ADR RESUME
of Melvyn J. Simburg


Arbitrator & Mediator

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Distinguished arbitrator and mediator with over 30 years of arbitration experience and 20+ years of mediation expertise. Founding partner of Simburg, Ketter, Sheppard & Purdy, LLP (1984-2021), now devoted full-time to dispute resolution. Proven track record facilitating resolutions in complex commercial disputes, intellectual property matters, technology transactions, and organizational conflicts. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and member of prestigious national and international dispute resolution panels.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Commercial Arbitration & Mediation

  • Intellectual Property Disputes

  • Technology & Software Licensing

  • Real Estate & Business Transactions

  • International Business Disputes

  • Organizational Development & Partnership Facilitation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Arbitrator & Mediator

2021 – Present

  • Provides experienced dispute resolution services in business, real estate, intellectual property, technology licensing, web contracts, and international transactions

  • Chair of arbitration panels for multi-million dollar disputes involving computer system installations, banking, commercial leases, contracts, and IP licenses

  • Facilitates partnership formations, dissolutions, and organizational conflict resolution

  • Served as Ombudsman assisting homeowners subject to eminent domain proceedings

Founding Partner

Simburg, Ketter, Sheppard & Purdy, LLP | Seattle, Washington

1984 – 2021

  • Co-founded and built successful law firm focused on complex commercial litigation and assistance to growing small businesses and their owners

  • Advised clients on business transactions, intellectual property protection, technology agreements, and international transactions

  • Developed robust ADR practice serving clients in diverse industries and dispute contexts

PANEL MEMBERSHIPS & APPOINTMENTS

American Arbitration Association (AAA)

  • Mediation Panel

  • Large Complex Cases Panel

  • Intellectual Property Panel

  • Commercial Disputes Panel

Additional National & International Panels

  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR)

  • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) – Securities Disputes

  • Upwork – Online Freelancer-Client Disputes

  • Vancouver International Arbitration Centre (VanIAC), Canada

  • Canadian International Internet Dispute Resolution Centre (CIIDRC) – Domain Name Disputes

  • Rule 39.1 Panel, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

  • King County Superior Court

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & PUBLICATIONS

Frequent presenter on mediation and arbitration topics, including:

  • Fundamentals of Mediation

  • Resolution of Intellectual Property Disputes

  • Psychology of Mediation

  • Effective Advocacy in Mediation

  • Mock Mediation Sessions

Authored multiple articles on alternative dispute resolution and chaired numerous professional seminars.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & LEADERSHIP

  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

  • International Business Law Consortium – Member

  • American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section – Member

  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Dispute Resolution Committee – Member

  • Washington State Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section – Former Chair

  • Service on Washington State Bar Association and ABA committees related to ADR and business law

AREAS OF FOCUS

Dispute Resolution

  • Commercial and business disputes

  • Real estate and leasing transactions and conflicts

  • Intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets)

  • Technology licensing and software agreements

  • Web-based contracts and e-commerce disputes

  • International business transactions

  • Computer system installations and IT projects

  • Banking and financial services

  • Licensing, Franchises, and Business Opportunities

  • Securities arbitration

  • Domain name disputes

Organizational Facilitation

  • Partnership formation and dissolution

  • Organizational change management

  • Internal conflict resolution

  • Leadership and stakeholder communication facilitation

REMOTE HEARINGS

Mel is comfortable conducting remote hearings and online dispute resolution. He has resolved over 180 ODR arbitrations addressing copyright infringement and illegal download of entertainment media and has conducted many remote and hybrid-remote arbitration hearings and mediation sessions.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

 Mel is an avid skier and cyclist, and a fan of good wine and dark chocolate. He has skied on five continents and heliskied in four countries. Mel has ridden multi-day fundraising rides for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the American Lung Association, including climbing 29,035 feet (the height of Mt. Everest) over 10 days of riding.