Mediator Resume

Law Office of Michele O'Brien, P.C. - President

Attorney and Counselor at Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution Provider - Board Certified in Estate and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Civil Litigation from plaintiff and defendant positions. Acted as arbitrator in over 1,000 cases (including several class action settlements); Consumer law, Commercial law, Employment law. Served as a qualified mediator (Texas Credentialed Distinguished) since 1993 in commercial, probate, employment cases, and financial services.

Principal in The Law Office of Michele O'Brien PC, Alternative Dispute Resolution Provider since 1993 (meditation and arbitration), CIGNA Financial Services Division, 1983-1985; Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, 1981-1983; Attorney, Delaware County District Attorney's Office, 1978-1979.

From 1984-1993 acted as a civil trial attorney (DTPA< business and commercial cases) representing both clients in plaintiff and defendant positions. Since 1988, legal practice has focused on transactional matters/documentation, business and estate planning (entity review, organization, and management), estate planning and probate law, special needs planning, guardianship (person and estate), estate tax minimization, estate administration, and management. Consumer cases in arbitration have covered financial services generally, delving into cryptocurrency and blockchain issues, privacy with related topics, and consumer issues with statutory claims.

Has served as mediator since 1988 in over 2,000 disputes, including four nationwide class action settlements. Acted as neutral in cases involving contract disputes, wrongful death, personal injury, employment, discrimination, DTPA, etc.

Dispute over government actions against individuals, discrimination claims (employment and other contexts), medical and legal malpractice, wrongful death and injury, commercial, construction and contract claims, insurance coverage, probate, guardianship and trust cases.

Mediation is owned by the parties and is tailored to each party's separate, respective goals. A neutral mediator guides the process (even before the meeting) so that the parties are more likely to achieve a resolution that will be considered as a successful outcome.

Successfully completed Clearbrief Academy, July 2025.

University of Delaware (BA-1974); Villanova University (JD-1979; LLM, Taxation-1983)

Admitted to the Bar: Pennsylvania (1979); Texas (1984); U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1979); Southern District of Texas (1984). Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Estate Planning and Probate Law Certified (1997). NASD Licensed Representative (inactive). Licensed Insurance Agent, Pennsylvania and Texas (inactive).

American Bar Association; State Bar of Texas (Estate, Trust and Probate Section; Alternative Dispute Resolution Section); Texas Bar Foundation (Life Member); Houston Bar Association (ADR Section, Past Chair; Trust and Estates Section); Credentialed Distinguished with the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (2011); Houston Bar Foundation (Life Member); College of the State Bar of Texas.

Special Needs Planning seminars sponsored by Klein ISD, Spring ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, FFASN (Friends and Families of Asians with Special Needs) - 1995 to current

Hourly Rate: $400.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $400.00/hr Cancellation: $200.00/hr Cancellation Period: 2 Days Comment: Compensation rates, established by the AAA, are set forth in the applicable Consumer Mediation Procedures.

English

United States of America

Houston, Texas