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Lowell Haky, Esq.

Case Manager: Joanna Barron

Fee Schedule

Profile

MEDIATOR – ARBITRATOR

Lowell Haky, Esq. is a skilled mediator with extensive experience in the financial services industry (customer claims, member disputes, employment cases, broker recruiting and trust & estate matters). He has also mediated hundreds of real estate matters (landlord/tenant, construction defect, ownership disputes) and employment cases (discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination). Mr. Haky is adept at building strong relationships with counsel and parties, which is key to his effectiveness as a mediator.

  • Mediation Style: Haky utilizes an evaluative approach to help parties assess liability and estimate potential damages, while considering the subjective value of early case resolution.
  • Distinctive Insights: Haky has worked with top-tier plaintiff and defense-side firms on case evaluation and settlement strategy. He also has working knowledge of the approach corporations use to evaluate litigation risks and assign settlement value.
  • High-Stakes Litigation: Haky has litigated dozens of high-stakes cases on both the plaintiff and defense sides. He has defended multibillion-dollar claims and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in affirmative recovery cases.
  • Experience: Haky is a seasoned Mediator, Temporary Judge, and Settlement Conference Officer. He has conducted hundreds of mediations and settlement conferences in the San Francisco and Contra Costa Superior Courts, and for the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

MEDIATION EXPERIENCE

  • ADR SERVICES, INC.
    Mediator, Arbitrator 2024-Present
    Conducts mediations in the areas of financial services, employment, trusts and estates and real estate.
  • SAN FRANCISCO SUPERIOR COURT
    Temporary Judge, Settlement Conference Officer 2018-Present
    Conducts mandatory settlement conferences in San Francisco Superior Court as a Temporary Judge and Settlement Conference Officer.
  • CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, CONGRESS OF NEUTRALS
    Mediator, Discovery Facilitator 2018-2021
    Conducted mediations and facilitated discovery dispute resolution in Contra Costa County Superior Court cases.
  • CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING
    Mediator 2018-2022
    Mediated employment disputes for the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC., San Francisco, CA
Managing Director – Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement 2000-2024
Managed a team of in-house and outside counsel responsible for resolving complex, high-stakes disputes.

  • Lead counsel representing Schwab in complex litigation and regulatory cases, including securities, employment and trusts and estate matters.
  • Managed Schwab’s Affirmative Recovery Practice Group, pursuing investment loss-recovery for Schwab Mutual Funds and ETFs. Hundreds of millions of dollars recovered.
  • Managed Schwab’s Employee Transition Practice Group, focusing on broker recruitment, customer solicitation, and theft of trade secrets and intellectual property.
  • Represented the firm and associated persons in hundreds of FINRA arbitration cases.

ZELLE & LARSON, LLP, San Francisco, CA
Litigation Associate 1995-2000

  • Represented broker-dealers, investment advisors, individual investors, and commercial finance companies in litigation, arbitration, and regulatory enforcement cases.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Frequent speaker at the Practicing Law Institute (PLI), Chief Litigation Counsel Forums, Securities Industry Conferences, PIABA, and Judicial Conferences on various topics including Negotiating Techniques, Mediation Tips, and Litigation Trends.

EDUCATION

  • J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA
  • B.S. in Business Administration & Finance, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Mr. Haky is an avid pickleball player, and enjoys skiing, diving and wake surfing.

Representative Cases

Financial Services/Securities

  • Mediated claim by customer alleging that independent Investment Advisor engaged in unsuitable trading and that custodial Broker Dealer failed to catch red flags of the IA’s activity.
  • Mediated claim by asset management company alleging securities fraud by publicly traded company relating to securities held in several of its investment portfolios.
  • Mediated customer’s claim that the Broker Dealer failed to obtain best execution of customer orders during a system outage.
  • Mediated case by plaintiff Broker Dealer against underwriters of asset-backed securities for securities fraud.
  • Mediated customer claim that certain risks associated with alternative investments were not disclosed and that declining investment performance was inaccurately reported on account statements.
  • Mediated case against corporate 401k plan alleging excessive fees for use of proprietary mutual funds as exclusive participant investment options.
  • Mediated case by credit card issuer against cardholder for breach of contract.

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Trusts and Estates

  • Mr. Haky is a member of the Trusts and Estates Mediation Panels of the San Francisco and Contra Costa County Superior Courts. He has litigated dozens of trust and estate claims over the past three decades and has served as a trustee for several complex trusts. Mr. Haky has first-hand knowledge of the intricacies and emotional elements of Trust and Estate disputes, and how to navigate them. He is also proficient in asset management and tax issues that are often important components of settlement.
  • Mediated three interrelated cases among beneficiaries and trustees of decedent TV producer’s successive trusts alleging breach of fiduciary duty, and improper sales of real property and distribution of proceeds.
  • Mediated claim against family-member trustee for alleged mismanagement of trust assets, self-dealing and improper distributions.
  • Mediated claim by trustee against independent investment advisor for allegedly unsuitable investment advice and resulting loss of trust assets.

