Joseph C. Malpasuto, Esq

Arbitrator, Mediator, Private Judge

While I am involved in the arbitration and mediation of general business disputes, I specialize in the arbitration and mediation of construction disputes. It is my firm believe that the likelihood of your resolving your  dispute through mediation is directly related to the mediator's or arbitrator's  expertise, knowledge and experience with the technical and legal issues involved with the dispute itself. The parties who have utilized my services as a mediator do so with an eye  toward my providing them with an honest, on point evaluation of their respective issues.  In my view, it makes no more sense to expect an entertainment lawyer to fully understand and assist the parties in resolving a construction  dispute than it would to hire a dentist to perform heart surgery. The construction business like any other, has its own terminology, customary practices and methodology that can only be fully understood by someone who has extensive experience dealing with these concepts on a day to day basis.

Because of my unique qualifications I can, and more than 95% of the time have, resolved those construction and general business disputes which I have mediated. Additionally, I believe  my experience over the years in the construction and construction litigation business allows the parties who arbitrate matter before me to so without having to go through the time consuming process of educating me on the fundamentals of construction.

After graduating from the University of the Pacific in 1960 I started working in the construction business beginning as a laborer and worked my way up the ranks to vice president and chief operating officer.  I started law school in 1971 attending at night while performing my construction duties during the day, graduating in 1975 as the class Co-Salutatorian and member of the Law Review,  passing the California State Bar Examination that same year.

In my over 45 years experience with the construction industry I have been involved in almost every aspect of the construction and materials manufacturing business  and have been involved in disputes of all sizes from as little as five thousand dollars to over 200 million dollars . I  have represented owners, developers, general contractors, subcontracts, material suppliers and sureties and others.