Jeffrey Benz, Esq., FCIArb, FCollArb, CEDS, is a dual-qualified US attorney (California, Colorado, Hawaii, New York) and barrister (England & Wales) and sought-after ADR practitioner based in London and Los Angeles. Following a career as a private practice litigator with a large international law firm, Mr. Benz worked in-house at global sports and entertainment and technology organizations, including in executive leadership positions. He brings this well-rounded perspective to his ADR practice. 

Mr. Benz has mediated and arbitrated several hundred complex domestic and cross-border disputes under the rules of many major institutions. He has been recognized repeatedly as "Lawyer of the Year" for arbitration in Los Angeles and was recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyers, 2021-23). 

Mr Benz has also developed a sports-focused specialty. According to Who's Who Legal 2018-22 UK Bar, he is "'widely recognised for his first-rate arbitration practice' and clients note he is 'in a class of his own' when it comes to complex sports disciplinary disputes." In 2016, the BBC noted Mr. Benz is "widely regarded as amongst the most experienced judges" in world sport.

Mr. Benz is known for his creativity, and brings the high energy and unflagging persistence of a former competitive athlete to drive resolutions. Clients favourably note his "sense of humour", his ability to "quickly distil the essential details of the case" and "generate the goodwill and rapport" to drive matters to a satisfactory conclusion. As an arbitrator, Mr. Benz shapes the process with an eye for efficiency and fairness, born of his background as lawyer and client.

He remains an Adjunct Professor teaching dispute resolution, ethics in international commercial and domestic arbitration, and sports law at Pepperdine University Law School's Straus Institute (Malibu). He has also tutored courses at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and on arbitration programs for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the developing world.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• Experienced mediator and arbitrator, handling cross-border and domestic business/commercial, real estate, employment, intellectual property, public law matters, and consumer cases
• Particular sector expertise in entertainment, sports, cannabusiness, technology, and telecommunications
• Trained as Title IX external Hearing Officer and Adjudicator for colleges in sexual assault and harassment cases, including college-specific Policies & Procedures
• Frequently serves as chair of three arbitrator panels or as party-appointed arbitrator or as sole arbitrator (over half of his arbitration appointments have involved serving as wing or chair arbitrator in a tripartite panel)
• Arbitrated more than 400 doping and sports discipline and qualification claims (reported Court of Arbitration for Sport and domestic decisions include USADA v Bruyneel (the only arbitrated Lance Armstrong-related case), Sharapova v ITF, Cilic v ITF, ROC v IAAF, Armistead v UK Anti-Doping, UEFA and FIFA soccer/football cases, and many others)
• Member, NCAA Independent Resolution Panel (related to infractions disputes)
• Chair, NCAA Infractions Referral Committee

