Complex cases demand more than compromise—they require strategy, preparation, and experience.
Meet Mel Simburg
Mel brings over 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, transactional law, and dispute resolution to every matter he handles. His approach is shaped by global perspective and cross-cultural negotiation, giving him a thoughtful lens on even the most complex conflicts. Known for his thorough preparation, steady neutrality, and creative problem-solving, he helps parties find durable solutions in high-conflict, high-stakes cases.
RESOURCES
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Juris Doctor, Columbia University School of Law https://www.law.columbia.edu/
Master of International Affairs, Columbia University School of International Affairs https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/
BA – Political Economy, University of California (Berkeley) Achievement in Macroeconomics https://www.berkeley.edu/
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Arbitrator and Mediator, American Arbitration Association (AAA) https://www.adr.org/
Certified Mediator, Washington Mediation Association
Panelist, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (Rule 39.1)
FINRA Arbitration Panel https://www.finra.org/arbitration-mediation
Panelist, Vancouver, B.C. International Arbitration Centre and Canadian International Internet Dispute Resolution Centre
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Mel regularly teaches and writes on mediation techniques, use of apologies in conflict resolution, resolution of IP disputes, and cross-cultural dispute resolution. Inquire for CLE materials or speaking requests.
DISPUTE EXAMPLES
Business & Commercial Disputes
Custom manufacturing; excess production; compliance with ordering schedule for specialty lighting products.
Contract termination for construction of specialty access for high-bank waterfront.
Online marketplace’s disputes with vendors, customers, and third parties.
Grape grower and winery supply contract dispute.
Commercial seed purchases and resale contracts.
Breach of resale contract by failure to pay fees and provide accountings.
Technology & Development Problems
Patent license development dispute involving R&D in multiple countries.
Computer systems installation and performance disputes, including hardware and software for multinational corporation.
Numerous disputes between software developers and their clients.
Disputes over design and performance requirements for stone products.
Website, web-based services development, IT services disputes.
Market research, branding and marketing contract.
Intellectual Property & Licensing Disputes
Numerous domain name disputes under ICANN Rules and Policy.
Similar style restaurants with similar names and menus.
Trademarks, domain names, and data scraping between overseas nonprofit corporation and unrelated U.S service provider.
Copyright and trademark infringement claims between competitors.
Copyright infringement claims over toy designs, photographs, databases.
Claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
Financial, Financing, & Real Estate Conflicts
Early termination of lease; performance by tenant and landlord.
Lease for cannabis operations.
Entitlement to earnest money deposit for canceled commercial property purchase.
Water rights conflict.
COVID-related lease accommodation for mall tenant.
Claim against bank for allowing fraudulent transfers.
Partnership & Franchise Disputes
Compliance with franchise agreement; exceptions to requirements; expansion of territory.
Conflict among owners of a restaurant.
Expulsion of business partner by other partners.
Termination of franchise.
Claims by franchisees/subfranchisors against franchisor for violation of the Franchise Investment Protection Act and Consumer Protection – Unfair Business Practices Act.
Claims by oil industry franchisee over franchisor’s compliance with agreement and with legislation in various jurisdictions.
Cross-Border and Culturally Complex Matters
Quality of imported commodities; issues of timing, storage, delivery, documentation, chemical treatments, organic qualification.
Ethnic business intrafamily dispute over expenditures and accounting.
Contract dispute between Native Corporation and service provider.
Compliance by Asian manufacturer with IP license requirements.
Financing of property purchase in France.
Breach of purchase contract with Hong Kong company.
