Intro
As a litigator, Neil has been lead counsel in a substantial number of court and jury trials and appeals in state and federal courts, and arbitrations in the areas of legal malpractice defense, technology, fiduciary fraud, corporate and business disputes, real estate and natural resources involving environmental, water and oil and gas.
He is a longtime and skilled arbitrator with more than 40 years on the American Arbitration Association Commercial-Panel, arbitrating business, real estate, and technology disputes.
Neil also serves as a settlement officer and Pro Tem Judge for the San Francisco Superior Court, and served as Assistant General Counsel for the firm.
Neil has broad transactional experience. He served as outside general counsel to a publicly-held technology company handling all manner of litigation, contract and securities issues. His oil and gas experience includes representing landowners in negotiating and terminating leases.
Additionally, he currently represents several prominent cooperative apartment corporations in San Francisco, and has served on their Board of Directors.
Education
Admissions and Courts
Nob Hill Association, Board of Directors
Mandatory Settlement Conference Panel of San Francisco Superior Court, Settlement Conference Officer
San Francisco Superior Court, Judge Pro Tem-Unlawful Detainer Settlement Panel
American Bar Association
American Bar Foundation, Fellow
San Francisco Bar Association Fee Dispute Panel
California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2019–2021)
Top Rated Lawyers - San Francisco's Legal Leaders, San Francisco Chronicle (2015)
Top Rated Lawyers™ in Appellate Law; Martindale-Hubbell® (2013)
Top Rated Lawyers™ in Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources; Martindale-Hubbell® (2013)
San Francisco’s Top-Rated Lawyers (2012)
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rating (2022-2024)
Super Lawyers, Business Litigation; Appellate; Business & Corporate (2004-2006)
United States v. Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, 723 F.3d 1029 (9th Cir. 2013)
United States v. Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116239 (D. Nev. 2011)
United States, et al. v. Bell, et al, 602 F.3d 1074, 1087 (9th Cir. 2011).
United States v. Truckee-Carson Irrigation Dist., 429 F.3d 902 (9th Cir. 2005)
As You Sow v. Conbraco Industries, 135 Cal.App.4th 431 (1st Dist. 2005)
United States v. Orr Water Ditch Co., 391 F.3d 1077 (9th Cir. 2004)
Zack v. Marin Emergency Radio Authority, 118 Cal.App.4th 617 (1st Dist. 2004)
Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation v. Edmund A. Gray Co., 115 Cal. App.4th 8 (1st. Dist. 2003)
"Calif.'s Post-Sanchez Unconscionability Doctrine," co-author, Law360 (September 2015)
"The State Of Arbitration Enforcement In California," co-author, Law360 (April 2014)
"Renewed Attention to Arbitration Agreements," CALA Legal Update (April 2012)
"Impact of Recent Supreme Court Arbitration Decisions on Enforceability of Health Care Arbitration Provisions in California," Hanson Bridgett Litigation Alert (March 2012)
"Drafting Commercial Arbitration Clauses," Hanson Bridgett Litigation Alert (March 2012)
"Navigating Unconscionability Post-Concepcion," Law 360 (December 2011)
"What Executives and General Counsel Need to Know about Drafting ADR Provisions in Contracts," chapter author, STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP: Leading ADR Lawyers Discuss Best Practices for Alternative Dispute Resolution (October 2011)
"Do's and Don't's on Maximizing Arbitration," The Daily Journal (October 2011)
"Arbitration? Let's Review," Cal Law (February 2009)
"Selected Panelist and Contributor to Contract Negotiations and Preparation in the Oil and Gas Industry: Drafting Complete and Unambiguous Agreements," Lorman Education Services (2005)
"Mediation in the United States," webinar, Globalaw Dispute Resolution Initiative (February 2016)