SAN FRANCISCO (August 2, 2006):  Farella Braun + Martel LLP is pleased to announce that Robert L. Hines has been re-appointed as a co-chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the American Bar Association's Section of Litigation.  Mr. Hines, chair of Farella Braun + Martel's Environmental Law Department, will assume his responsibility at the end of the ABA Annual Meeting on August 14, 2006.

The ABA Section of Litigation Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution is concerned with developments and optimum use of all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation, summary jury trials, mini-trials, early neutral evaluation, as well as effective settlement and negotiation techniques. Alternative dispute resolution is considered both within the formal litigation process and pre-suit. The committee sponsors numerous programs to enhance the advocate's skills in all dispute resolution procedures because knowledge of ADR techniques is particularly essential for trial lawyers.

At Farella Braun + Martel, Mr. Hines represents clients in complex governmental and private environmental litigation and enforcement actions, including state and federal Superfund actions, natural resource damage claims, air and water actions, and multi-media agency proceedings.  He also provides regulatory representation and compliance counseling regarding the selection and implementation of site investigations and cleanup.  Mr. Hines is skilled in the use of dispute resolution techniques and advocates the use of such approaches where appropriate. He serves as a mediator to the United States District Court of the Northern District of California.

About Farella Braun + Martel's LLP

Since its founding in 1962, Farella Braun + Martel has achieved a national reputation for the acumen of its business practice, the high profile cases of its complex commercial litigation practice and its prestigious client base. Based in San Francisco, the firm serves a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses. The firm also has an office in the Napa Valley focused on the wine industry and related businesses.     

Press Contact:
Cheryl Loof / 415.954.4433