Robert Fairbank

Robert H. Fairbank established Fairbank ADR in 2014 as an Alternative Dispute Resolution entity that specializes in the mediation of multi-million dollar, complex civil matters. Fairbank ADR is the successor to Fairbank & Vincent, which Bob co-founded in 1996 after beginning his career as an associate and partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher (1977-96). Bob is one of the few mediators in the US who employs a full-time attorney, Kimberly West, an O'Melveny & Myers alumna, to assist him in mediation and undertake an in-depth analysis of the merits and unique factors that drive each case.

Bob has been recognized as a Band 1 Nationwide Mediator by Chambers USA for 2023 and 2024. He was ranked in Band 2 in 2022 and 2021, Band 3 in 2020, and noted as a Recognized Practitioner in 2019.

Bob obtained extensive and diverse experience in major civil litigation over the past 40 years. From 2002 to 2009, Bob served as an independent consultant for the Regents of the University of California in the Enron, Worldcom, AOL Time Warner, and Dynegy federal securities cases, as part of a team co-headed by the Hon. J. Lawrence Irving. In addition to this independent role, Bob successfully represented prominent corporate and individual (Director and Officer) defendants in a variety of civil disputes, and served as co-counsel for plaintiffs in major class actions.

Bob also has developed sophisticated knowledge of the leading civil and criminal corporate fraud cases, government investigations, and regulatory developments as an adjunct professor at the USC Gould School of Law (2004-present) and the Stanford Law and Business Schools (2007).

• J.D., New York University (1977)
• M.L.S., U.C. Berkeley (1973)
• A.B., Stanford (1972)

Teaching

• Adjunct Professor of Law, USC Gould School of Law (2004-Present)
• Stanford Law and Business Schools (Joint Seminar, 2007)

LEADERSHIP

• Board of Directors, Ninth Circuit Historical Society (2004-Present)
• Co-Chair, Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference Lawyer Reps (2001-2002)
• Chair, Civil Trials Subcommittee, Judicial Council (1990-1992)
• President, Association of Business Trial Lawyers (1989-1990)

RECOGNITIONS

• Selected as One of the Leading Mediators Nationwide in the USA, Chambers and Partners (2019-2023)
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2013-Present)
• Super Lawyer (2005-Present)
• Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine/Los Angeles Magazine
• Selected to Best Lawyers in America (2016-Present)
• Designated a “Go-To Lawyer” for litigation by a Fortune 500 Company, ALM's Corporate Counsel Magazine (2007)
• Law Who’s Who
• Los Angeles Business Journal (1995)

Please contact Fairbank ADR directly at (213) 891-9010 for scheduling inquiries.