Marco Abruzzi is a full-time, sought-after mediator and arbitrator who is passionate about helping parties navigate and resolve their disputes.

With training from Harvard Law in mediation as well as Oxford University and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in arbitration, Marco brings a well-rounded and thoughtful approach to conflict resolution.

He has over 14 years of experience as a lawyer and arbitration counsel leading complex legal cases in the BC Supreme Court as well as institutional and ad hoc tribunals for business, family, shareholder, energy, resource extraction, technology, First Nations, family, estates and workplace disputes.

Prior to private practice for a boutique law firm in Vancouver, Marco worked as Crown Counsel with the Department of Justice Canada working in the Business & Regulatory Law, Aboriginal Law and National Security sections and as a Legal Advisor to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.



- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Mediation & Arbitration Certificates (2024)

- Harvard Law School Mediation and Advanced Mediation Certifications (2021)

- Harvard Law School Negotiation and Leadership Program (2020)

- Oxford University Diploma of International Commercial Arbitration (2018)

- Lloyd’s Maritime Academy, London Maritime Disputes & Arbitration Certificate (2018)

- Qualified Mediator, ADRIC/ ADRBC 2017

- Qualified Arbitrator, ADRIC/ ADRBC 2015

- University of British Columbia Juris Doctor (2010)

- Hague Academy of International Law, International Public & Private Law Certificates (2009)

- Simon Fraser University BA, Political Science and Industrial Relations (2007)

Audit/ Accounting
Commercial Real Estate
Construction
Employment/Wrongful Dismissal
Energy Extraction Disputes
Engineering
Entertainment & Media
Finance & Lending
Indigenous Disputes
Intellectual Property
Mining Disputes
Oil & Gas
Oppression Cases
Partnership Disputes
Professional Services
Renewable Energy
Shareholder Disputes
Technology/ Licensing
Workplace Disputes

ADR Institute of British Columbia
Director 2025 - present
Chair, Governance Committee

MediateBC
Committee Member,

ICC Canada Arbitration Committee
Committee Member,

Institute for Energy Law
Advisory Board Member 2025 - present

Business Disputes

1) Breached Supplier Agreement Mediated a conflict between a Canadian distributor and a U.S. manufacturer over termination of an exclusive supply contract. Achieved a wind-down plan and joint public messaging to protect reputations.

2) Misuse of Confidential Information Facilitated a dispute involving a departing executive accused of using proprietary client data in a new venture. Settlement included non-solicitation undertakings and a limited damages payment.

3) Deferred Payment & Scope Creep in Services Contract Resolved a payment dispute involving a consulting services agreement where scope had expanded informally. Resulted in a mutual release and discounted final payment with a reference letter clause.

4) Family-Owned Business Dispute Over Buyout Terms Mediated a valuation and buyout conflict among siblings in a second-generation business. Achieved a phased buyout agreement with structured tax planning and transition support.

Shareholder Disputes

1) Minority Shareholder Freeze-Out Claim Mediated allegations of minority oppression in a tech startup, including exclusion from board meetings and dividends. Settled with buyout using independent valuation and revised non-compete clause.

2) Deadlock in 50/50 Partnership Resolved governance deadlock between two equal shareholders in a logistics company. Created a buy-sell mechanism and a dispute escalation clause with fallback to med-arb.

3) Dilution and Breach of Shareholders Agreement Handled a complex conflict involving alleged breach of a shareholders agreement after one founder was diluted through a funding round. Achieved a modified vesting schedule and restructured voting rights.

4) Inheritance of Shares in Closely-Held Corporation Mediated a dispute between heirs of a deceased shareholder and the remaining directors. Focused on share valuation and employment rights of the heir. Settled with partial redemption and seat on advisory board.

Wills and Estates

1) Sibling Dispute Over Undue Influence Allegations Mediated a will challenge involving two siblings and a caregiver, with allegations of undue influence in a late-life will revision. Resolved with redistribution of estate assets and confidentiality agreement.

