Mediator Resume

Bishop Mediation & Arbitration, LLC - Sole Member

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator, and Umpire

Sole Member, Bishop Mediation & Arbitration, LLC, 2023 - Present; Partner, Cohen Garelick & Glazier, 2007 - 2022; Partner, Drewry Simmons Vornhem LLP, 2001 - 2007; Partner, Smith Fisher Mass & Bishop, 2000 - 2001; Partner, Kightlinger & Gray, 1999 - 2000; Partner, Bishop & Bishop, 1986 - 1999; Associate, Johnson and Weaver, 1984 - 1986; Associate, Kightlinger & Gray, 1983 - 1984; Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable James E. Noland U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 1981 - 1983.

Broad experience in litigation and alternative dispute resolution as an advocate and as an arbitrator and mediator. Represented clients in a wide aray of businesses and industries, including closely held entities, real estate (commercial, farm and residential), healthcare, professional practices (doctors, accountants, attorneys, and veterinarians), construction (commercial and residential), investors, and finance. COMMERCIAL: Representing plaintiffs and defendants in breaches of contracts, employment agreements, covenants not to compete, offers to purchase and sell real estate, shareholder litigation, and closely held corporations. Representative cases include the following: (1) majority shareholder in litigation involving closely held corporation and recovering loans to affiliated companies and guarantee on commercial loans to banks; (2) healthcare professionals, accountants, veterinarians, and stockbrokers in defending alleged breach of covenants not to compete, including multiple temporary restraining order proceedings and preliminary injunction trials; (3) investors in securities fraud disputes against brokers, brokerage houses, and private placement offerings; (4) foreign manufacturers in trademark infringement and enforcement litigation; (5) design surgeons in royalty claims. EMPLOYMENT: Representing companies and employees in cases involving employment discrimination, wage and hour claims, wrongful termination, and covenants not to compete. Representative cases include the following: (1) corporation in race and sex discrimination cases before the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the EEOC; (2) not-for-profit charity in race and age discrimination cases before the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and the EEOC; (3) management level employee in wage and hour case for payment of salary and bonuses of $300,000; (4) corporation in multiple cases involving wage and hour claims of salary and commission employees; and (5) healthcare professionals, stockbrokers, and accountants in numerous cases involving covenants not to compete. CONSTRUCTION: Representing owners, general contractors, subcontractors, architects and engineers in all facets of construction litigation. Representative cases include the following: (1) general contractor in defense of case by major Midwestern university involving multi-million dollar defective construction claim for alleged defects in constructing pre-stress concrete structures, installing poured-in-place slab foundations, installing concrete expansion joints, installing metal handrails, and installing reinforcing steel; (2) public owner in lawsuit against architect, general contractor, and subcontractor in metal roof design and installation; and (3) design professionals in numerous cases involving commercial structures, pool installations, commercial heating and air designs, commercial electrical designs, and mechanical plumbing layouts.

For the past 30 years, the majority of meditations have involved at least three parties and many times seven or eight parties. These meditations include business, commercial, employment, healthcare, trust and estates disputes, and complex torts. As a mediator since 1986, have participated in over 4,400 cases as neutral. Registered Mediator, Indiana, 1991. Representative cases as a mediator include the following: (1) multi-day and multi-party case involving healthcare insurance company liquidation with damage claims of $5,500,000; (2) four-day and eight party dispute involving will contest, trust contest, attorney malpractice, fiduciary malpractice, and complex business evaluation; (3) numerous disputes between healthcare professionals, optometrists, and veterinarians in practice liquidation, breaches of covenants not to compete, and practice acquisitions. Claims varied between $300,000 and $50,000,000; (4) numerous disputes between owners and general contractors or subcontractors regarding contract disputes and defect claims on commercial projects, residential site development, and public projects. Claims ranged from $150,000 to $15,000,000; (5) numerous disputes involving healthcare professionals and accountants regarding covenants not to compete and practice liquidation, with claims ranging between $50,000 and $2,000,000; (6) numerous disputes between employees and employers involving discrimination and wage and hour violations; (7) dispute involving buy out of member's interest in closely held industrial company with cash and promissory notes exceeding $23, 000,000.

