Mediator Resume

2024 Recipient of the State Bar of Michigan Frank J. Kelley Distinguished Public Service Award.

UHY Advisors MI, Inc. - General Counsel Of Michigan Practice and Director of Government Relations

Attorney

General Counsel & Director of Government Relations, UHY Advisors, 2013 – Present; Former General Counsel & Director of Government Relations, SRR, 2010 – 2012; Former Vice President, General Counsel and Director of Government Relations, Comau Inc. (FKA Progressive Tool and Industries Company.), 1993-2009; Chief Judge, 20th District Court State of Michigan, visiting Judge Wayne County Circuit Court, 1989 – 1993; Senior Partner/Attorney, Plawecki & Ghannam, 1987 – 1989; Partner Berry Hopson Francis & Mack, 1980-1987; Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan, 1985 – 1998; Wayne County Commissioner (Vice Chairman - three terms), 1983 – 1989; Board of Directors, Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority, 1982 – 1984; Deputy Mayor, City of Dearborn Heights, 1979 – 1980; Director, Parks & Recreation, City of Dearborn Heights, 1978 – 1979; Teacher, Wayne/Westland School District, 1975 – 1978. Current member of the Central Michigan Board of Trustees 2019 - Present.

Over 30 years’ experience as civil trial lawyer, general counsel and judge as well as arbitrator, mediator and fact-finder in both public and private sectors. Fifty percent (50%) of practice in contract interpretation, business disputes, and complex commercial matters. 50% of practice in employment law including discharge, discipline, and discrimination issues. Appearances before federal and state courts, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, and arbitration proceedings; concerned discrimination disputes in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Michigan Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Michigan Handicappers' Civil Rights Act and ERISA. Experienced in the daily operations of both private and public entities including schools, colleges, state and local government, police, fire, matters and insurance, construction, building trades, hotel/restaurant, steel, transportation, automotive and manufacturing industries. Former Executive Vice President, In-House General Counsel and Director of Government Relations for Comau, Inc (FKA Progressive Tool & Industries)., an affiliate of Fiat S.p.A, which is a Tier I OEM 2 billion dollar supplier to the automobile, aerospace, and defense industry. Responsible for all legal, labor and government relation issues for Comau, Inc. including its foreign and domestic subsidiaries for 17 years. Serving as a general counsel for various companies in the private sector for over 30 years was responsible for not only legal matters but daily operations including workplace investigations. In the private sector was responsible for the complex work related to the GM & Chrysler 363 bankruptcy proceedings. In the public sector was responsible for restructuring activities related to the City of Detroit during its recent Chapter 9 Bankruptcy proceeding. Prior to joining Comau, Inc. as General Counsel, served as Chief Judge of the 20th District Court and a visiting Circuit Court Judge in the State of Michigan. In addition, has previously held a variety of public service positions. Elected Wayne County Commissioner four terms and appointed a member of the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA). Former adjunct professor at the University of Michigan and Detroit College of Business (Davenport University). Presently serves on the Board of Trustees for Central Michigan University. Serving as General Counsel for both UHY and SRR has extensive expertise in the areas of e-discovery and computer forensic litigation matters. Has also previously served as a special master concerning e-discovery disputes. UHY is a tax, advisory and consulting company with over 550 employees located in Michigan.

As a former judge, has participated as a mediator and conducted settlement conferences involving various civil matters between parties in resolving issues in settlements before trial. In addition, has served as a mediator on numerous disputes concerning employment matters, complex commercial litigation cases, joint venture agreements and licensing agreements.

Employment matters have involved wrongful termination, discrimination and breach of contract issues complex commercial litigation matters have involved breach of contract disputes concerning performance in the manufacturing, defense, aerospace sectors. Joint venture and licensing issues have concerned matters related to manufacturing and business partnership disputes.

It is my philosophy that the process of mediation when conducted by an experienced mediator serves the useful purpose of allowing the parties the ability to settle disputes in a timely cost efficient manner. Wherein both parties during the process are able to better ascertain the positive and negative aspects of their dispute, come to a realization of the practical considerations involved, and are able to mutually agree to an acceptable resolution and bring closure and finality to the dispute involved.

Detroit College of Law (JD, American Jurisprudence Award Labor Law-1979); Central Michigan University (BS, Education, Cum Laude-1975).

Admitted to the Bar: Michigan (1979); U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan (1979).

Michigan District Judges Association; State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; American Corporate Counsel Association; Oakland County Bar Association; Colonial Williamsburg Historical Society.

Hourly Rate: $1,000.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $1,000.00/hr Cancellation: $5,000.00/Day Cancellation Period: 14 Days Comment: Travel costs and/or lodging if required. Cancellation policy: $5,000.00 cancellation or adjournment fee if less than 14 day notice of any or each scheduled Mediation Hearing date.

English

United States of America

Farmington Hills, Michigan