About

In addition to her judicial clerkships at the Central District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, complex litigation work, and extensive ADR experiences, Jill Sperber’s business and legal acumen coupled with her tenacity and thoughtfulness ­­­­­­­have established her in the alternative dispute resolution arena.

Ms. Sperber quickly comprehends and analyzes complex legal issues and intricate business considerations.  She poses deliberative and challenging questions to both sides on all aspects of a dispute in her search for an equitable resolution.   Ms. Sperber has a unique talent for connecting with individuals, entities, and counsel on matters of all complexity.  Her focus and creativity, combined with her understanding of the ADR process, enable her to engage the parties in the ADR process and test the opportunities for resolution.

Ms. Sperber is significantly involved in both pre and post ADR session efforts, including designing the protocols and structure for the process.  Not only does she carefully review the materials in preparation for each ADR session, she frequently works with the parties, and as appropriate, their insurers, in advance on critical issues to ensure that their in-person ADR session will be conducted as efficiently and effectively as possible.  Where matters do not resolve during the scheduled ADR session, Ms. Sperber tenaciously conducts ADR follow-up work, continuing the mediation process with telephonic caucus sessions, and when appropriate, working with the parties in connection with mediator recommendations.

Ms. Sperber conducts ADR services with provider Judicate West.

Background

Before launching her alternative dispute resolution practice, Ms. Sperber had practiced exclusively for the last several years as a neutral in the Irell & Manella Alternative Dispute Resolution Center headed by former U.S. District Court Judge Layn R. Phillips.  During that time, she served as mediator, arbitrator, co-mediator, and liaison to arbitration panels.  Her alternative dispute resolution efforts have included anti-trust, class action, derivative, employment, multi-district litigation, intellectual property, insurance coverage, securities, subprime lending, and real estate disputes.   Ms. Sperber has helped parties reach equitable resolutions, overseeing settlements which total in the billions.

Prior to committing to a full-time ADR docket, for nearly ten years, Ms. Sperber litigated high stakes, complex business matters, including intellectual property, contract, real estate, employment, securities, regulatory, and white collar matters, at Irell & Manella and at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (NY).  She also has worked as settlement counsel.

Ms. Sperber served as a law clerk to the Hon. Gary L. Taylor (Ret.) of the Central District of California, and the Hon. Ferdinand F. Fernandez of the Ninth Circuit, as well as an intern to the Hon. Leonard B. Sand of the Southern District of New York.

Pro Bono & Service

Throughout her career, Ms. Sperber has demonstrated a strong commitment to pro bono service.  For example, she has served as an advocate on behalf of individuals involved in housing and business disputes.  She, along with her colleagues at Irell & Manella, spearheaded a federal civil rights action in connection with a City’s mistreatment of disabled homeless persons.  For this work, Ms. Sperber was awarded the 2010 Social Justice Award from the ACLU Foundation of Southern California.  In another case, Ms. Sperber effectively advocated for the rights of persons displaced as a result of a freeway expansion project that resulted in a loss of low-income housing.

Since 2005, she has been an active member of the Sonenshine Pro Bono Opportunities Committee, an annual Orange County event that provides a forum for local pro bono organizations to introduce themselves to new members of the legal community.  Ms. Sperber has served on the Public Law Center Volunteers for Social Justice Dinner Committee, co-chairing its Auction Committee in 2009.  She has also coached local high schools as part of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Mock Trial Team.

Ms. Sperber served the local community as a former founding board member and executive steering committee member of the project-based charter school Community Roots Academy, and as a member of the Leave Only Footprints committee of Morasha Day School, which provided an annual environmental event for the Orange County area that was geared towards children and families.

While practicing at the New York offices of Cleary Gottlieb, Ms. Sperber was selected to be an extern to MFY Legal Services, Inc., where she litigated cases on behalf of indigent New Yorkers.  She also had the privilege to serve as the co-coordinator for World Trade Center Litigation before the Victim’s Compensation Fund.  During her tenure at Cleary Gottlieb, Ms. Sperber litigated numerous pro bono matters, including family court and immigration cases.  She also counseled a start-up company on corporate matters.  In addition, Ms. Sperber mentored high school students at Washington Irving High School.

Education

Ms. Sperber earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.  She was the Senior Articles Editor for the Columbia Business Law Review.  Ms. Sperber earned her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bar & Court Admissions

Ms. Sperber is admitted to the Bars of California, New Jersey, and New York, as well as the following Courts: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; U.S. District Court, Central District of California; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.