Representative Matters

• Business Commercial
• Early neutral evaluation and fact finding on behalf of the board of directors in a dispute over corporate governance, between shareholders, in a financial services company in the healthcare industry based in London.
• Arbitrated business dissolution between investors in a Southern California restaurant, including valuation of equity interests and overall business.
• Arbitrated consumer products sales agreement and licensing dispute involving major producer and distributor of cosmetic products and over $70 million USD in dispute.
• Arbitrated dispute between large telemarketing company and telephone call automation company relating to provision of services to telemarking company for mass calling to sell products and services to potential customers.
• Arbitrated dispute between attorney and major provider of online services for attorneys in claim for breach of contract and counterclaims.
• Arbitrated claims between former students of private for-profit universities relating to education in various industries alleging breach of contract, fraud, breach of covenant and good faith and fair dealing, and issues relating to scholarships and loans for students to attend same.
• Arbitrated numerous claims arising under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) against automobile dealers
• Arbitrated breach of contract claims between restaurant supply companies and restaurants relating to various restaurant-related products.
• Mediated dispute over distribution of food products on spot market, involving claims related to food spoiling, breach of contract, FDA recalls, and similar matters.
• Mediated claims for breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing and fraud arising from an agreement for supplying software services.
• Mediated dozens of disputes brought by consumers against commercial banks.
• Arbitrated numerous disputes involving the creation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of various food products.
• Employment Law
• Mediated numerous claims between employee and employers regarding workplace harassment, gender and other protected class discrimination (race, sex, national origin, and age), and pay inequity, in many industries.
• Arbitrated workplace harassment, discrimination and pay inequity claims between employees and employers.
• Arbitrated claim between class of independent film employees for back pay, wages, penalties, and interest asserted against independent film producer.
• Arbitrated claims for reduction in force actions by private employers, wrongful termination and other disciplinary challenges by employees in various industries.
• Arbitrated and mediated claims for breach of executive employment agreements and independent contractor agreements.
• Entertainment & Sports
• Arbitrated claims of misapplication or misappropriation of funds from collection accounts related to film production.
• Mediated dispute between prominent successful hip hop songwriter and his business managers arising from contractual claims under management agreement.
• Mediated dispute between prominent hip hop band and publisher arising from claims of copyright violation, breach of contract, and similar claims.
• Mediated claims for copyright infringement involving film and music properties
• Arbitrated claim between class of independent film employees for back pay, wages, penalties, and interest asserted against independent film producer.
• Arbitrated claim between independent film producer and individual investors arising from production of independent film involving claims of fraud, breach of contract and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
• Arbitrated claim between hedge fund investors and film production company arising from production of two films, alleging claims of breach of contract, fraud, conversion, and related claims.
• Arbitrated claim between nightclub promoter and nightclub owners arising from promotional contract with claims of breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing and similar claims.
• Arbitrated claim between major distributor of satellite television content and an authorized reseller alleging claims of breach of contract, fraud, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, interference, and similar claims.
• Arbitrated and mediated several matters between debtors and creditors in connection with entertainment and intellectual property rights.
• Mediated multiple sports disputes between athletes, teams, and others involved in Olympic-related National Governing Body-related sanctioning or governance disputes.
• Arbitrated disputes involving claims of abuse of athletes by coaches and others.
• Arbitrated commercial disputes between sponsors and others related to sponsorship of various sports properties.
• Arbitrated sponsorship dispute between a European professional cycling team and its large European sponsor relating to claims of breach of contract by both sides, with more than $50 million USD in dispute.
• Arbitrated dozens of claims of breach of sports-related employment agreements between athletes in many different sports, including football/soccer.
• Advised on arbitration of employment contract disputes of NCAA coaches with their universities, providing mock arbitration, advisory, and other services.
• Member, NCAA Independent Resolution Panel (related to infractions disputes)
• Chair, NCAA Infractions Referral Committee
• Health Care
• Arbitrated claims by hospitals and healthcare providers against large insurers relating to non-payment of claims.
• Mediated claims of medical malpractice between patients and physicians.
• Arbitrated contractual and billing disputes between hospitals and medical insurance providers involving insurance coverage issues.
• Intellectual Property
• Arbitrated and mediated numerous trade secrets and unfair competition matters.
• Mediated claims for copyright infringement involving film and music properties.
• Arbitrated dispute between software as a service (SAAS) provider and client relating to delivery of certain customized software with claims under the consulting agreement for breach of contract, fraud, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing arising from consultant billing and performance of the software product delivered.
• Arbitrated dispute between major online marketplace and one of its sellers arising from allegations of breach of the terms of service of the online marketplace.
• Maritime Admiralty
• Claims between sailors and longshoremen arising under the Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA) and under maritime common law relating to injuries and deaths.
• Claims under bills of lading between shippers, freight forwarders, brokers, vessel owners, and cargo companies, and arising under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA).
• Personal Injury
• Arbitrated claims of wrongful death and related torts for the death of a minor in the care of a privately run halfway house facility.
• Arbitrated numerous claims of personal injury torts, including products liability, against manufacturers of various consumer and heavy industry related products.
• Claims of invasion of privacy and related torts arising from debt collection activities.
• Mediated claims relating to wrongful death, personal injury, products liability, and other torts relating to use of consumer products, heavy industrial products, services, and similar cases.
• Mediated medical malpractice claims between patient and physician.
• Real Property
• Arbitrated multiple claims of breach of contract and fraud in the purchase and sale of residential real estate.
• Arbitrated claims of breach of contract in commercial real estate leases.
• Arbitrated complex claims of insurance coverage and causation in land spoliation cases.
• Arbitrated claims of personal injury related to access to real property.
• Arbitrated collection cases relating to payments due for rental of residential and commercial property.
• Arbitrated and mediated claims related to dissolution of real estate investment partnership including valuation of real property and equity interests.
• Mediated pre-litigation dispute between large manager of residential real estate properties nationwide and payment systems company for claims of breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and similar claims.

