Top 50 Neutrals

Name: Louise LaMothe

Affiliation: Independent, American Arbitration Association

Rate: $395 per hour in Santa Barbara, $500 per hour outside Santa Barbara

Location: Santa Barbara

Areas: Mediation and arbitration of employment, entertainment, intellectual property and construction disputes

Cases: In February, LaMothe arbitrated an employment dispute involving a national retailer in which an employee claimed she was forced to quite due to same-sex sexual harassment by a woman she claimed was her supervisor. LaMothe found in favor of the retailer for an undisclosed amount. Earlier this year, LaMothe was appointed sole arbitrator in a securities class action brought by account holders seeking refunds from an investment advisor who allegedly calculated his fees illegally. That case is still pending. In January, she mediated a case pitting a 99 Cents Only store against its landlord over when the property became inhabitable. LaMothe determined the date the store should start paying rent to the landlord and awarded a settlement for an undisclosed dollar amount.

Background: Partner, Riordan & McKinzie

Quote: “She was able to cut through the Gordian knot and get to the heart of the issue.” Dan Stormer; Hadsell & Stormer

Originally published in the Top 50 Neutrals section of the Daily Journal Extra, December 6, 2004.