Shawn Aiken

Shawn Aiken is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) and has ranked among Super Lawyers' Arizona "Top 50" lawyers (2009-2024). See www.aiken-thomason.com for details.

Shawn was selected by Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year for Mediation (Phoenix) for both 2012 and 2015 and Arbitration (Phoenix) for 2019 and 2021.

His practice emphasized complex business litigation involving contracts, corporate governance, business torts, intellectual property and unfair competition. Shawn has an extensive background, in advocacy and arbitration, in disputes concerning economic damages.

During more than 30 years of litigation and trial work, Shawn represented clients in partnership and closely held shareholder disputes; violations of non-competition covenants; mismanagement, fraud and breaches of fiduciary duty; RICO; interference with and inducing breach of contract; trade secrets; breach of contract; misrepresentation; and unfair competition cases.

Today, Mr. Aiken dedicates his practice to mediation and arbitration. He has managed over 500 arbitrations and conducted over 1000 mediations. He has acted as sole arbitrator in cases involving business and commercial claims ranging from $200,000 to $250 million, including those arising out of sales of businesses and failed mergers; internet licensing agreements; real estate disputes, including appraisal and valuation of real property and commercial lease interests; partnership, shareholder, corporate, and accounting firm disputes; buy-sell, licensing, real estate lease, real estate purchase, and product royalty agreements; medical services agreements; lender/borrower disputes; trade secret, unfair competition, patent, and copyright infringement; employment termination, trade secret, fraud, negligence, covenants not to compete/restrictive covenants, breach of contract, overdue commissions, breach of fiduciary duty, and misrepresentation claims.

COURT ADMISSIONS:

• Arizona, 1983
• U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, 1983
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1983
• Supreme Court of the United States, 2010

EDUCATION:

• Arizona State University, J.D., 1983
• St. Olaf College, B.A. cum laude, 1980

ADR TRAINING:

AAA Fundamentals of Effective Mediation Advocacy, 2010; Guerilla Mediation: Getting Agreements in the Real World (Arizona State Bar), 2009; Mediating Complex Multi-Party Disputes (Arizona State Bar), 2009; AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration (ACE004), 2007; AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics (ACE005), 2006; Attended AAA Neutrals Conference, Palm Springs, 3/05; ACE004 - Practical Tips for Dealing with Delay Tactics of Parties and Advocates, Palm Springs, 3/05; ACE001 - Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards, Palm Springs, 3/05; ACE003 - Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure, 5/04; AAA Commercial Arbitrator II Training, Phoenix, 1/02; AAA Arbitrator Update 2001; AAA Commercial Arbitrator Training, Phoenix, 1/99; Maricopa County Superior Court Mediation and Settlement Training, 1/98; AAA Introductory Arbitrator Training, Phoenix, 6/95.

• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators
• Fellow, American College of Civil Trial Mediators
• American Bar Association: Sections on Litigation and Intellectual Property
• State Bar of Arizona: Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Trial Practice Section; Fee Arbitration Panel; Model Jury Instruction Committee (RAJI 3d)
• Federal Bar Association
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• American Arbitration Association: International Arbitration Panel; National Commercial Panel of Neutrals; National Sports Panel; Large, Complex Case Panel; Arizona Advisory Council
• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals: Charter Member
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona: Approved Compensated Mediator 
• United States Supreme Court Bar
• Horace Rumpole Inn of Court: Former Master, counselor, past president

Arbitration Rate: $795 per hour; Mediation Rate: $795 per hour