Mediator Resume

Jeff Trueman, Esq., LL.M - Mediator Arbitrator

Full-time Mediator/Sole Practitioner, Jeff Trueman, Esq., 2018 - Present; Director of Civil ADR, Circuit Court for Baltimore City, 2012 - 2018; Sole Practitioner, Law Offices of Jeffrey Trueman, Esq., 2002 - 2012; B&O Railroad Museum, 2001 - 2002; Safe & Sound Campaign, 2000 - 2001; Associate Attorney, Kollman & Saucier, P.A., 1998 - 2000.

Over 20 years as an attorney specializing in real property and employment matters and 19 years as a mediator of a wide variety of litigated disputes (2,000+ conducted thus far). Previous Director of ADR at the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, overseeing more than 70 court-appointed neutrals who conducted over 1,000 mediations and settlement conferences per year. Frequent public speaker and presenter of mediation and negotiation-related dynamics at law schools, law firms, and litigation conferences. Academy Member of the National Association of Distinguished Neutrals, “an invitation-only professional association whose membership consists of mediators & arbitrators distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil & commercial dispute resolution.” Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, an invitation-only membership organization consisting of some of the most successful and highly trained professional mediators in the world. Recipient of the Chief Judge Robert M. Bell Award for outstanding contribution to Alternative Dispute Resolution in Maryland, given by the ADR Section of the Maryland State Bar Association. Recipient of the Paul A. Dorf Award from the Bar Association of Baltimore City, for “substantial contributions to the furtherance of the goals of alternative dispute resolution to resolve legal conflicts in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area.”

Employment disputes: * discrimination in private sector employment (gender, disability, age, national origin, pregnancy, race) * sexual harassment in higher education * wage and hour cleaning services company * professional services contracts Partnership dissolution: * law firm (with marital divorce pending between principals of the firm) * restaurant ventures Interpersonal disputes: * closely-held business dissolution * between surviving children and significant other regarding settlement proceeds from wrongful death lawsuit * between biological unmarried parents over settlement proceeds from wrongful death of infant child * estate undue influence allegations between siblings Commercial disputes: * transfer and sublease of nursing homes * priority of competing liens on commercial brewing equipment * debt collection against shopping center retail tenant * breach of gaming machines services contract Construction: * delay, work-order changes and defective work allegations at residential apartment building * delay and contract time extensions in highway construction project * upgrades to wastewater treatment facility failed to meet EPA standards * defective demolition and reconstruction of marine bulkheads, seawalls, and piers, and allegations of safety and permit violations * damage to neighboring residence caused by expansion of non-profit facility Medical malpractice: * wrongful death following treatment of back and neck pain * eye surgery (cataract) complications due to sudden movement by patient during procedure * sepsis after perforation of bowel during spinal surgery * steroid treatment of child with asthma * birth injuries (shoulder dystocia, asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, circulatory necrosis in extremities) Trucking and commercial transportation accidents: * wrongful death after handicapped scooter tipped over in medical transport van * wrongful death and catastrophic injuries to highway bystanders * catastrophic injuries to person changing flat tire on side of road * pedestrian in trucking yard Nursing homes: * wrongful death nursing home, failure to supervise resident who left the facility * wrongful death nursing home, failure to treat urinary tract infection * injuries from patient neglect (standard of care) * resident and visitor slip-and-falls Personal injury: * apartment fire (personal injuries and damage to personal property) * motor torts, pedestrians, motorcycle and bicycle injuries (liability and nature and extent of damages) * traumatic brain injuries and catastrophic injuries in motor vehicle accidents * catastrophic injuries caused by gunshot wounds in a parking garage (premises liability dispute) * medical facility premises liability (slip and falls) Environmental torts: * asbestos mesothelioma (manufacturing, brake dust, and talcum powder) * lead paint poisoning liability and nature and extent of damages (landlord / tenant - insured and uninsured, single and multiple units) and mortgagee liability * mold (apartment complexes, residential property and motor vehicle) * bed bug infestation of hotels and apartment units Insurance subrogation after fire damaged commercial warehouse Excessive force: * private security officers working as bouncers at bars and as independent contractors at apartment complexes * municipal law enforcement officers (wrongful suspicion of illegal activity, allegations of “driving while Black”) * juvenile detention center Qui tam medical billing Legal malpractice: * wrongful settlement of a civil case * conflict of interest in creation of a venture capital partnership Real property: * failure to disclaim / disclose defects (basement water, roof defects, HVAC defects, sewage) * condominium association’s alleged allowance of second hand smoke to infiltrate resident’s unit

