power and control in a court proceeding, a mediator serves as an unbiased guide who assists parties in analyzing, addressing and ultimately resolving their own disputes or at least bringing the dispute closer to a resolution. A mediator may be likened to a facilitator who allows parties to more openly express their views and arguments, while encouraging respectful communication between parties and guiding them to an acceptable resolution and/or compromise. <br/> <br/>The less formal mediation process also provides parties with the ability to introduce and discuss information that may not otherwise be admissible in court. In mediation, an expert neutral understands that disputes are driven by a variety of factors, which will likely have an effect on the proceedings, be it emotionally, legally, financially or professionally motivated. Generally, parties who agree to voluntary mediation demonstrate a willingness and desire to bring disputes to an end. While some parties involved in disputes may view mandatory mediation as a futile exercise, many times the right mediator may be able to bring otherwise hostile parties closer to a compromise. <br/> <br/>The resolution of large disputes tends to start with the resolution of even the most minute detail. Allowing parties to resolve the smaller issues first usually gives them the confidence to tackle the larger issues later on. A good mediator listens to the parties’ concerns, endeavors to understand each party’s needs and helps them identify the root of the issue and what may, can and should be done to address their disputes. Additionally, this process is unique in that although it gives parties the freedom to negotiate their own resolution, parties may attribute the ruling or judgment to the mediator thereby placing responsibility for the end result onto a third party. Moreover, typically at the end of the process, the flexibility of alternative dispute resolution allows parties to end their experience feeling reasonably satisfied and accepting of the ultimate solution which consequently allows feuding parties to continue business relations after a dispute.<br/> <br/>When entering mediation, parties should ideally be open to discussing the matter at hand and provide sufficient background to the dispute. Furthermore, each side should also be willing to listen to opposing views in order to gain a better understanding of the each party’s rationale. Mediation is truly a unique and powerful tool that encourages parties to develop a resolution most acceptable to all involved. It is a beneficial but underutilized tool that more parties should consider should they ever be involved in a litigious situation. The alternative dispute resolution or mediation process is an outstanding alternative to our overburdened courts. Mediation, whether it be voluntary or mandatory, allows all parties to present their arguments in a less intimidating and non-threatening atmosphere that ultimately strive to foster better relations between parties. Additionally, mediation tends to be more cost efficient and expeditious compared to judicial proceedings, which also allows parties more flexibility in negotiating and developing the most appropriate resolution for all involved.

Loyola Law School (JD 1972)<br/>University of Southern California (BS 1969)

Admitted to Bar, California, 1972. <br/>Admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit. <br/>Admitted to Admitted to Supreme Court, 1984.<br/>Certification, Harvard University, Graduate School of Business Executive Program Not-for-Profit Leadership and Management, 2006.

San Fernando Valley Bar Association<br/>Los Angeles Bar Association<br/>State Bar of California

$3,500 Per Day

English

United States of America

Sherwood Forest, CA