Mediator Resume

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick - Partner

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Attorney, Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, 1984 - Present; Attorney, Debevoise & Plimpton, 1981 - 1984.

Litigates nationwide in cases involving franchise/distribution, intellectual property, securities, antitrust, contract, partnership, construction, employment, labor, consumer, insurance, ERISA, and international. Serves as general outside counsel to leading international food manufacturer and distributor.

Mediated over 150 cases for 26 years. Nearly all cases are business disputes of all types, with a specialty in franchise mediation. Also serves on the panel for CPR and the Northern District of Ohio. Has trained over 200 neutrals in Early Dispute Resolution Mediation Process.

Handled a wide variety of issues - franchise, business torts, breach of contract, fraud, negligence, partnership, shareholder, ERISA, securities, government, riparian rights, personal injury, products liability, employment (including union), real estate development, commercial landlord/tenant, trademark, insurance, and construction.

My approach is the structured four-step Early Dispute Resolution Mediation Process, which I developed. The goal is to help parties realistically assess risk so they can negotiate intelligently. I begin right after appointment to work with the parties so that each understands the other's core claims and defenses, and that each exchanges with the other side key supporting documents and information. I then work with each side on risk-adjusted valuations and, through shuttle diplomacy, facilitate risk-informed negotiation on the merits to reach resolution. If needed, we will proceed to a mediation session, preferably half a day because the parties have already been engaged in risk-informed negotiations.

University of Michigan (J.D. - 1981); George Washington University (B.A. - 1977).

Admitted to the Bar: Michigan (1988), Ohio (1984), New York (1982).

Commercial College of Arbitrators, Ohio Bar Association; Toledo Bar Association; American Bar Association ADR Section and Forum on Franchising); CPR; EDR Institute; International Distribution Institute; National Association of Distinguished Neutrals.

October 16, 2025, AAA Mediation Magazine, "The EDR Protocols: Mediation Transformed;" April 4, 2013; "International Arbitration" December 2012 Shumaker Newsletter; Co-Author, "Annual Franchise and Distribution Law Developments 2012" (ABA); "Mediation 2.0," Franchise Law Journal, Fall 2012; "Key Legal and Business Ethics Issues for Franchise Lawyers," International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, May 15-17, 2011; "The Automobile Industry Special-Binding Arbitration Program: A Review and Analysis," Dispute Resolution Journal (Nov. 2010-Jan. 2011): 1:4; "Mandatory Arbitration of GM and Chrysler Dealer Terminations - Did It Work?" LJN Franchising Business & Law Alert (October 2010); "Can We Resolve Franchise Disputes Faster, Cheaper, and Better?" (with S. Fedder and J. Lande), LJN Franchising Business & Law Alert (July 2010): 1-3; "Mediating Franchise Disputes," ABA Forum on Franchising, 2009 Annual Program; THE CLIENT'S GUIDE TO MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION: THE STRATEGY FOR WINNING, American Bar Association, 2008; "Float like a Butterfly, Sting like a Bee: The Lure of Floating Forum Selection Clauses," FRANCHISE LAW JOURNAL, pp. 119-24, Fall 2007; "FTC Rule Revision Benefits Independent Franchisee Associations," THE FRANCHISEE VOICE, Summer 2007; "A Step-by-Step Look at Dispute Resolution," INSIDE THE MINDS: MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION BEST PRACTICES, Aspatore Books, 2007; "Franchise Brokers: Buyer Beware," LJN FRANCHISING BUSINESS & LAW ALERT, 12:6, March 2006; "47 Litigation Writing Rules," THE WOMAN ADVOCATE, ABA Section of Litigation, Fall 2005; "Forty-Five Litigation Writing Rules," OHIO LAWYER, May/June 2005. SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: Co-presenter, Intensive Program on Mediation, 2013 American Bar Association Forum on Franchising; Panelist, "Herding Cats: The Case for Collective or Joined Arbitration," American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Conference, 2012; "Annual Franchise and Distribution Law Developments 2012" American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, October, 2012; "Key Legal and Business Ethics Issues for Franchise Lawyers," International Franchise Association Legal Symposium, May 16 and 17, 2011; "Formation of the ADR Clause," International Association of Defense Counsel, June 9, 2010; "The New Wave of Dispute Resolution," American Bar Association Forum on Franchising teleseminar, May 26, 2010; Best practices for Dispute Resolution," International Association of Franchisees and Dealers, May 10, 2010; "ADR is Not an Impulse Item," Cincinnati Bar Association, September, 2009; "Mediation and Arbitration: Strategies for Winning," presented to Association of Corporate Counsel, Central Ohio Chapter, November, 2008; "Antitrust Guidelines for Trade Associations," presented to National Association of Credit Management, November, 2008.

Northwest Ohio

Hourly Rate: $675.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $675.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment:

English

United States of America

Toledo, Ohio