Les Schiefelbein

CEO & Founder
Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution

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About Les

Les is a leading arbitrator and mediator serving in domestic and international cases in the resolution of complex multi-million dollar commercial and government disputes.

Les is a founding member and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center. He was previously Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company and a US Air Force Judge Advocate Reserve (Colonel), serving clients on US and international aerospace, national security, technology transactions and arbitration and mediation matters.

Full bio

Areas of Expertise

Les Schiefelbein is a seasoned arbitrator, mediator, and a trusted advisor to the world’s largest corporations and law firms in commercial and government disputes in the fields of aerospace, aviation, technology, national security, and commercial contracts.

Aerospace

Aviation

Technology

National Security

Commercial Contracts

Professional Affiliations and Organizations

Bar Admissions

  • State Bar of California
  • District of Columbia Bar
  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States Court of Federal Claims
  • US District Court, Central District of California

Education

  • Arizona State University, Bachelor of Science
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Juris Doctor
  • George Washington University Law School (LL.M in Government Contract Law)
  • Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Advanced Executive Program)
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science, Business, International Relations and Political Economy (Executive Course)

Arbitration Panels

  • American Arbitration Association (AAA) Commercial Panel, Large Complex Cases
  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) International Panel
  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) Aerospace, Aviation and National Security Specialty Panel of Arbitrators
  • International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Court of Arbitration, Task Force on ADR and Arbitration
  • International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), Panel of Distinguished Neutrals and Technology Specialty Panel
  • International Panel of Arbitrators, London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
  • Asian International Arbitration Centre (formerly Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration)
  • Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
  • The Chinese Arbitration Association, Taipei
  • Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International
  • Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (Shenzhen Arbitration Commission)
  • Japan Commercial Arbitration Association

Professional Organizations and Qualifications

  • Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center, Founding Member and Chair of the Board of Directors
  • Global Technology Dispute Resolution Council (CEO)
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
  • United States Council for International Business, (USCIB), ICC International Court of Arbitration, Arbitration and ADR Committee
  • American Bar Association, Disputes Resolution and Litigation Sections
  • International Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, Chairman Research & Development Section
  • International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)
  • Accredited Mediator, Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and AAA/ICDR
  • ITECHLAW
  • Association of Corporate Counsel
  • California International Arbitration Council, Board of Directors
  • Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge, USA Subcommittee Member
  • College of Commerical Arbitrators, Fellow
  • New York International Arbitration Center
  • Boston International Arbitration Council
  • Dutch Arbitration Association
  • California Arbitration, Founding Member
  • Society of Satellite Professionals International
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, San Jose Silicon Valley Ballet
  • Founding Member, Los Gatos National Junior Basketball
  • Society for American Baseball Research

Awards and Recognition

  • Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center List of Leading Arbitrators and Mediators in the Technology Sector- 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015.
  • First attorney honored with the Lockheed Martin Career Excellence Award.
  • Reginald C. Harmon Award as the Outstanding Air Force Reserve Legal Officer.
  • Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. Les and Linda Schiefelbein established this Program to create an annual Global Dispute Resolution Conference and also provide scholarships for law students to gain knowledge, experience and necessary professional contacts to prepare them for careers in the global dispute resolution.

Publications

Les Schiefelbein writes frequently on the topics of international arbitration, government contracts and commercial issues.

Speaking Engagements

Les has spoken about commercial and government arbitration topics with numerous organizations around the globe.

