The expertise of a well-known negotiator of multibillion-dollar cases in the United States is being put to test now that he is part of the celebrated issue involving Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao. Days ago, this writer learned from reliable sources that former San Francisco Superior Court Judge Daniel Weinstein, named one of the Power Mediators of 2007, is currently in-charge of the mediation process that has been going on for about a week now. Weinstein works for JAMS, a well-known resolution expert whose know-how is to provide the best possible resolution to its clients’ disputes. Weinstein is considered as one of America’s preeminent mediators of complex civil disputes and a pioneer in the development of mediation. His expertise includes designing and resolving complex, multiparty, high-stakes cases. Some of the cases Weinstein successfully interceded were those of Enron, Qwest, Providian, Homestore and other major New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ firms. Also part of his successful r?sum? were disputes involving Apple Computer, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Motorola and Hewlett Packard and actions concerning price-fixing allegations against multinational oil and cosmetic industry companies and major financial institutions. In 1998, Weinstein was named US representative to the Bosnian Privatization Commission, overseeing the transfer of $15 billion of state-owned assets to citizen of Bosnia. Weinstein is a cum laude at the Harvard Law School in 1965 and a BA cum laude at the Stanford University in 1962. A Professor of Mediation Advocacy in Stanford University, Weinstein is said to be at the tail end of a lingering dispute between boxing’s celebrated promoters Top Rank Inc. and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP). “I especially enjoy taking on large, difficult and complex cases and designing a resolution process tailored specifically to that dispute, then sticking with it tirelessly until it settles.” Weinstein was quoted as saying in his profile with JAMS. Weinstein, who successfully led settlements worth a total of about $1 billion last year, may not be having the time of his life in the latest dispute involving the promotional rights to Pacquiao. Despite his tremendous achievements, Weinstein reportedly is facing numerous snags in convincing executives of both outfits to meet halfway and avoid an insufferable litigation. Mediation in the United States, one of two most common forms of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), is now one of the most effective options to resolve court cases. In this process, the parties participate voluntarily and the mediator has no authority to make a decision. Only the parties have the decision-making power regarding their dispute. Several days ago, the court handling the Pacquiao issue imposed a gag order on both warring entities while mediation is ongoing. GBP and Top Rank have been locking horns for several months, as they were both able to convince Pacquiao to sign similar promotional deals. First, Pacquiao entered into a seven-fight deal last September with fellow boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya, who owns GBP. After his three-round conquest of Erik Morales late last year, Pacquiao signed another pact with Top Rank owned by veteran promoter Bob Arum.
