Judge to appoint arbitrator in lawsuit by former executive director Friday, December 18, 2015 Categories: News Releases Contact: Laura Ernde 415-538-2283 barcomm@calbar.ca.gov SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18, 2015 – The State Bar of California announced today that a judge has agreed to appoint an arbitrator to resolve a lawsuit filed by its former executive director. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael J. Raphael has ordered attorneys for both sides to submit 10 to 15 names to him by noon on Dec. 21, so he may choose an arbitrator. At a Dec. 15 court hearing, Joseph Dunn’s attorneys withdrew a motion for preliminary injunction to reinstate the former executive director after the judge indicated he would deny the motion on its merits. Dunn’s Nov. 14, 2014 whistleblower lawsuit was ordered to binding arbitration in June. Two full-day mediation sessions that took place Sept. 14 and Nov. 6 were not successful. The State Bar has maintained the lawsuit is baseless and that it could terminate Dunn with or without cause, pursuant to the terms of his contract. “The State Bar’s new management team looks forward to concluding the litigation and putting the distraction of Dunn’s claims behind so we can focus our efforts on fulfilling the State Bar’s most important function of public protection,” Executive Director Elizabeth Parker said. Previous Article Next Article