Mediator Resume

The Reid Firm, LLC - Owner Autry, Horton & Cole, LLP - Of Counsel

Attorney

Owner, The Reid Firm LLC, 2002 - Present; Partner, Reid & Morgan L.L.P., 1996 - 2001; Partner, Phillips & Reid, 1984 - 1996; Partner, Phillips & Mozley, 1977 - 1984; Partner, Hartley & Reid, 1975 - 1977; Associate, Swift Currie McGhee & Heirs, 1973 - 1975.

For approximately 33 years, practice has focused on the litigation, arbitrations and mediation of complex construction disputes as well as the drafting and negotiation of design agreements, project management agreements, and construction contracts. This experience has encompassed a wide variety of commercial projects including high-rise office structures, hospitals, hotels, shopping centers, industrial buildings, and hydroelectric plants. Since 1992, has represented a number of homeowners in construction disputes. Has also represented a small number of builders. Additionally, experience includes lecturing extensively on the subject of construction contracts and claims for a variety of institutions and organizations including George Washington University, Ohio State University, University of Georgia, University of Tulsa, University of Oklahoma, the United States Postal Service, The Washington Post, and Dillingham Construction Company. The programs presented have typically included lectures on various aspects of alternative dispute resolution including the arbitration and mediation process. Served as the Chairman of the State Ethics Commission of Georgia from 1990 to 1994.

Served as a mediator in approximately 1,000 commercial construction and other disputes. The majority of these disputes were conflicts between owners and general contractors or between general contractors and subcontractors. Mediated many multi-party construction disputes involving owners, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and sureties. Also mediated approximately 50 residential construction disputes between owners and general contractors. Served as a mediator in approximately 250 business disputes including real estate title disputes, brokerage commission disputes, stockholder dissolution disputes, a telecommunications contract dispute, an intergovernmental tax dispute, a wrongful discharge of employment disputes, and a sales promotion agreement dispute. The amount in dispute in these cases has ranged from a few thousand dollars to in excess of 10 million dollars.

Mediation experience in construction has involved a wide variety of issues including the following: claims for defective and deficient work, claims for untimely performance, wrongful termination claims, claims for differing site conditions, claims relating to alleged defective and deficient design, claims for non-payment, claims relating to complex geo-technical issues, change order claims and disputes, performance and payment bond dispute, and claims associated with building collapse and failure. These claims involved a wide variety of projects including office buildings, shopping centers, schools, site development projects, high-rise residential buildings, civil projects, airports, water treatment plants, and manufacturing facilities. Also mediated cases involving real estate surveying issues, intergovernmental tax issues, corporate dissolution issues, telecommunications contract issues, wrongful termination issues, and environmental contamination issues.

I am a strong and unequivocal proponent of mediation. I believe the mediator's responsibility is to serve as a proactive facilitator of the negotiation process. It is critical that the mediator fully understand the issues, and it is important for the mediator to probe the various positions of the parties in order to discuss the many reasons why a negotiated settlement may be preferable to the alternatives. Even in complex commercial cases, the mediator must also grasp the human element of the dispute and thus be prepared to work constructively with a variety of personalities and negotiating styles. I expect the attorneys to effectively explain the positions of their clients and advocate the positions when appropriate. I also expect the attorneys to work constructively in an effort to find an appropriate resolution. It is critical that the parties attend the mediation with the ability to make final decisions and with the authority to do what is necessary to resolve the problem. My style is very proactive in that I constantly question the assumptions of the parties and where helpful, challenge assumptions which may be serving as an impediment to settlement. I also am extremely reluctant to declare an impasse and in most cases I believe that patience, commitment, and determination will ultimately yield affirmative results.

Mercer University (JD, magna cum laude - 1973); University of Georgia, (BA - 1970).

Admitted to the Bar: Georgia (1973), District of Columbia (1987-inactive); Georgia Court of Appeals; The Supreme Court of Georgia; numerous U.S. District Courts; U.S. Court of Appeals: Fifth, Fourth, and Eleventh Circuits.

American Bar Association (Forum Committee on the Construction Industry); Georgia Bar Association; Atlanta Bar Association (Construction Law Section, Former Director); Lawyers Club of Atlanta.

Presenter, "Public Construction in Georgia: A New Approach for the Twentieth Century," 47th Annual Institute for City and County Attorneys, September 23, 2000; presenter, "Building in the New Millennium, Getting Ready for the Next 100 Years," National Association of Construction Owners, November 5, 1999; presenter, "Resolving and Preventing Construction Claims," City of Dallas, Texas, Water Utilities Department, September 16-17, 1999; presenter, "Payment and Performance Bonds: A Practical Guide for Municipal Owner," Georgia Municipal Association, June 28, 1999; presenter, "Construction Contracting: A School Board Perspective," Georgia School Boards Association, December 4, 1998; presenter, "Public Construction: Contracting and Claims," National Construction Law Center, November 16-17, 1998; "Mediation: A New Paradigm in Dispute Resolution," GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT, October 1998; presenter, "Contemporary Issues in Construction Procurement: The Local Government Perspective," Institute for City and County Attorneys, September 19, 1998; presenter, "Avoiding Construction Claims: A Contractor's Perspective," Star Building Systems' Annual Conference, July 18, 1997.

Hourly Rate: $725.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $725.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: In the event a mediation is cancelled within ten days prior to the scheduled date (and not rescheduled) a cancellation fee will be billed in the amount of $500 per party For mediations that required more than one hour of travel, travel time will be billed to the parties at one-half of the applicable hourly rate

English

United States of America

Atlanta, Georgia