Interpersonal conflict in the workplace, family businesses and closely-held corporations, among surviving siblings and spouses and significant others concerning the distribution of retirement and estate proceeds, partnership dissolution and shareholder disputes, among high-conflict personalities, and when facilitating distributive and interest-based negotiations. Defamation in social media, allegations of sexual abuse and rape (multiple defendants). Duty and performance as defined by contract, imposed by law, or professional obligation (such as attorney, doctor, accountant or other licensed professional) or undertaken as officer, partner, director, managing member, agent, representative, principal, employer or employee. Negligent acts and omissions; tortious conduct such as fraud, trespass, misappropriation, infringement, conversion, transfer and concealment of assets, unfair business conduct, interference with contract, failure to perform, or unjust enrichment. Assessments regarding the value of services, goods, property, personal or financial services, economic and non-economic damages, loss of opportunity, and torts such as personal injuries and wrongful death claims. Allocation issues concerning contribution from multiple insurance policies or distribution of insurance proceeds among multiple injury and death claims. Automobile and trucking accidents regarding liability and nature and extent of injuries. Professional malpractice (medical and legal) concerning breach of standard of care, causation and damages. Employment disputes concerning Title VII discrimination, ADEA, FLSA, FMLA, failure to accommodate disabilities under the ADA, wage and hour, breach of professional services or other employment contracts, and denial of opportunities (i.e., promotion, assignment, commission, stock options, profit sharing, deferred compensation, and severance pay). Environmental and toxic torts such as mold, lead paint, and asbestos. Construction disputes regarding delays, cost overruns, extra work, design and construction defects, water infiltration, improper renovations, and condominium council claims against owners or developers (waterfront development, wastewater treatment facilities, and apartment complexes). Insurance subrogation after fire and other damage to real property. Excessive force of municipal law enforcement and private security services.

Individualized approach. Although there is no cookie-cutter process, based on thousands of cases mediated and observed, I can say there are “3 Universal Factors of Success” in mediation: Timing: Do the parties have enough information to make decisions? Is now a good time to talk? Mediation can facilitate the exchange information and resolve discovery disputes. Communication: Are the participants able to convey their perspectives and understand what the other side is saying? Can the parties convey proposals (i.e., demands and offers) in a way that generates a considered, cooperative response? If not, let’s talk about what needs to happen first. Strategy: Do the parties and counsel have a strategy for the mediation? How will they respond to narratives that they find objectionable, litigation threats, and monetary offers or demands that are “insulting” or “pie in the sky?” Responding to these challenges is very different than reacting to them. In my opinion, this is the most important factor that influences resolution of the matter. When I believe a difficult conversation needs to happen, I will structure it in a clear and safe manner so that it addresses the issues contributing to impasse (at times this has helped parties resolve highly competitive, “money-driven” disputes).

Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law (LL.M Dispute Resolution - 2022); University of Baltimore, School of Law (JD, cum laude-1998); Berklee College of Music (Bachelor of Music-1989).

Admitted to the Bar: Maryland (1998).

