Jeffrey BENZ

Mr. Benz has mediated and arbitrated several hundred complex domestic and cross-border disputes under the rules of many major institutions. He has been recognized repeatedly as "Lawyer of the Year" for arbitration in Los Angeles and was recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyers, 2021-23).

Mr Benz has also developed a sports-focused specialty. According to Who's Who Legal 2018-22 UK Bar, he is "'widely recognised for his first-rate arbitration practice' and clients note he is 'in a class of his own' when it comes to complex sports disciplinary disputes." In 2016, the BBC noted Mr. Benz is "widely regarded as amongst the most experienced judges" in world sport.

Mr. Benz is known for his creativity, and brings the high energy and unflagging persistence of a former competitive athlete to drive resolutions. Clients favourably note his "sense of humour", his ability to "quickly distil the essential details of the case" and "generate the goodwill and rapport" to drive matters to a satisfactory conclusion. As an arbitrator, Mr. Benz shapes the process with an eye for efficiency and fairness, born of his background as lawyer and client.

He remains an Adjunct Professor teaching dispute resolution, ethics in international commercial and domestic arbitration, and sports law at Pepperdine University Law School's Straus Institute (Malibu). He has also tutored courses at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and on arbitration programs for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in the developing world.