Hon. James Lambden
California Court of Appeal, (Ret.)
First District, Division Two
Mediator • Arbitrator • Discovery Referee • Appellate Consultant
Justice James Lambden brings to his ADR practice nearly four decades of experience as a trial lawyer, trial court judge and Associate Justice of the California Court of Appeal.
Multiday mediation of multi-million-dollar subrogation claims in nationwide food product recall was successfully concluded during a break mid-arbitration.
Mediation of international subrogation claims culminated in acceptance of mediator’s proposal of more than $100 million.
Appointed Umpire in multiple Appraisal Arbitrations under provisions of California Insurance Code Section 2071, including water damage and claims arising from the wildfires in the wine country and Central Valley.
Viticulture, Agriculture And Water Rights
Successfully mediated family dispute over the Estate and Trust management and division of 500 acres of vineyard land in Sonoma County. The issues involved wine production, construction of facilities, and development for non-agricultural uses.
Mediated a dispute involving county’s permit process for aggregate mining of a mix of agricultural land, nature preserves and housing development land.
Consulted with the parties in the appeal of a judgment that resulted in a complex trade of water rights between disparate parts of California (and including tribal interests) crucial to the maintenance of hundreds of acres of almond orchards in the Central Valley.
Mediated the resolution of employment claims at a wine distribution business with nearly 100 employees.
Settled an insurance matter where there were bad faith claims based on inspection and payment of adjusted claim.
An explosion and fire in an East-Asian industrial facility resulted in damage claims exceeding $150 million against and among operators, subcontractors, insurers and re-insurers. Five days of in-person and online mediation sessions over a period of six months, spanning 12 time zones and involving dozens of participants, resulted in a global settlement.
Subordination claim by landlord’s insurer against graduate student who caused fire while performing work at home related to teaching assistant duties.