Distinguished Fellow, International Academy of Mediators, an invitation-only membership organization consisting of some of the most successful commercial mediators in the world. National Association of Distinguished Neutrals Association of Attorney Mediators International Council for Online Dispute Resolution, Full Member Maryland State Bar Association Bar Association of Baltimore City Baltimore County Bar Association Montgomery County Bar Association Prince George's County Bar Association

Selected Publications & Speaking Engagements: Why Lawyers Misjudge Trial Outcomes in Mediation (and What to Do About It), Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly, October 2025 Better Data from Better Bargaining, Maryland Daily Record, May 2025 Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), Claims College, Faculty and Executive September 2018-2025 Navigating Social Inflation in Claims and Litigation, CLM, Transportation Focus Conference, June 2025, Nashville, TN Hot Trial Issues and Effective Defense Tactics, Eagle International Associates, Scottsdale, AZ, May 2025 Resolving Litigation with AI, HB Litigation Conferences, West LegalEdcenter, November, 2024 Avoiding the Nuclear Verdict or the Defense Verdict, HB Litigation Conferences, August 2024 The Settlement Dynamic of Medical Negligence Claims, Maryland State Bar Association, June 2024 Mediation of Employments Disputes: What’s your strategy? MSBA, Employment Law Institute, April 16, 2024 Settlement Negotiations and Med Mal Claim Handling, Crittenden Medical Liability, April 9, 2024 Conference, Charleston, SC Mediation: Why are We Afraid of Being First at the Table?, CLM Annual Conference, April 4, 2024 San Franscico, CA Policy Limit Demands, Eagle International Associates, Richmond, VA, March 20, 2024 Efficiency in Mediation, Webinar, Southern California Mediation Association, February 13, 2024, Los Angeles, CA Mediating Employment Disputes, Mediation Training Institute East Africa and Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, June 2023 Overcoming Impediments to Address the Needs of Injured Parties, Masters of Dispute Resolution Podcast, April 2023 Deactivating the Nuclear Button: Strengthening Your Settlement Strategy to Avoid a Nuclear Verdict, CLM, Annual Conference, Tampa, FL, March 2023 The First Principle Is Not To Fool Yourself, Maryland Daily Record, April 18, 2022 Overconfidence and Risk (Mis)management in Settlement Decisions, Maryland Daily Record, May 26, 2021 Subject Matter Expertise in Mediation, co-authored with Hon. J. Mark Coulson, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Maryland, Maryland Daily Record, January 7, 2021 Managing Mistrust in Mediation, Maryland Daily Record, October 27, 2020 Mediation in the World of Commercial Dispute Litigation: An Inside Look at the Challenges for Counsel, Mediators, and Insurance Claims Professionals, 2020, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF LAW AND POLICY , Vol. 63 Online Mediation: The Wheels of Justice Keep Turning, Maryland Daily Record, March 30, 2020 “This is Mediation so it’s Confidential, Right?” Confidentiality Tips When Mediating Disputes In and Out of Maryland State Courts, The Defense Line, a publication from Maryland Defense Council (March 2020) By Rejecting Evaluation, Maryland’s New Mediator Standards Present Significant Practice Issues for Commercial Cases, Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation, Newsletter of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (March 2020) Helping Parties Save Face in Employment Mediation (three-part series), Maryland Daily Record, February–March 2020 Early mediation (two part series), Maryland Daily Record, November 2019 Beware the Urge to Win. It might backfire. Maryland Daily Record, August 16, 2019 Eight Seasons of War in ‘Game of Thrones’ Lead to ADR, Maryland Daily Record, June 26, 2019 How to Manage High-Conflict Personalities, Maryland Daily Record, March 1, 2019 Still Crazy after All These Years: How Five Local Courts Manage Asbestos Litigation and Whether Comparable Case Values Can Help Calm the Craziness, UNIVERSITY OF BALTIMORE LAW REVIEW, Vol. 47, No. 3 (2018) Fostering Safety, Trust & Measurable Results: Evaluating Facilitated Police-Community Dialogue Programs, ACResolutions Magazine, September 2017.

Hourly Rate: $575.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $575.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: No additional charge for travel within a 50 mile radius of Baltimore, Maryland.

English

United States of America

Baltimore, Maryland