Leslie Steven Marks, Esq.
Arbitrator, Mediator, Referee, Special Master, Umpire
Les Marks is a full-time neutral with ARC. After 40 years of diverse litigation practice that included managing the litigation department of his former mid-size and highly respected law firm, Mr. Marks “brings to the table” vast experience, unwavering integrity, and a relentless passion for resolving cases. Mr. Marks has served as participating counsel, arbitrator (single panelist and panel chair), mediator, and insurance umpire, in hundreds of cases involving, among other areas, small to multi-million dollar private and public construction disputes, real estate and business disputes, insurance related litigation, employment disputes and homeowner association (condominium) matters. His broad experience and people skills enable him to resolve even the most complex and contentious matters.
Practice Areas
- Construction
- Real Estate
- Business
- Insurance
- Employment
- Homeowner Association
Conflict Resolution Experience
Mr. Marks’ experience includes serving as counsel, arbitrator, mediator and umpire, on the following:
- Construction (Public and Private Works): Small to multi-million-dollar construction disputes involving single family homes, multi-unit condominiums, government buildings and utilities, and commercial and industrial properties. Claims include disputes relating to AIA and home improvement contracts, construction defect, mechanics liens, stop notices, prompt payment penalties, delay and disruption (critical path), surety bonds, bidding, change orders, extra work, design errors and false claims.
- Homeowner Association (HOA) Disputes: Homeowner vs. HOA disputes including claims for injunctive relief, mismanagement of association affairs, board negligence/breach of fiduciary duty, board failure to maintain and repair common areas, election disputes, HOA/vendor disputes and construction related disputes.
- Real Estate: Disputes between buyers, sellers and brokers involving the purchase/sale of residential, commercial, and industrial real estate. Claims of breach of rental and purchase agreements (including CAR) and for non-disclosure. Claims involving secured lending, collection, and foreclosure. Boundary/neighbor disputes, easements, and title insurance. Habitability claims and claims brought under the fair housing acts (FHAA and FEHA).
- Business/Commercial/Consumer: Business and commercial disputes (including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, director and officer, dissolution, and governance) involving corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Consumer claims including those brought under the Consumer Legal Remedies Act.
- Employment: Employment disputes including wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, discrimination and claims brought under the fair employment acts (FHAA and FEHA).
- Insurance/Umpire: Insurance disputes involving property loss, business interruption, first and third-party coverage, allocation of loss between carriers, primary-excess, and trigger issues/exhaustion of policy limits. Policies include construction, homeowner, professional errors and omissions, title, surety, auto and liability insurance.
- Homeowner Association (HOA): Claims between HOA and homeowner including breach of governing documents, board malfeasance, injunctive relief, and elections. HOA vendor and construction disputes.
Organizations & Achievements
- AAA National Roster of Arbitrators since 2002; Construction, Complex Litigation, Commercial and Consumer Panels
- Former arbitrator for the Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
- Former mediator for the Los Angeles County Superior Court ADR Program
- AV Rated Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell since 2000; named as a Superlawyer in Construction and/or Alternative Dispute Resolution from 2012-2016, 2018-2023
- Published numerous articles on construction and real estate in Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine
Education & Training
- J.D. (1980), Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA; Dean's Honor List
- B.A. in Political Science (1977), University of California, Los Angeles, CA; Summa Cum Laude; Phi Beta Kappa
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Testimonials From People We’ve Helped
Very professional place to mediate a legal matter. Many places to have a private conversation, comfortable surroundings
Linda L Mitchell
Honorable Mary Thornton House mediated over our impossible case. I never thought this could get resolved, as we were stuck on both sides for almost 4 years. Honorable Mary Thornton House listened to both sides and was able to communicate in a way that both sides understood. She was tenacious, diligent and had attention to details with the accounting and figures presented. We went back and forth into the night. But, she was able to calmly able to get a resolution on both sides. The honorable judge said that in ruling a case in court. You have an instant friend and a permanent enemy. In this case, I received a fair resolution. Grateful, that I did not have to go to court. Glad that our case got resolved. I highly recommend honorable Mary Thornton House