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

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

Memberships, Honors and Affiliations

• Recognized, "Lawyer of the Year Award - Arbitration," Best Lawyers, 2023 
• Recognized, "Best Lawyers in America," Best Lawyers, 2020-2023
• Recognized, Who's Who Legal: Thought Leaders - Sports 2021
• Recognized, Who's Who Legal: UK Bar 2021, Sports Juniors
• Recognized, Who's Who Legal Thought Leader: UK Bar 2020, Sports 
• Member, National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Independent Resolution Panel
• Chair, National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Infractions Referral Committee
• Recognized, "Lawyer of the Year" for Arbitration in Los Angeles, Best Lawyers, 2021
• Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators
• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Accredited Mediator, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR)
• Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute (IMI)
• Certified E-Discovery Specialist (CEDS), Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS)
• Member, Selden Society (English Legal history) 
• Member, The Commercial Bar Association (COMBAR) (London)
• Member, Society of English and American Lawyers (London) 
• Member, British Insurance Law Association (BILA) (London)
• Member, the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn
• Member, Academy of Court-Appointed Masters
• Former Vice President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, North American Branch
• Member, American Bar Association (Forum on Entertainment & Sports Law; Litigation, Business Law, Health Law, and Dispute Resolution Sections)
• Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Subcommittee, American Bar Association Business Law Section
• Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
• Member, Association for International Arbitration
• Member, American Health Lawyers Association
• Member, California Society for Healthcare Attorneys
• Member, panel of arbitrators of Court of Arbitration for Sport, Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, LCIA, CIETAC, ICC, Beijing Arbitration Commission, Bucharest International Arbitration Center, Republic of China International Arbitration Association, Scottish Arbitration Centre, Sport Resolutions Uk, and others.
• Member, IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal
• Recognized, Who's Who Legal, Entertainment and Sports Law, Worldwide, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; Recognized, Who's Who Legal, UK Bar 2017, 2018, 2019, Leading Barristers
• Emeritus Board Member, former Co-Chair of International Committee, and Annual Conference Co-Chair, Sports Lawyers Association (SLA)
• Member, British Association for Sport and Law
• Board Member, National Sports Law Institute
• Board Member, Insitute of Sports Law and Ethics
• Advisory Board Member, ASU Sports Law & Business 
• Member, RexSport
• Advisory Board Member, LawInSport.com, 2013-Present
• Author or co-author of leading articles on ADR, international and domestic commercial and sports arbitration and mediation, and managing costs in ADR; frequent trainer and lecturer on arbitration, mediation and sports topics around the world.

ADR Profiles

• "The Cutting Edge," Daily Journal, ADR Profile, November 16, 2018
• "The Next Generation of Neutrals," Bloomberg BNA, ADR Profile, August 13, 2016

Background and Education

• 4 New Square Barristers, Lincoln’s Inn, London (mediation, arbitration, dispute resolution, sports, corporate governance, early neutral evaluation/factfinding, investigations, entertainment, technology)
• Affiliate, 2021 - 2024
• Door Tenant, 2013-2021 
• Attorney, Mediator, and Arbitrator, Versus Advocates and Benz Law Group, Los Angeles, 2007-2016 (general commercial practice, transactions and litigation, sports, technology, entertainment, general counsel services, investigations)
• Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary, Golden Spear, LLC, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, China, 2009-2010 (technology, software, telecommunications, entertainment, corporate governance, China joint ventures, Chinese law/culture)
• Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary, AVP, Inc. and AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, Los Angeles, 2007-2008 (sports, entertainment, music, public company compliance, corporate governance, M&A)
• Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs, and Secretary, A2 Holdings, LLC, Los Angeles, 2006-2007 (sports, corporate governance, investments/M&A, entertainment)
• General Counsel, Managing Director of Legal and Government Affairs, Chief Compliance Officer, and Secretary, United States Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs, 2001-2006 (sports, commercial transactions/litigation, real estate, licensing, trademarks, corporate governance, employment)
• Attorney, Coudert Brothers (co-chair and founder of Worldwide Sports Practice Group and member of Litigation and Arbitration practice groups), San Francisco, 1996-2001 (antitrust, commercial litigation and arbitration, patent and trademark litigation, sports)
• Attorney, Boughey, Garvie & Bushner (successor to Dorr, Cooper & Hayes, later merged with Wilson, Elser, et al.), San Francisco & Honolulu, 1993-1996 (insurance coverage and defense, general liability, commercial litigation, admiralty, maritime)
• Pepperdine University Law School Straus Institute’s “Mediating the Litigated Case” course
• Legal Intern, Lloyd's of London Claims Office
• Certificate, EU, Marine Insurance, and International Trade Law, University of London Queen Mary Faculty of Laws 
• J.D., University of Texas School of Law (Austin) (Officer, Board of Advocates; Technical Editor, The Review of Litigation)
• M.B.A., University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) Ross School of Business
• B.A., University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) (Political Science)