Robert H. "Bob" Fairbank

After 37 years as a successful litigator and trial lawyer, Robert Fairbank established Fairbank ADR in 2014 as an Alternative Dispute Resolution entity that specializes in the mediation of multi-million dollar, complex civil matters, resulting in settlements of 7, 8 and 9 figure amounts. Bob has been recognized as a Star Individual Nationwide Mediator by Chambers USA for 2025. He was ranked in Band 1 in 2024 and 2023, Band 2 in 2022 and 2021, Band 3 in 2020, and noted as a Recognized Practitioner in 2019. Bob also is a member of the California Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. To date, Fairbank ADR has facilitated settlements of over $2.6 billion.

Bob’s essential approach to mediation is relentless persistence to achieve a settlement through merits-driven, in-depth analysis of the legal and practical dynamics unique to each case, aided by a full-time attorney and Assistant Mediator, Kimberly West. Bob has been praised by parties and counsel for his “extraordinary skills as a mediator” in “exercising outstanding professionalism, commitment, and patience necessary” to resolve the most difficult and protracted disputes in numerous practice areas and industries.

Bob obtained extensive and diverse experience in major civil litigation in his nearly 40-year litigation career. 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 (1977-1996). 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.

In addition to his mediation practice, Bob has been an adjunct professor at USC Gould School of Law since 2004, teaching a seminar on Corporate Fraud. He is also the co-author of California Practice Guide – Civil Trials and Evidence (The Rutter Group), the leading treatise on California civil trial practice.

Please see the "Additional Information" tab for a summary of Fairbank ADR's Major Mediation Practice Areas & Examples of Representative Settlements.