Mediator Resume

A dedicated and highly experienced State Court Judge with 33 years of distinguished service in civil litigation. Proficient in handling complex litigation, including contractual matters, multi-party disputes, insurance claims, product liability, employment law, and construction cases. Recognized for a commitment to fairness, judicial integrity, and a deep understanding of complex legal principles. Adept at managing high-stakes litigation, ensuring timely and efficient proceedings, and rendering prompt, well-reasoned decisions that uphold the law while balancing equitable considerations. Demonstrates exceptional legal acumen, leadership, and a deep respect for judicial ethics.

Judge Robert L. Childers (Ret.) Arbitration & Mediation Services - Owner

Attorney, Retired Judge, Mediator, Arbitrator

Arbitrator/Mediator, 2017-Present; Circuit Court Judge (retired), State of Tennessee, 1984-2017; Attorney, Law Offices of Robert L. Childers, 1978-1984; Attorney, Law Offices of James F. Schaeffer, 1975-1978.

With a distinguished judicial career spanning over three decades presiding over more than 500 civil jury trials and deciding over 2,000 non-jury cases. Experience includes resolving a wide range of complex and multi-party litigation, involving product liability, professional negligence, property damage, punitive damages, contract disputes, declaratory judgment actions, employment disputes (wrongful termination, discrimination, etc.), Condominium, homeowner association disputes, workers compensation, business disputes, shareholder derivative actions, civil rights, defamation, and condemnation/eminent domain. In the commercial arena, handled numerous contract, insurance, and business disputes involving small, medium, and large firms, involving shareholder derivative actions, partnership disagreements, and complex financial claims. In construction-related cases, adjudicated disputes involving residential, commercial, and public projects, requiring interpretation of construction contracts, assessment of defect claims, and resolution of payment and performance issues. Healthcare liability experience includes presiding over cases involving medical malpractice, institutional negligence, and insurance coverage disputes. Now handling as arbitrator, healthcare-related claims, including those involving complex regulatory issues, provider-patient conflicts, and liability assessments and deciding using a balanced approach that considers both legal standards and the nuances of healthcare delivery. In the employment law field, resolved cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, wage and hour claims, and employment contract disputes. Currently deciding employment matters arising from both private and public sector contexts, with a focus on fair process and legally sound outcomes. Additionally, decided numerous dispositive motions and discovery disputes, including those involving eDiscovery.

While serving as general jurisdiction trial judge conducted approximately 100 Judicial Settlement Conferences (mediations) in all types of civil matters. Since retiring from the bench, have conducted more than 150 mediations in all types of civil matters, including complex and multi-party cases. Has served as Arbitrator in cases involving personal injury and employment matters. Served as court-appointed Special Master in divorce case involving multi-million-dollar marital estate and evaluating value of multiple parcels of real estate. Has also served as Umpire in insurance fire/water damage claims exceeding $100,000.

Personal injury issues: negligence, causation, damages. Product liability issues: negligence, breach of warranty, strict liability, damages, punitive damages. Breach of contract issues. Insurance policy exclusions. Defamation cases/intentional torts. Employment cases: retaliatory discharge, discrimination, damages. Wrongful death cases: negligence, damages. Healthcare liability issues: negligence, standard of care, damages, punitive damages. Family law issues: Custody, child support, division of marital estate.

I use my 33 years of experience as a trial judge to point out to both sides the risks that I see to each side of the case. I require confidential pre-mediation statements from each party, as well as any other documentation the parties deem important to a successful mediation. I carefully review all that information before the mediation. I often confer separately with the parties’ attorneys before the day of mediation to understand the dynamics of the case and any other information that could hinder settlement of the case. I tailor the structuring of the mediation sessions, and my role in the mediation, to respond to particular personalities, interests, damages, etc., at stake.

Highly proficient in leveraging technology to conduct hearings, conferences, and case proceedings in virtual environments. Experienced in utilizing the Zoom platform for seamless remote hearings, ensuring effective communication and timely case management. Also proficient with Microsoft Teams for collaborative discussions. Adept at facilitating virtual proceedings with professionalism, maintaining efficiency and accessibility while adapting to evolving technological advancements in the legal field.

University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (JD-1974); University of Memphis (BBA-1971).

Admitted to the Bar: Tennessee (1975); US District Court: Western District of Tennessee (1976); US Supreme Court (1987).

American Bar Association; Tennessee Bar Association; Memphis Bar Association; Mindfulness in Law Society.

"Healthy Minds, Successful Futures: Wellbeing in Legal Education", International Bar Association Webinar. April 2025. "Attorney Wellness Hour: Preventing Attorney Burnout", TN Bar Assn Annual Meeting, June 2024. "Mindfulness and the Path to Lawyer Well-Being", Mindfulness in Law Society Conference & Retreat. June 2023. "What's the Latest with the ABA & TBA Lawyer Wellbeing Efforts?" Camp TLAP. March 2023. "Dancing With the Dragon: Building Resilience in the Midst of Crisis", ABA Senior Lawyers Division Webinar. September 2022. "Changing the Legal Culture: Why We Need It & Who's Responsible to Make It Happen?", Memphis Bar Assn Bench-Bar Conference, September 2022. “Mediation and Arbitration: 2021 and Beyond”, Tennessee Attorneys Memo 18th Annual Family Law Conference for Tennessee Practitioners. Nashville, TN. December 2021. “ADR During the Pandemic”, Tennessee Attorneys Memo 17th Annual Family Law Conference for Tennessee Practitioners. Nashville, TN. December 2020.

Tennessee

Hourly Rate: $500.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $500.00/hr Cancellation: $500.00/hr Cancellation Period: 5 Days Comment: Willing to travel to Tennessee

English

United States of America

Jensen Beach, Florida