  • ICC/YAFF. “Flying into the Future with Aerospace & Aviation Arbitration.” Washington DC, April 2024
  • Stanford International Arbitration Association. “Interim Measures in Institutional Arbitration v. Ad Hoc.” Palo Alto, March 2024
  • Global Arbitration Review. “GAR Live: Technology Disputes.” San Francisco, March 2024
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “What is Global Dispute Resolution?” Phoenix, January 2024
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference.” Phoenix, January 2024
  • Miami International Arbitration Society. “Navigating Aviation & Aerospace Disputes.” Miami, November 2023
  • California Lawyers Association. “Look Up! Drones, Satellites, and ADR.” Webinar, October 2023
  • Foley Hoag. “The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement: What is it and what does it mean for States and Private Actors?” Webinar, June 2023
  • California Arbitration. “What is your Dispute Clause Strategy?” Webinar, June 2023
  • ADREUROPE. “XVI Dublin Forum on International Arbitration and ADR.” Webinar, June 2023
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Phoenix-Suwon: Sister Cities ADR Speaker Series.” Webinar, March 2023
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “The Space Race, Tic-Tac-Toe, Arbitration, Mediation, Dispute Boards.” Phoenix, February 2023
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference.” Phoenix, January 2023
  • FOTA22, “Future of Technology in Arbitration 2022.” London, September 2022
  • SVAMC, “Africa Technology and Arbitration Summit.” Webinar, July 2022
  • California International Arbitration Week, “The Pacific Shift: Has International Arbitration’s Center of Gravity Moved?” Webinar, March 2022
  • ADR Study Group, “Better Than a Google Search: Untold Admissions in Arbitrator Selection–Qualitative Judgment, AI and Predictive Analysis.” Webinar, February 2022
  • California International Arbitration Council, “Coffee with California Series.” Webinar, February 2022
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference.” Phoenix, January 2022
  • Miami International Arbitration Society, “The Secret Sauce: What Conditions Should Exist for International Arbitration to Thrive in an Emerging Technology Hub.” Miami, December 2021
  • Paris Arbitration Week, “Arbitration and Trade Secrets.” Webinar, September 2021
  • 10th Annual Atlanta International Society Conference, ” Space Law Disputes.” Webinar, September 2021
  • JAMS-Loyola Law School, “How to Select the Right Arbitrator: Tips From the Experts.” Webinar, August 2021
  • Fox Williams London, “Arbitrating IP Disputes: How to Anticipate and Manage Them.” Webinar, June 2021
  • ITechLaw, “Disputes in Space: Mediate and Arbitrate,” Webinar, May 2021
  • Musick Peeler, “Views From the Frontline: Hot Topics in International Arbitration for 2021.” Webinar, March 2021
  • SVAMC, “Uses of Distributed Ledger Technologies/Blockchain in Various Industries.” Webinar, March 2021
  • SVAMC and Debevoise & Plimpton, “What Does a Mediator Add That the Parties Can’t Do Themselves?” Webinar, March 2021
  • Boston Bar Association, “BBA Virtual Event: Speed Networking with International Law Attorneys.” Webinar, February 2021
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference.” Webinar, January 2021
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Commencement Remarks for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Convocation.” Livestream, December 2020
  • SVAMC & Orrick, “Data, Privacy and Cyber Security in International Arbitration.” Webinar, November 2020
  • Paris Arbitration Week. “Experts in Technology Arbitration- Best Common Law and Civil Law Practices.” Webinar, July 2020
  • SVAMC/Foley & Hoag, “Ensuring Efficiency in Complex Technology Arbitrations.” Webinar, July 2020
  • AAA/ICDR. “Dealing with Crises: Resolving Aviation, Aerospace and Defense Issues through Mediation.” Webinar, May 2020
  • Atlanta International Arbitration Society. “Space, the New Frontier.” Webinar, April 2020
  • American Bar Association. “13th Annual Arbitration Institute.” Phoenix, March 2020
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference.” Phoenix, January 2020
  • SVAMC. “Drinks & Data-Practical Tips for Navigating Cybersecurity and Data Protection in International Arbitration.” San Francisco, January 2020
  • Miami International Tech/IP Arbitration Seminar. “Arbitrating Tech & IP Cases: Latin American and European Approaches.” Miami, November 2019
  • Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center and Debevoise & Plimpton. “Brain Teasers in International IP Arbitration.” New York, November 2019
  • Miami International Tech/IP Arbitration Seminar. “Arbitrating Tech & IP Cases: Latin American and European Approaches.” Miami, November 2019
  • Korean Commercial Arbitration Board INTERNATIONAL and Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation. “Arbitration: A Better Way to Resolve Intellectual Property and Technology Disputes?” Seoul, October 2019
  • KCAB Next & HK45 Seminar and HKIAC Seminar. “Technical Innovation in International Arbitration: How is New Technology Changing Arbitration.” Seoul, September 2019
  • The 8th Asia Pacific ADR Conference. “Procedural and Practice Reforms: Is There a Better Way to Improve Our Current Practice?” Seoul, September 2019
  •  KCAB INTERNATIONAL. “The Seoul Academy for International Arbitration.” Seoul, September 2019
  • Dispute Resolution Students Association, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Discussions on Space in Alternative Dispute Resolution.” Phoenix, September 2019
  • Bucharest Arbitration Day, Keynote Speaker. “Space: The New Frontier in Technology Arbitration.” Bucharest, June 2019
  • Paris Arbitration Week. “Cybersecurity from Silicon Valley to Paris: Challenges and Tips for Commercial and Technical Disputes.” Paris, April 2019
  • AAA/ICDR. “Arbitrating Aerospace, Aviation, and National Security Disputes.” London, March 2019
  • SVAMC. “An Insider’s Perspective on Resolving Technology Disputes.” Washington DC, February 2019
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Schiefelbein Global Dispute Resolution Conference.” Phoenix, January 2019
  • Seoul Academy for International Arbitration, Faculty Member. “Improving Advocacy Skill in Arbitration.” Seoul, November 2018