2) Dispute Over Joint Tenancy and Resulting Trust Resolved a dispute involving a joint bank account and family home, where the surviving joint tenant (adult child) was accused of breaching a moral obligation to siblings. Settled through trust recognition and equitable division.

3) Executor-Beneficiary Conflict and Delays Mediated between an executor accused of delaying administration and beneficiaries seeking early distribution. Agreement included a timeline for winding up and executor compensation adjustment.

4) Blended Family Will Interpretation Handled a dispute involving a second spouse and children from a first marriage, with differing interpretations of a residuary clause. Resolved through partial payout and trust for future education expenses.

5) Advance Care and Power of Attorney Dispute Mediated a conflict between adult children over control of healthcare decisions and use of funds under a power of attorney. Resulted in the appointment of a professional trustee and an agreed care protocol.

Technology & IP

1) Software IP Dispute Between Startups Mediated a dispute between two software startups over the ownership and licensing of a jointly developed AI algorithm. Resolved with a structured royalty agreement and co-publication rights.

2) Data Breach Class Action Settlement Facilitated mediation between a cybersecurity firm and a class of clients after a data breach. Guided complex negotiation involving multiple insurers and international claimants.

3) Termination of SaaS Vendor Contract Helped resolve a multi-jurisdictional contract termination dispute between a global SaaS provider and a Canadian tech client. Focused on service-level failures and data migration protocols.

4) VC-Backed Founder Exit Conflict Mediated tensions between founders and investors after a forced CEO transition. Resulted in an equity buyout with phased exit and confidentiality undertakings.

5) Patent Infringement Allegation in IoT Space Led a technical mediation involving overlapping patents for smart home device protocols. Settled with a cross-licensing deal and delayed market entry provision.

Financial Services

1) Banking Misrepresentation Claim Mediated a claim by a high-net-worth client alleging misrepresentation of risk exposure by a private bank. Settled with a non-disclosure agreement and partial reimbursement.

2) Fintech Shareholder Dispute Resolved a multi-party shareholder dispute within a blockchain startup. Achieved restructured share allocations and an amended governance model.

3) Brokerage Firm Termination Dispute Facilitated a wrongful dismissal and defamation claim involving a terminated broker. Settled with severance, reference wording, and expunged records.

4) Loan Syndication Fee Allocation Mediated conflict between multiple financial institutions over fee entitlements and responsibility for underwriting failures in a syndicated loan.

Energy & Resource Disputes

1) Joint Venture Breakdown in Renewable Project Mediated the wind-down of a failed joint venture between two energy companies over a solar development. Reached agreement on asset transfer and public communication strategy.

2) Pipeline Easement Compensation Resolved dispute between a utility company and Indigenous landowners over fair compensation and environmental monitoring commitments.

3) Operational Liability in Offshore Spill Facilitated multi-party negotiations involving subcontractors, insurers, and regulators over liability in a marine energy spill.

4) Power Purchase Agreement Renegotiation Mediated a breakdown in a long-term power purchase agreement due to shifting market rates. Achieved a restructured tariff schedule and early termination option.

Employment & Workplace Disputes

1) Executive Termination and Bonus Dispute Mediated a high-level executive’s termination dispute involving bonus entitlements and stock options. Negotiated a settlement with equity conversion and coaching support.

2) Workplace Harassment and Retaliation Claim Resolved a harassment complaint within a nonprofit organization. Achieved agreement on internal HR reforms and voluntary transition of the respondent.

3) Non-Compete Enforcement Conflict Facilitated mediation between a tech employer and a former employee accused of violating a restrictive covenant. Resolved through geographic restriction amendment and release.

4) Wage Disparity Allegation Across Teams Mediated a systemic wage dispute in a unionized manufacturing plant, resulting in a new pay banding framework and joint audit mechanism.

5) Remote Work Agreement Breach Helped parties reach resolution after an employee was terminated for allegedly misusing a remote work arrangement. Resulted in reinstatement and revised performance expectations.

