Mediator Resume

Whittington, Brock & Swayze, P.A. - Shareholder

Attorney; Arbitrator

Shareholder, Whittington Brock & Swayze P.A., 1973-Present; Instructor, Trial Advocacy, University of Mississippi Law School, 2000-2004; Prosecutor, Leflore County, Mississippi, 1976-2000; Business Law Teacher, Mississippi Valley State University, 1974-1975; Captain, U.S. Army JAGC, 1969-1973; Special Circuit Judge in Katrina-related cases, Jackson County, Mississippi.

Engaged in general litigation including appellate, banking, bankruptcy, business law, collections, debtor-creditor, estates (probate and trust), negligence, and real property. Specific expertise and knowledge in banking, negligence, and cotton laws, rules, and regulations through arbitration and litigation. Represented consumers and businesses in various types of legal disputes including, but not limited to, banking, loan, cotton, and products liability disputes. Served as a Special Master in approximately 22 Circuit and Chancery Court matters. Appointed Special Circuit Judge in Jackson County, Mississippi.

Mediated approximately 850 cases which have included more than 50 negligence, more than 50 motor vehicle negligence, more than 10 products liability, more than 10 medical malpractice, more than five nursing home negligence, more than 20 breach of contract, more than 10 construction, more than five partnership dissolutions, and more than five employment contracts.

My philosophy as a mediator is to provide a civil environment for all parties to freely and clearly discuss the issues of their case and personally present those issues to the conflicting sides while allowing all parties and their attorneys to vent their frustrations with the case and the system. Then, to provide an environment for free exchange of shuttle diplomacy among the parties by the mediator with occasional encouragement toward settlement by emphasizing risks to the parties at trial, either before a judge or a jury. Allowing sufficient time for these discussions to proceed to finally conclude with a compromised agreement.

George Washington University (LLM, Labor Law-1973); University of Mississippi (JD-1969; BBA, Business Administration-1966).

Admitted to the Bar: Mississippi, 1969; U.S. District Court: Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Court of Appeals: Fifth and Sixth Circuits; U.S. Military Court of Appeals; U.S. Supreme Court.

Mississippi Bar (Past President; Board of Commissioners; ADR Section, Past President; ADR Committee, Past Chair, Past Vice Chair; Professionalism Committee, Past Chair; Executive Committee); Southern Conference of Bar Presidents (President); Leflore County Bar Association (Past President; Past Vice President; Past Secretary); American Bar Association (Mississippi House Delegate, President of National Caucus of State Bar Associations); University of Mississippi Lamar Order (Past Chair); Mississippi Supreme Court ADR Committee; Mississippi Prosecutors Association (Past Board of Directors); Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association (Past Board of Governors); American Board of Trial Advocates; American Bar Foundation (Fellow); Mississippi Bar Foundation (Fellow); American Inns of Court (William C. Keady Chapter); Association of Attorney-Mediators, Inc.; Texas and Mississippi Chapters of the Association of Attorney Mediators (Secretary/Treasurer of MS Chapter).

"Two Alternatives to Going to Court," GREENWOOD COMMONWEALTH, 1998; "Arbitration Could Speed Up Court System," ENTERPRISE-TOCSIN, 1998; frequent lecturer on "Effective Use of Mediation and Arbitration"; various articles in MISSISSIPPI BAR MAGAZINE.

Hourly Rate: $300.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Mileage charged at $.50. No cancellation fees charged.

English

United States of America

Greenwood, Mississippi