Employment

  • Mr. Haky established and managed Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.’s Employee Transition Practice Group, focusing on brokers and other employees transitioning their employment and seeking to take clients and/or firm intellectual property with them.
  • Litigated hundreds of “raiding” cases involving claims against former employees for breach of contract and theft of trade secrets.
  • Mediated claim by co-founder of Silicon Valley technology company for breach of oral partnership agreement and wrongful termination. The firm brought counterclaims for theft of intellectual property.
  • Mediated claim by Broker Dealer against former registered representative alleging theft and unauthorized use of trade-secret customer information.
  • Mediated wrongful termination case brought by a doctor against successful San Francisco cosmetic surgery practice for pregnancy discrimination and breach of contract.
  • Mediated claim by registered nurse against East Bay medical facility for wrongful termination.

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Real Estate

  • Mediated claim by apartment building owner against real estate broker relating to failed purchase/sale transaction due to onsite manager’s refusal to vacate their unit upon sale.
  • Mediated lease claim by historic San Francisco Flower Mart restaurant relating to redevelopment of the complex and placement of alternative restaurant location.
  • Mediated numerous habitability claims including mold, construction noise, vermin, etc., under Rent Stabilization Ordinances.
  • Mediated claim by paraplegic plaintiff of constructive eviction claiming that building elevator was out of service over 30 times in a two-year period, requiring plaintiff to crawl up to his 5th floor apartment.
  • Mediated dozens of unlawful detainer cases in San Francisco Superior Court as a Settlement Conference Judge.
  • Mediated real estate ownership dispute among family members of long-held commercial properties in San Francisco.
  • Mediated case brought by the City of San Francisco against the developer of the Yoshi’s San Francisco development in the Filmore Historic District for repayment of personal loan guarantees after default.
  • Mediated claim by contractor against San Francisco building owner for failure to pay for work performed. Building owner counterclaimed for failure to comply with building plans and property damage.
  • Mediated claim by homeowners’ association against a construction company for construction defects in earthquake retrofit project.

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Landlord/Tenant

  • Mediated multi-tenant habitability claims alleging rat infestation and mold in San Francisco apartment building.
  • Mediated habitability and constructive eviction claim related to mold which the landlord alleged was caused by tenant’s indoor cannabis cultivation.
  • Mediated constructive eviction claim by paraplegic plaintiff asserting that building elevator was out of service over 30 times in a two-year period, requiring plaintiff to crawl up to his 5th floor apartment.
  • Mediated numerous cases alleging claims under the San Francisco Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
  • Mediated dozens of unlawful detainer cases in San Francisco Superior Court as a Settlement Conference Judge.

    Construction Defect

    • Mediated claim by property owner against contractor for construction defect and failing to maintain Worker’s Compensation coverage, causing his license to lapse and resulting in a statutory disgorgement claim.
    • Mediated claim by contractor against building owner for failure to pay for remodel work performed under change orders
    • Mediated claim by homeowner again contractor for defective construction of foundation, and counterclaim for failure to pay for work performed.
    • Mediated claim by contractor against San Francisco building owner for failure to pay for work performed. Building owner counterclaimed for failure to comply with building plans and property damage.
    • Mediated claim by homeowners’ association against a construction company for construction defects in earthquake retrofit project.

      Testimonials

      “I found Lowell to be an excellent mediator. He was well versed in the case background. His demeanor, presentation, and experience contributed to a productive mediation. I would use his services again.”

      “I endorse Mr. Haky for mediator services. In one of my trust and estate litigation cases Mr. Haky was instrumental as a mandatory settlement conference mediator in helping the parties reach a settlement after over three years of very contentious litigation. In addition to probing, prodding, and pushing a bit, Mr. Haky also provided the parties with some creative settlement options. The MSC was scheduled for four hours during an afternoon session; however, settlement was only reached because Mr. Haky stayed with us until settlement was reached at 9:30 p.m. I can and do highly recommend Mr. Haky for mediator services.”

      “Lowell was an excellent mediator, and handled the case both before and at the session with calmness and consummate, empathic focus to help the parties resolve their dispute. I look forward to working again with him in the future.”

      “Lowell possesses the tools of an exceptional mediator combined with deep substantive legal knowledge, especially in financial cases. Lowell’s demeanor fosters trust and open communications, affording parties the best chance for resolving contentious disputes. Highly recommended.”

      “Mr. Haky brings compassion and dedication to mediations.  He cares about the litigants and works to achieve a resolution that’s in everyone’s’ best interests.  Mr. Haky has an affable personality and is approachable – a breath of fresh air to clients who may be intimidated by the mediation process.  ”

      “A practical-minded mediator who helped us achieve a creative and workable settlement. He listened to my client’s concerns and provided valuable guidance throughout the process. Most importantly, he got the case settled and we avoided an impending trial.”

      “Mr. Haky worked tirelessly to resolve our case, including conducting multiple pre-mediation sessions and working into the evening. I was impressed with his tenacity and skill.”

      “Very patient and persistent with difficult personalities.  Two thumbs up!”

       

      Fee Schedule