Mediator Resume

Georgia attorney with 44 years of experience in resolving disputes, member of the State Bar of Georgia and registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution as a Mediator and Arbitrator. Board Member, Atlanta Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section (Chair) and Georgia Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section (Board Member).

Sparks Group, LLC - Arbitrator & Mediator

Practice focused on arbitration and mediation.

Arbitrator & Mediator, Sparks Group LLC, 2019 - Present; Sr. Vice President, Beazer Homes, LLC 2018-2019 General Counsel, John Wieland Homes JWC Collection 2014 - 2018; Region President, Lennar Homes Southeast Region, 2006 - 2014; Sr. Vice President, Pulte Homes Jacksonville, 2003 - 2005; General Counsel, Colony Homes, 2000 - 2003; General Counsel, Torrey Homes 1995 - 2000; Partner, Kessler & Sparks, Attorneys 1981 - 1995.

Georgia attorney licensed in 1981. Law practice was primarily focused on state and federal court trials and complex real estate issues. In the mid 90's left the law practice to serve as general counsel and senior management roles for various construction and home-building companies. Since 2019 full time mediator and arbitrator. Extensive experience with consumer cases, small and mid-scale construction projects, shopping center development, office park development, single-family homes, multi-story condominiums, homeowner associations, construction defect claims, insurance claims, reinsurance, subrogation claims, environmental claims, large land purchases, business purchases and acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestitures, and finance. Previously licensed as a general contractor (currently inactive) in North and South Carolina.

Mediated cases involving business acquisitions (M&A), homebuilder sales agreements, consumer sales, employee/employer claims, estate claims, and domestic relations matters. Mediated cases since the late 90's. Attended Harvard University Program on Negotiation (2019), Henning (2019 Mediation), and Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire (Savannah, Georgia - Domestic Relations Mediation Certificate and Volunteer, 2020).

Cases mediated include included a case between a large homebuilder that purchased a smaller builder for breach of an acquisition contract, a case between a homebuilder and its customer over a breach of warranty, a dispute between a homebuilder, its insurer and the customer (multiparty) over coverage, several estate claims involving contests related to years support, and numerous cases involving child support, child custody and property division cases.

Active listening means spending time with each party to understand their side of the case and then proceeding to try and craft a solution acceptable to both parties.

Comfortable conducting virtual hearings with Zoom, WebEx, and Teams. Handled cases involving AI and ClickWrap issues. Completed Clearbrief Academy, May 2025. Completed TechCred Certification (AI) through ABA and New York Law School November 2025.

Woodrow Wilson College of Law (JD - 1981); Georgia State University (BS, emphasis on Criminal Justice - 1978). Henning Arbitration Training 2019; Henning Mediation Training 2019; Harvard Program on Negotiation, 2019; American Bar Association, Arbitration Training Institute 2024. ClearBridge Certification 2025. TechCred Certificadtion, New York Law Schook 2025.

Admitted to the Bar: Georgia (1981), Georgia Court of Appeals; Georgia Supreme Court; U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution registered as an Arbitrator and a Mediator 2019 - present.

American Bar Association Georgia Bar Association Georgia Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section, Board of Directors (2024 to present) Atlanta Bar Association Atlanta Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section, Board of Directors (2021 - present), Chair 2025.

Moderator, Atlanta Bar Association, "Best Practices in Employment Mediation", November 2, 2022 Moderator, Atlanta Bar Association Construction Law and Dispute Resolution Sections, "Drafting and Negotiating Successful Dispute Resolution Provisions", October 27, 2021.

Metro Atlanta Area. With a commitment for one day of hearing or more and with prior arrangement, will travel throughout Georgia as well as the neighboring states at no charge or reduced charge for travel time.

Hourly Rate: $325.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $275.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Travel expenses not charged for travel in Georgia if working on a full day hearing or mediation.

English

United States of America

Roswell, Georgia