  • Korean Commercial Arbitration Board International. “The 7th Asia Pacific ADR Conference: Innovating the Future of Dispute Resolution.” Seoul, November 2018
  • California Lawyers Association. “The Devil’s in the Details: A Litigator’s Guide to Interpreting & Understanding the Subtleties of a Dispute Resolution Clause.” Webinar, October 2018
  • SVAMC/ICC. “ADR Choices for Silicon Valley Companies in International Arbitration.” Palo Alto, May 2018
  • SVAMC/KAB Advocates. “Overview of the SVAMC and its Current Initiatives in Technology Arbitration.” Paris, April 2018
  • AAA/ICDR. “The Implications of Technology-Intensive Aerospace, Aviation and National Security Disputes.” Washington D.C., April 2018
  • University of California, Berkeley School of Law. “ADR in Tech- What the GC and Wall Street Know or Should Know.” Berkeley, March 2018
  • European Aerospace and Defence Legal Counsel Forum. “Transformation by Technology and Digital World: Internet of Things.” Toulouse, March 2018
  • American Arbitration Association. “I Want to Be the Chair: Scenarios on AAA Tribunal Relations.” San Francisco, November 2017
  • Seoul Academy for International Arbitration, Faculty Member. “New Features in International Arbitration Rules: Whether These Changes Have Made International Arbitration More Effective?” Seoul, November 2017
  • Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration. “International Arbitration Issues Related to Disputes in the Technology Sector.” Shenzhen, November 2017
  • Hong Kong International Arbitration Association. “Resolving Cross-Border IP and Technology Disputes Through ADR: U.S. and Hong Kong Perspectives.” Hong Kong, November 2017
  • Stanford Law School. “The Evolving Use of International Arbitration and Mediation for Disputes in the Technology Sector.” Palo Alto, November 2017
  • Lodestar Dispute Resolution Center at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. “Phoenix to Paris and Other Legal Destinations.” Phoenix, October 2017
  • American Arbitration Association, Webinar Panelist. “Aviation, Aerospace and National Security.” San Francisco, October 2017
  • American Bar Association Annual Spring Conference. “Third Party Funding in ADR – What You Need to Know.” San Francisco, April 2017
  • Harvard Law School. “Tech Disputes- Litigation or Arbitration- A Changing View From Silicon Valley.” Cambridge, October 2016
  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution. “Smarter, Faster, Cheaper Technology Dispute Resolution Conference: An Open Forum with Silicon Valley.” San Francisco, September 2016
  • Santa Clara University School of Law, Center for Global Law & Policy. “Setting Up a Business Overseas to Preclude Government Contract Disputes.” Santa Clara, April 2016
  • The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators North American Branch. “Resolving Disputes with Companies from Asia: What is the Best Approach?” San Francisco, January 2016
  • Gibbs Giden Law. “Managing International Disputes: The Corporate Counsel Perspective.” Los Angeles, November 2015
  • Keble College, Oxford University. “Dispute Avoidance and Management.” United Kingdom, September 2015
  • Association of Corporate Counsel. “Protecting Your Company’s Intellectual Property Outside the United States. What Role Can International Arbitration Play?” San Francisco, June 2015
  • American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution. “Tech Disputes – Litigation 1.0, Arbitration 2.0 Can You Handle The New Release?” Seattle, April 2015
  • State Bar of California, International Law Section-American Bar Association, International Law Section. “International Business.” University of California School of Law (Boalt Hall). Berkeley, February 2015
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. “A General Counsel’s View Of Dispute Resolution-International Arbitration As An Alternative to Litigation.” Tempe, February 2015
  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution Miami International Arbitration Conference. “Mock Arbitration of Expedited Procedures.” Miami, January 2015
  • International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration. “Conference on Dispute Resolution in Aeronautics.” Paris, December 2014
  • International Centre for Dispute Resolution. “Why New York Law May Look Attractive to International Business with a Russian Nexus.” New York, November 2014
  • Singapore International Arbitration Centre, SIAC Congress 2014. “Current Issues in International Arbitration-Selection of Arbitrators, Costs, Ethics, and Emergency Arbitrators.” Singapore, June 2014
  • Singapore International Arbitration Centre, SIAC Congress 2014. “New Areas for International Arbitration–Aviation, Financial Services, Private Equity, Healthcare, and Sports.” Singapore, June 2014
  • International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration. “Key Issues in the Arbitral Process: Confidential Information, Documents, Subpoenas, and Witnesses.” Singapore, June 2014
  • American Arbitration Association, Board of Directors Meeting. “Dispute-Wise Program.” San Francisco, May 2014
  • American Bar Association, Section of International Law. “Careers in International Law.” Sacramento, April 2014
  • Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration. “An International Arbitration Hypothetical, Which Seat in the Asia Pacific Region is Likely to Give You the Outcome You Want?” Sydney, December 2013
  • Herbert Smith Freehills. “The Pursuit of Enforcement: Strategies for Dealing and Disputing with Chinese Parties.” Melbourne, December 2013
  • Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. “International Arbitration In Asia: A Behind the Scenes Review.” Hong Kong, October 2013
  • California State Bar, International Law Section. “When Are California Companies Using International Arbitration? Is it Working?” San Francisco, September 2013
  • International Centre For Dispute Resolution. “Corporate Counsel Advocacy in International Arbitration-Working Towards a Fair and Economical Process.” Miami, September 2013
  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section. “How Do Companies Really Resolve Disputes?” San Francisco, August 2013
  • American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution. “15th Annual Spring Conference.” Chicago, April 2013