Core Practice Areas
6 VerticalsAbout & Mediation Philosophy
Neutral ProfileAs an Arbitrator, Janice Sperow exemplifies a balance of important traits: authoritative and teachable; intuitive and reliable; attentive and open-minded. Ms. Sperow brings a wealth of experience, having served as the Arbitrator in 450+ cases, and more than 1,000+ alternative dispute resolution cases. Additionally, Janice’s experience as counsel laid the framework for her career as an Arbitrator. Ms. Sperow received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, graduating magna cum laude with high honors, and received her Juris Doctorate from the University of California, San Francisco, Hastings College of the Law, graduating summa cum laude and second out of over 400 students. After her Second Circuit clerkship, Ms. Sperow joined Morrison & Foerster, a 1000+ attorney international law firm headquartered in San Francisco where she specialized in complex commercial litigation in a variety of areas, on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, including: commercial matters, employment, discrimination, intellectual property, energy, trade secret, contract, fraud, banking, aviation, healthcare, and alternative dispute resolution. Ms. Sperow also employed Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques on behalf of her clients, handling dozens of arbitrations, mediations, and neutral case resolutions. She served as an arbitrator and a chief arbitrator for the Bar Association of San Francisco from 1989 to 1995 and as arbitrator and arbitration panel chair for FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority from 1999 to the present (formerly NASD). After leaving the firm, Ms. Sperow was appointed by Mayor Willie Brown in 1997 to serve as Hearing Officer for municipal railway public transportation disputes. Her appointment was accepted by both labor and management. Thereafter, Ms. Sperow served as Managing Partner and Head of Litigation and ADR for Ruiz & Sperow, a boutique women-owned, minority-owned law firm, assisting public and private employers in all matters. Simultaneously, Ms. Sperow taught at University of San Diego Law School. She retired from USD in August 2017 and decided to turn her part-time service as a neutral since 1989 into a full-time passion. Ms. Sperow is currently an arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Credentials & Institutional Standing
Primary VerificationsLicense
Education
University of California, Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law San Francisco)
JD · Law
Class of 1986
University of California, Berkeley
BA
Work History
5 PositionsArbitrator and Mediator
American Arbitration Association (AAA)
2017 – Present
Panels: Commercial, Large complex case, Employment, Technology, Healthcare, IP, Consumer, Class action, Mass Claims.
Hearing Officer
Municipal Railway (City of San Francisco)
1997 – Present
Appointed by Mayor Willie Brown for public transportation disputes.
Adjunct Professor
University of San Diego Law School
2017
Taught while maintaining practice.
Managing Partner and Head of Litigation and ADR
Ruiz & Sperow
Boutique women-owned, minority-owned law firm.
Attorney
Morrison & Foerster
Specialized in complex commercial litigation, employment, discrimination, intellectual property, etc.
Honors & Recognition
2 HonorsFellow
Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals
Fellow
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Global and North America sections
Fees & Availability
Rate ScheduleStandard rates. Contact for custom arrangements.
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