Jeffrey Benz

25 years of resolving disputes as counsel, client, and arbitrator/mediator, in many industries and subject matter, worldwide. Appointed as arbitrator in 400+ cases...

Experience

25 years of resolving disputes as counsel, client, and arbitrator/mediator, in many industries and subject matter, worldwide. Appointed as arbitrator in 400+ cases worldwide and as mediator in 100+ cases. Served as arbitrator since 2001.

Work History

2011-Present Private Practice (Entertainment, sports, technology, domestic and international dispute resolution, Los Angeles and London, UK) 2009-2011 COO and General Counsel, Golden Spear, LLC, Shanghai/San Francisco 2007-2009 COO and General Counsel, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Holdings, LLC, Los Angeles 2006-2007 COO and General Counsel, A2 Holdings, LLC, Los Angeles 2001-2006 General Counsel, US Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs 1995-2001 Attorney, Coudert Brothers, San Francisco 1993-1995 Attorney, Boughey Garvie & Bushner, San Francisco and Honolulu

Cases

Almost every case I serve on as an arbitrator or mediator is confidential.

Training

AAA Managing the Arbitration Process for Efficiency & Economy Following the Preliminary Hearing, 2013; AAA Webinar, Developments in Arbitration Law: Disclosure, Vacatur, Sanctions, and Arbitrator Authority, 2013; Center for Effective Dispute Resolution Accredited Mediator Training Seminar, 2013; AAA Labor Arbitrator I, 2012; AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration (ACE004), 2012; AAA Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-Represented Parties (ACE002), 2012; AAA/ICDR Neutrals Conference, 2012; LA County Bar Association Attorney Client Mediation and Arbitration Services Fee Arbitration Training, 2012; Pepperdine University Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Mediating the Litigated Case, 2011; Chartered Institute of Arbitrators North American Division Fellow Training Course in International Arbitration, 2011; AAA Fundamentals of Effective Mediation Advocacy, 2011; AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure (ACE003), 2011; AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices for New Arbitrators, 2010; AAA Anti-Doping Mandatory Training for CAS Arbitrators-North America, 2008; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards (ACE001), 2008; AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process, & Dynamics (ACE005), 2008; Utah State Bar Association Salt Lake City Olympic Games Attorney Arbitration Training, Panelist 2002; AAA/CAS/USADA Arbitrator Training, 2001; CAS Arbitrator Training, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2005, 2001; Sport Resolutions UK Training, How To Investigate Safeguarding Concerns in Sport 2014; attended numerous seminars on representing parties in arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution and lectured at several.

License(s)

California Colorado Hawaii New York England and Wales (barrister)

Education

BA University of Michigan JD University of Texas MBA University of Michigan

Publications

DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE 2014 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SOCHI PART 2 LawInSport July 31, 2014 Sports disputes arising before and during the Olympic Games take many forms, and are almost universally resolved through arbitration. This article, the second in a two part series, discusses the various disputes that arose before and during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, including cases involving selections/eligibility and doping.

DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE 2014 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SOCHI PART 1 LawInSport July 31, 2014 Sports disputes arising before and during the Olympic Games take many forms, and are almost universally resolved through arbitration. This article, the first in a two part series, discusses the various disputes that arose before and during the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, including cases involving selections/eligibility and doping.

BOOK REVIEW - SPORT: LAW AND PRACTICE (THIRD EDITION 2014) LawInSport June 17, 2014 There are few sports law texts in publication that are as complete and well-structured as Sport: Law and Practice, authored by Adam Lewis, QC and Jonathan Taylor. This review covers the recently published third edition.

Arbitration in China: Will the Real CIETAC Please Step Forward? ADR Times December 17, 2013 The confusion over the key arbitral institutions in China appears to be settled, but is it?

Italy: Mandatory Mediation is Back! ADR Times October 2013 Italy had a groundbreaking mandatory mediation law until its highest constitutional court threw it out. In response, in 2013 the Italian government has enacted modifications to the prior law and is implementing it.

British Hospitality—When Is a Bed a Bribe? The U.K. Bribery Act and Its Implications for Event Organizers, Sponsors, and Related Persons American Bar Association Entertainment and Sports Lawyer July 2012 The UK has the most significant corrupt business practices statute in the world, with extra-territorial application. Learn the implications for sport.

Does Winning in Sports Mean Losing in Dispute Resolution? ADR Times Perspectives April 2012 Win-win outcomes are not contemplated on the field of play. Does this culture affect compromise in disputes away from the action? Should sports be more embracing of mediation off the field of play?

Take Control of your Arbitration Costs ADR Times January 21, 2012 Parties can control the costs of their arbitrations and mediation by carefully drafting a solid, tailored clause that defines the process for their disputes.

Common Issues in International Sports Arbitration Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal 2009 Being an effective advocate in sports arbitration cases requires adapting your techniques and approach to the unique aspects of sports arbitration process and culture.

Awards

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Accredited Mediator, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) The International Who’s Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers, Who’s Who Legal, listed among the leading 350 lawyers worldwide as a leader in the field of Sports and Entertainment Law since 2013.

Panels

JAMS American Arbitration Association ICDR ICC-USCIB London Court of International Arbitration Beijing Arbitration Commission China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission Republic of China Arbitration Association Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration Court of Arbitration for Sport Ladies Professional Golf Association Arbitration Panel Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Tribunal IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal Bucharest International Arbitration Commission

Associations

American Bar Association (Dispute Resolution and Business Law Sections and Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries)
Association for International Arbitration
Swiss Arbitration Association
Southern California Mediation Association
Los Angeles County Bar Association
Beverly Hills Bar Association
Sports Lawyers Association (Board member)
National Sports Law Institute (Board member) RexSport

Miscellaneous

Adjunct Professor, Pepperdine University Law School, Straus Institute, Malibu Life Member, Alumni Association of the University of Michigan Life Member, Texas Exes