Mediator Resume

Arbitrator and mediator with over 30 years of combined experience as an attorney, engineer, and dispute resolution professional handling construction, commercial, consumer, and complex claims. Cases range from over $100 million multi-party construction disputes to two-party consumer claims, as well as a variety of commercial and contract disputes. Brings a special combination of engineering, technology, legal, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) expertise. These skills enable a thorough understanding of complex technical disputes and ensures an efficient, fair resolution. Active and current in the ADR, engineering, energy, and construction industries as a frequent speaker and writer.

Keogh Cox & Wilson, Ltd. - Partner

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Attorney/Partner, Keogh, Cox & Wilson, 2005-Present; Associate Attorney, Kean Miller, 1999-2000; Design Engineer, LeBlanc & Assaf Engineers, 1983-1988, 1990-1993; Design Engineer, Levy Kramer Engineers, 1988-1990.

Extensive experience as an ADR professional and trial attorney handling construction, commercial and complex litigation. Recent cases include a $300 million class action flood case arising from an interstate highway and bridge expansion project, consolidated lawsuits by over 500 claimants totaling $450 million arising from a hotel collapse during construction, multimillion-dollar delay claim by a contractor in a river dredging project, suit against an environmental consultant arising from construction at an industrial facility alleging violations of wetland regulations, $85 million design-build contract dispute at an LNG facility, and a $65 million claim for delay arising from a design-build contract for an interstate highway expansion. Experience includes all aspects of construction and legal disputes from project development through design, construction, and commissioning, including environmental assessments, utility coordination, government regulations and permitting, design-build, public and EPC contracts, bidding and procurement, change order and submittal process, jobsite safety, contractor warranties, defense and indemnity, insurance, property and survey disputes, payment disputes, and surety and lien claims. Other specific construction experience includes directional drill and pipeline installation errors, equipment/process failures in petrochemical facilities, defective pipe fittings installed in a chemical plant, boiler malfunction during commissioning at a chemical plant, design defects and construction delays in a hospital project, lightning protection system failure at an emergency services facility, and design and construction defects in a hurricane/flood control and pump station. Experience also includes claims involving business, shareholder and commercial disputes; trademark and intellectual property; trusts; consumer and unfair trade practice; residential construction; construction and small business loan agreements; solar panel installation; manufactured and modular home warranty and new home warranty agreements; and claims by consumers against financial, loan, and money transaction institutions. Worked extensively in both civil and common law jurisdictions, with non-domestic parties and non-English speaking representatives.

Served as mediator in over 20 cases involving construction, property damage, and insurance disputes. Selected by United States District Court to serve on neutrals panel for Hurricane Ida claims.

Residential and commercial design and construction defect claims, project delay claims, first-party insurance coverage disputes arising from hurricanes and other casualties, extra-contractual insurance claims, property damage and personal injury arising from nearby commercial activity and unfair trade practices.

Focus is on detailed preparation before the mediation and a fair, neutral approach to the people and issues involved in the dispute. While the primary goal is a quick and efficient settlement, the approach fosters a casual and open discussion of the issues to allow the parties to get an objective and helpful view of their case and to assist in visualizing a resolution even in the most complex, high-stakes, and/or emotional disputes.

Proficient in reviewing large volumes and types of documents, handling complex ESI issues, using document management software, remote virtual hearings and conferences including Zoom, and AAA's online case management platforms. Also proficient with design, construction and insurance industry software and documents including CAD files for design plans, construction scheduling software such as Primavera, and Xactimate for repair cost estimation. Knowledgeable about issues related to LLMs and artificial intelligence.

Louisiana State University Law Center (JD, Louisiana Law Review-1999); Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, cum laude-1983). Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University (Mediation Certification-2023).

Admitted to the Bar: Louisiana (1999), Texas (2025). Licensed Professional Electrical Engineer: Louisiana (1988).

Fellow in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, American Bar Association (Dispute Resolution & Construction sections); Louisiana State Bar Association (ADR, Fidelity, Surety & Construction Law section); Baton Rouge Bar Association (Construction Law section); Louisiana Engineering Society; American Institute of Architects Louisiana; Louisiana Associated General Contractors; American Council of Engineering Companies; Dispute Resolution Board Foundation; Women's Energy Network of South Louisiana; Institute for Energy Law.

Recent Publications: Contractual Risk Management – Recent Developments in Indemnity, LAGC Magazine, Summer 2025; The Role of Arbitration in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Construction, ABA Dispute Resolution Section, Arbitration Newsletter, Spring 2025; Construction Insurance, 2024 Construction Law in Louisiana publication issued by LSU/LSBA; Arbitration Awards: U.S. Fifth Circuit Confirms Judicial Deference, keoghcox.com/arbitration- (June 2025). Speaking Engagements: Design Professional Liability & Risk Management at the Joint Engineering Society Conference in Lafayette (Feb. 2025), LA Civil Engineering Conference in Kenner (Sept. 2025), and American Society of Civil Engineers Acadiana (April 2025); Discovery in Arbitration – How Does It Differ from Litigation? at the Baton Rouge Bar Association Construction Section CLE (Aug. 14, 2025); Construction Insurance at the Construction Law conference hosted by LSU and the Louisiana State Bar Association (Sept. 2024); Engineers' Liability in the Climate Change Environment at the JESC (Feb. 2024); Legal Liability Roundtable at the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors, Baton Rouge (Oct. 2024); Project Communication & Documentation – Best Practices & Liability Issues, Louisiana Engineering Society BR Chapter (March 2024); Engineers' Liability, Risk Management & Evolving Trends, ACEC, New Orleans (Jan. 2024).

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Compensation rates, established by the AAA, are set forth in the applicable Consumer Mediation Procedures.

English

United States of America

Baton Rouge, Louisiana