Construction Disputes

1) Delay Claims in Multi-Use Development Mediated a high-stakes dispute between a developer and general contractor involving cascading delays and liquidated damages. Achieved global settlement and completion timeline.

2) Defective Work Allegation in Custom Home Build Resolved homeowner-builder conflict over alleged deficiencies and cost overruns. Resulted in partial refund and completion under new contractor oversight.

3) Subcontractor Payment & Lien Withdrawal Facilitated dispute between subcontractor and general contractor over unpaid invoices. Agreement included lien withdrawal and staggered payment.

4) Joint Venture Dissolution in Industrial Project Mediated the separation of construction joint venture partners due to conflicting management styles and differing tolerances for cost overruns.

5) Cross-Border Supply Chain Breach Handled conflict between Canadian contractor and US supplier related to delayed steel deliveries. Resolved through adjusted milestone payments and backup sourcing clause.

Family Disputes - Property and Support

1) Mid-Length Marriage with Business Assets Mediated a 13-year marriage separation involving a family-run consulting business. Issues included income determination for spousal support, business valuation, and unequal contribution to startup capital. Resolved with staggered spousal support and a deferred buyout.

2) Division of Pension and Real Estate Guided parties through division of a defined-benefit pension, a jointly owned family home, and a vacation property inherited by one spouse. Resolution included a blend of pension equalization and property offset to preserve the cottage for the inheriting spouse.

3) Interjurisdictional Property Division Facilitated resolution between spouses residing in different provinces involving investment properties in BC and Ontario, with competing views on excluded property. Settled with a blended cash/property transfer and post-separation growth sharing.

Family Disputes – Parenting

1) High-Conflict Parenting After International Move Mediated parenting time and communication protocols after one parent’s relocation back to BC from overseas. Addressed allegations of gatekeeping and cultural differences. Achieved staggered reintegration plan and parenting coordination clause.

2) Neurodiverse Child Parenting Plan Guided parents through a customized parenting schedule for a child with ASD and sensory processing challenges. Agreement emphasized routine consistency, school transitions, and minimized handoffs.

3) Allegations of Parental Alienation Facilitated emotionally charged mediation where one parent alleged alienation following a separation. Resulted in appointment of a child psychologist, temporary parenting schedule, and monthly review meetings.

4) Split Custody with Travel Restrictions Mediated a plan for two teenagers who each wished to reside with different parents in separate cities. Addressed travel schedules, sibling contact, and major decision-making protocols.

• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Canada Arbitration Committee

• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Canada Branch (FCIArb)

• ADR Institute of Canada/British Columbia

• Toronto Commercial Arbitration Society

• MediateBC

• World Intellectual Property Organization

• The Advocates' Society

• BC Bar Association

• Law Society of British Columbia

• Institute for Energy Law

Half-day Mediation
(3 1/2 hours, 9:00am to 12:30pm or 1:00pm to 4:30pm) $4,500 plus tax, includes a joint 1-hour Pre-Mediation Conference and 4 hours of preparation and intake interviews, case review

Full-day Mediation
(6 1/2 hours, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Two parties: $6500 plus tax  
Three parties: $8,500 plus tax
More than three parties: add $2000 for each additional party
Includes a joint 1-hour Pre-Mediation Conference and 6 hours preparation and intake interviews, case review

Two-day Mediation
(12 hours, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm)
Two parties: $10,000 plus tax
Three parties: $12,000 plus tax
More than three parties: add $2000 for each additional party. Includes a joint 2-hour Pre-Mediation Conference and 8 hours preparation, intake interviews, case review

Addition Hourly Rate $450 plus tax time over the allotted preparation and session time set out above

Arbitrations
(Domestic and International)

Daily Hearing Rate (6 1/2 hours, 10:00am to 4:30pm) $6500 plus tax per hearing day or portion thereof.

Hourly Rate $550 plus tax per hour for pre-hearing conferences, interim motions, hearing preparation and award writing