RESUME

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As a neutral with ADR Services, Inc. since 2014, Judge Solner brings his vast knowledge and experience of seventeen years on the bench both as a trial judge and, during his last two years on the bench, as a Settlement judge assigned to a dedicated MSC Court, successfully settling hundreds of cases. Often described as persuasive, insightful, knowledgeable and prepared, he is among the most highly regarded and effective neutrals with ADR Services, Inc.

Judge Solner has had an impressive 50-year career as both a litigator and judge with extensive legal experience in a wide range of matters. Beginning his legal career, he was appointed as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles where he excelled in the courtroom. For the next two decades he was a civil litigator handling plaintiff as well as defense representation.

Widely known for his ability to interject humor, when appropriate, to defuse tension, Judge Solner’s warm communication skills effectively lend themselves to establishing the rapport that expeditiously moves the parties to a successful, lasting resolution, either virtually or in person. With a deep sense of humanity and keen insight, he draws upon his natural abilities and wide-ranging unique life experiences including immersion in foreign cultures for years at a time. He lived in Paris, France as a young man and Mallorca in his teens.

Attorneys who have appeared both in his courtroom and in a mediation with him at ADR Services, Inc. have said that Judge Solner is “very knowledgeable about the law”, “legendary for his patience”, “the epitome of a great judge”, “understands cases crazy fast”, and “is forceful where he needs to be”. A former presiding judge has also described him as “an iron fist in a velvet glove”.

1997 – 2014
Judge of the Superior Court, Los Angeles
Unlimited Civil Independent Calendar Trial Court
Assistant Supervising Judge
Civil Trials
Settlement Judge
Three (3) years criminal trials at CCB

1988-1997
Sole Practitioner, Litigation Attorney
Law Offices of Michael C. Solner

1977-1988
Partner, Litigation Attorney
Thelen, Marrin, Johnson & Bridges (then the 6th largest California firm)

1972-1977
Assistant United States Attorney, Central District of California
Criminal Division – jury and non-jury trials, appeals, Grand Jury investigations,          acting Chief of Complaints

1975-1977
Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG), United States Air Force (Rank: Major)

• 2005   Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law
  Mediation: The Art of Facilitating Settlement
• 1971   Loyola Law School, Juris Doctor
• 1964   University of Southern California, Bachelor of Foreign Service

1964-1968   United States Air Force, Aerial Reconnaissance Missions 1965-66
Commissioned Officer and Viet Nam Combat Veteran

• Supreme Court of the United States
• United States Tax Court
• 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
• US District Courts for the Central, Eastern Districts of California
• American Bar Association
• International Bar Association

Judge Solner created and established a powerful and unique Invitational Program with the USC Price Bedrosian Center with then Dean Jack Knott for on-site visits and tours of the Mosk Courthouse to educate advanced degree students on the third branch of government.

Judge Solner spent many of his formative years abroad, attending local grammar schools. He lived in Paris, France, and the Island of Mallorca, and attended College Champittet in Lausanne, Switzerland.

As a result, Judge Solner became trilingual in English, French and Spanish, affording him a rare ability to appreciate and absorb numerous cultures, backgrounds and personalities. He is an avid skier, scuba diver, ultra-marathoner and competitive triathlete, speaking to his love of the outdoors.

Real Estate/Real Property

• Commercial & Residential Landlord/Tenant Disputes
• Construction Defects and Disputes
• Environmental Disputes
• HOA Disputes
• Sale Disclosure Disputes
• Construction Defects
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
• Valuation
• Partition
• Real Estate Sales Commission
• Quiet Title
• Inverse Condemnation
• Foreclosures
• Mold Infestation
• Property Boundary Disputes
• Eminent Domain
• Franchise Disputes
• Buy-Sell Agreements
• Environmental Contamination

Business & Commercial

• Business Disputes
• Non-Compete Clauses
• School District Disputes
• Construction Loans
• Guarantee and Forbearance Disputes
• Contract Interpretation
• Partnership Dissolution
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty
• Territory/Commissionable Sales & Accounting
• Fraud
• Commercial Lease
• Breach of Contract
• 17200 Cases
• Franchising Disputes
• Architecture & Construction Design
• Complex Commercial and Business Contracts
• High Profile Destination Shopping Mall Lease Disputes

Employment

• Retaliation
• Wrongful Termination
• Hostile Work Environment
• Workplace Discrimination, Harassment: Age, Sex, Race, Religion, Disability
• Wage and Hour
• FEHA

Personal Injury

• Catastrophic and Other Injuries
• Automobile
• Slip and Fall
• Public Transportation (Rail and Bus)
• Asbestos
• Product Liability

Entertainment

• Contract Disputes
• Privacy Rights; Defamation and Disparagement
• Breach of Contract among celebrities
• Disputed Movie Rights
• Licensing Agreements

Professional Malpractice

• Legal Malpractice
• Medical Malpractice

Insurance

• Insurance Coverage
• Professional Liability Coverage
• Good Faith/Fair Dealing
• UIM/UM Claims

General

• Email Fraud
• Data Leak
• Manufacturing & Design Defects
• Environmental Contamination
• Identity Misappropriation