Mediator Resume

Experienced mediator, arbitrator and attorney whose practice focuses on insurance law and risk management, construction law, and business and civil litigation. Licensed property and casualty insurance broker and certified Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist (CRIS) with extensive experience in contractual risk transfer, complex insurance programs and related issues.

Cox, Castle & Nicholson - Partner JMA Mediation - Founder

Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator

Partner, Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, 2024-Present; Partner, Gibbs Giden, 2019-2024; Founder, JMA Mediation, 2018-Present; Senior Broker, RT Specialty, 2015-2018; Founding Partner, ANV LLP - Domine Adams LLP, 2002-2015.

Attorney with over 20 years of experience in the areas of construction, insurance and risk management, common interest development (HOA), business and civil litigation. Licensed property & casualty insurance broker and certified Construction Risk & Insurance Specialist (CRIS). Extensive experience with high-end single family homes, developers, contractors, subcontractors, designers and other construction professionals at all stages of the construction process. Typical issues include contract disputes, procurement and evaluation of insurance programs, project closeout, delays, insurance claims and disputes and litigation through trial or arbitration. Placed countless residential and commercial OCIPs, CCIPs and other complex insurance programs throughout the country as a licensed insurance broker and CRIS. Possess real world knowledge regarding construction insurance markets, carriers, forms, endorsements and available coverage which provides valuable insight regarding contractual risk transfer and the procurement of general liability, property (builder’s risk) and other insurance programs. Previously represented homeowner’s associations (HOAs) as general counsel, handling all aspects of association needs including day-to-day management, governing document drafting/enforcement, contract formation/negotiation, collections, dispute resolution litigation and appeal.

Served as a neutral for several organizations as detailed below. Founder of mediation firm focused on resolving disputes in the areas of insurance and construction. Have also participated in countless complex, high-value mediations and arbitrations in over 20 years of practice as a litigator. Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation – Mediation and Conflict Management Mediation Certification - American Institute of Mediation - Commercial and Litigated Cases AAA Arbitrator and Mediator Pepperdine Law - Mediation and Arbitration Santa Monica Superior Court: Court Appointed Mediator/Settlement Officer Los Angeles Superior Court: Mandatory Settlement Conference Settlement Officer Department of Consumer and Business Affairs/Los Angeles Superior Court: Court appointed mediator in Small Claims, Limited Jurisdiction and Unlawful Detainer departments (often successfully mediated several matters in one day). Community Associations Institute (CAI) Mediation Panel

I approach mediation with a pragmatic and results-oriented mindset, shaped by over 20 years as a litigator, mediator, and arbitrator. Experience has shown me that litigation is often a costly and inefficient path, while settlement typically provides the most practical and beneficial resolution. As Abraham Lincoln wisely observed: “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser — in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man.” Every mediation is unique, driven by the specific facts, personalities, and motivations of the parties involved. My role is to facilitate productive discussions, identify common ground, and help parties reach a resolution that makes sense for all involved. My extensive insurance background uniquely positions me to navigate insurance-related issues, which frequently influence settlement negotiations. The availability and scope of insurance coverage often determine whether a case can be resolved, and my deep understanding of these complexities allows me to guide parties toward informed and strategic outcomes.

Extensive experience facilitating Zoom mediations and arbitrations.

Pepperdine University School of Law (JD-2001); Central Michigan University (BS, Cum Laude-1998).

Admitted to the Bar: California (2001); US District Court: Central District of California. Property & Casualty Broker/Agent – California; Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS).

American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law; Associated General Contractors (AGC); Southern California Contractors Association (SCCA); Fellow, Construction Law Society of America; Community Associations Institute (CAI); California Association of Community Managers (CACM).

Published author and speaker at seminars across the country regarding high level construction, risk management and insurance topics. Contribute to treatises for construction industry professionals and other lawyers regarding dispute resolution, including publications by Wolters Kluwer Law & Business (California Construction Law – Chapter 14, “Alternative Dispute Resolution”), and the California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) (California Construction Contracts, Defects and Litigation- Chapter 7, “Arbitration”). Frequent speaker and educator on construction law for organizations including the ABA, Beverly Hills Bar Association and California Association of Community Managers, and was a featured speaker at both the February 2021 and September 2021 ABA Forum on Construction Law meetings. Publications: J. Adams (Co-Author and Update Author), Chapter 7, “Arbitration”, California Construction Contracts, Defects and Litigation, Continuing Education of the Bar (Cal. CEB 2020); (Author) Risk Management and contract negotiations – are you in breach of the contract as soon as you sign it? Financier Worldwide (2020); (Co-Author) California Construction Law, 18th Ed. Supplement (Wolters Kluwer Law and Business 2020), Chapter 14, “Alternative Dispute Resolution,” (2019); (Co-Author) Ruling Closes the Loop on Restrictive Additional Insured Endorsement – Reasonable Expectations of Insured Builder Prevails Over Intent of Insurer Construction Defect Journal, August (2019); (Author) Stormy Skies Ahead? Important News Regarding a Hard Construction Insurance Market General Counsel News, August (2019); (Author) The Art of Leading A Successful Board Meeting (PDF)Channels of Communication (CAI), (2019); (Author) Sinking Buildings on the Rise? (PDF)Construction Defect Journal, (2019); (Author) Owners’ Insurance Barred in Reimbursement Action Against Tenant Construction Defect Journal, (2019); (Author) Evidence at trial: Mistakes I made so you don’t have to. Advocate Magazine. Speaking Engagements: Beverly Hills Bar Association – CLE Presentation – Homeowner-Contractor Disputes and the Right to Repair Act, 2021; ABA Forum On Construction Law, Regional Program – Construction Insurance, 2021; CACM Southern California Law Seminar, Protecting the HOA from Liability, 2021; ABA Forum On Construction Law, Construction Insurance, 2021;West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar, The Impact of Builders Risk Coverage on Construction Defect Claims, 2020; CACM Southern California Seminar and Expo, Moving Out, 2020; Advanced Topics in Additional Insured Risk Transfer; Emerging Issues in Insurance Coverage and Risk Transfer; Summit: Construction Defect Roundtable; Construction Practice Group Seminar; Construction Insurance University; The Seminar Group – Wrap Insurance: Faculty presenter for certified continuing education seminar given to attorneys, contractors and insurance professionals regarding wrap-up insurance policies and broker issues.

Hourly Rate: $865.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $865.00/hr Cancellation: $865.00/hr Cancellation Period: 5 Days Comment:

English

United States of America

Los Angeles, California