Arbitration and Mediation Services - First Resolution Services, Inc.

Dispute Resolution Services - First Resolution Services, Inc. (FRS) is a full service alternative dispute resolution (ADR) firm that provides arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution processes. Our panel primarily consists of distinguished retired judges and justices. Our mission is to provide all of our clients with the highest standards of service in the industry. We pride ourselves on our hand picked expert panel members who are committed to facilitating cost-effective, impartial and constructive resolutions in their respective areas of expertise.

Dispute Resolution Services
Dispute Resolution
ADR Services
ADR
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Mediation
Mediation Services
Arbitration
Arbitration Services

We offer services in the following areas:

Inland Empire
Riverside county
Ventura county
Los Angeles county
Orange county
San Bernardino county
Santa Barbara

877-9RESOLVE

866-9RESOLVE

info@disputeresolution.org


	Hon. James M. Slater (Ret.) T: 310.461.1520 F: 310.461.1522

Following 20 years of continuous service on the bench in Santa Barbara County, Judge Slater retired from the Superior Court in 1997. During his judicial career he presided over civil jury and court trials, settlement conferences, civil law and motion, family court, probate court and criminal proceedings. The civil assignments predominated his calendar and covered virtually all areas of law.

As a mediator, Judge Slater is well respected within the four counties for being insightful, innovative and consistently objective. He is known for his ability to persuade parties to continue talking and working toward settlement. As an arbitrator, Judge Slater is recognized for his dedication to reaching a just decision, and for being unremittingly fair, kind and responsive to each party's needs.

EDUCATION:

(1964) J.D., University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana
(1961) B.A., History, Iona College, New Rochelle, New York

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

(1982-1997) Judge, Superior Court, County of Santa Barbara
(1977-1982) Judge, Municipal Court, County of Santa Barbara
(1973-1977) Third District Supervisor, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors

LEGAL CAREER:

(1966-1977) Attorney, Private Practice
(1965-1966) Deputy District Attorney, County of Santa Barbara

ADR EXPERIENCE:

(1997-Present) Private Arbitrator, Mediator, and Special Master/Referee

ADR TRAINING:

(2007) Construction Mediation Conference, “What You Can’t Not Know”
(2006) AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards
(2006 & 1998) Rutter Group Employment Litigation Seminars
(2005) AAA-Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics
(2004) AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure
(2002) AAA Commercial Arbitrator I and Arbitrator II Training
(2002) AAA Annual Update Training
(2001) CJER/California Judges Association, Civil Law/Mediation Seminar
(2000) Pepperdine University, Master’s Forum
(1999) Golightly Seminars, Advanced Mediation Training
(1998) Pepperdine University School of Law, Advanced Mediation Training
(1992) CJER/California Judges Association, Mediation Training
(1990) CJER/California Judges Association, Judges College

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Business and partnership disputes/dissolutions, employment (wrongful termination, wages and hour, gender/race-based bias or harassment), real property, (failure to disclose defects, contract disputes, structural defects), contracts, insurance, complex commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS:

State Bar of California
California Judges Association
California Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Association for Conflict Resolution

INTERESTS:

Sailing, Fly Fishing, and Travel

AVAILABLE:

Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Also available Statewide (California) & Western United States.