John Derrick, Esq.
John Derrick, Esq.
Mediator/Arbitrator
John Derrick has a background in law and business. A dual national who came to the US from
the UK over 30 years ago, he is naturally skilled at helping people from all sorts of backgrounds
resolve a wide variety of disputes that previously proved intractable.
Mr. Derrick is by character diplomatic and has a calm, civil demeanor. He can see issues from
different perspectives. He is empathetic and can establish rapport with a wide range of people.
He is both patient and persistent. He listens. But, when necessary, he can tell people things
they may not want to hear.
Mr. Derrick’s ADR practice draws in part on his experience over 20 years as an accomplished
appellate lawyer. Before entering the legal profession, he co-founded, operated, and eventually
sold a specialized information publishing business. He has degrees from two of the world’s top
five universities.
PRACTICE AREAS
Business/commercial/contract, partnership disputes, real estate, employment, personal injury, other torts.Conflict Resolution Experience
John Derrick’s journey into mediation began in the appellate system in 2008 when he went on the Court of Appeal mediation panel in Los Angeles, on which he continues to serve. Today, he is a full-time mediator and arbitrator handling cases at all stages of the litigation timeline throughout Southern California and beyond.EDUCATION & TRAINING
- J.D., U.C. Berkeley School of Law.
- B.A., University of Oxford (UK) (First Class Honours).
- Pepperdine/Straus Institute-trained in mediation; AAA/ABA-trained in arbitration.
Organizations & Achievements
- Panel member, American Arbitration Association (Commercial and Consumer national rosters).
- Mediation panel, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles).
- Mediation panel, Second District Court of Appeal (Los Angeles).
- Settlement Master, Santa Barbara Superior Court.
- Former Chair, California State Bar’s Standing Committee on Appellate Courts.
- Certified Appellate Specialist, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization.
- Litigated over 200 appeals and writs, many resulting in published decisions, and consulted in countless others.
- Former Editor-in-Chief, California Litigation.
- Co-Chair, ADR Section of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association.
- Former member, Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association.
- Member, ADR Sections of the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles Bar Associations.
Mr. Derrick is available throughout California, nationally, and internationally.