Attorney and accountant liability in estate planning; fiduciary's liability for managing and administering healthcare insurance fund; insurance company's breach of duty of good faith in resolving numerous claims; healthcare professionals and provider covenants not to compete; accountant and practice group covenants not to compete; construction claims involving design errors, defective construction, delay claims, and failure to perform; closely held business shareholder dispute including healthcare professionals, optometrists, and veterinarians in sale of practice; sexual misconduct by church ministry; investment adviser responsibility for securities transactions with investors; vendor contracts with large corporation and major healthcare provider: wrongful death and serious injury claims of adults and children.

My role as a mediator is multi-faceted. First, I attempt to provide a forum to allow the parties in a dispute to create a resolution that they can accept, within the reality of the facts and circumstances of their particular case. I attempt to accomplish this by extensive caucusing with the individual parties to not only provide a "venting" forum but to begin formation of a foundation for settlement options. This involves detailed discussions with all parties and I do employ evaluative techniques when I deem it appropriate. Next, I attempt to provide a forum for creative and alternative solutions to settling a dispute other than an exchange of money. During this process, I engage in extensive brain storming sessions to create a list of other solutions that may result in a win/win opportunity for all parties. Lastly, I attempt to provide a forum to allow the parties to find peace in ending their dispute. Much of this involves guiding the parties through the process of emotional venting, reality testing, formulating a realistic and positive settlement structure, and ultimately accepting the conclusion of their dispute. Although I am often proactive in the mediation, and at times evaluative, I continue to refer back to the parties and their attorneys to take responsibility for resolving their dispute. I give great deference to counsel representing the parties and am sensitive to that business, ethical and personal relationship during the mediation process.

Over 250 cases using Zoom for multi party and multi day arbitration and mediation. Experienced in using online platforms including Zoom and Teams. Willing to conduct arbitration and mediation via video conference or teleconference. Successfully completed Clearbrief Academy, May 2025.

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (JD-1980); Metropolitan University (BA, Political Science-1977).

Admitted to the Bar: Indiana (1980).

International Academy of Mediators (Distinguished Fellow); National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (Diplomate); Association of Attorney-Mediators (Member); American Bar Association ADR Section (Member); Indiana State Bar Foundation (Past President; Fellow); Indiana State Bar Association (Past Board of Governors, Secretary, District 11 Representative; Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Chair); Indianapolis Bar Association (Settlement Week Co-Chair; Litigation Section, Chair; Board of Managers, Secretary); Indianapolis Bar Foundation (Distinguished Fellow); Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (Past Board of Directors); Sagamore American Inn of Court (Past President); Sagamore American Inn of Court (Bencher and Past President).

"Arbitrator Boot Camp," IndyBar November, 2025; "Tips on Mediating Complex Cases," Association of Attorney Mediators, Nashville, Tennessee, April, ,2025; "Dealing with Motion Practice as the Arbitrator," AAA Regional Zoom Roundtable, August, 2023; "Why Some Mediations Fail and How to Avoid It," IndyBar, September, 2023; "Mediating Insurance Coverage Cases," IndyBar, November, 2023; Chair, "Advanced Continuing Mediation Education," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, October 2002-Present; Adjunct faculty, "Public Policy Mediation," Indiana University Program on Law and State Government, January 2006-2018; "Avoiding Pessimism in Mediation," Florida Mediation Institute, 2011; "Current Topics in Civil Mediation," Indianapolis Bar Association, 2010, 2015, and 2017 Panelist, "Advanced Civil Mediation, The Masters Series, "Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, 2009-present; "Advanced Civil Mediation Training," Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, 2009-present; "Employment Arbitration," Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, 2018; 2019 "Real Ethical Scenarios," Association of Attorney Mediators, Dallas, Texas, 2019.

Marion County, Indiana

Hourly Rate: $495.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $495.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Travel Time Outside Marion County, Indiana: $0

English

United States of America

Carmel, Indiana