Mediator Resume

Spent entire career as a litigator doing mostly commercial and technology cases, as well as software licensing. Served as an arbitrator along with law firm practice from the mid '80s to the present. Cases litigated and arbitrated were overwhelming business related with the majority involving entirely or partially engineering, science, or software disputes.

Independent Arbitrator and Mediator Taft Stettinius and Hollister LLP - Of Counsel

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Independent Arbitrator and Mediator, 2017-present; Of Counsel/Partner, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP (successor by merger to Kahn Kleinman, LPA), 2008- 2016; Principal/Associate (1971-1978), Kahn Kleinman Co. LPA, 1979-2008.

Over 40 years of experience as an arbitrator in technology and commercial cases. Fifty years of experience as a civil litigation lawyer, focusing on providing legal advice and litigation ADR services to technology companies and other businesses facing engineering technology-related issues. Practice encompassed aspects of engineering design, software performance, intellectual property, trade secrets, and employee non-compete issues, including buying, selling, developing, implementing, and licensing hardware, software and other technology. Also represents clients in litigating cases involving engineering design, avionics design, military equipment, computer software, polymers, electronics, optics, structures, mining systems and equipment, materials, antitrust, patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret, contract, construction, employee non-compete agreements, environmental regulation, civil rights, zoning and real property matters and other complex business cases. Time equally divided representing plaintiffs and defendants. Successful as defense attorney in nationally prominent case of U.S. v. Schafer (Kent State National Guard criminal trial) in 1974. Has appeared before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Federal Circuits and the U.S. Supreme Court. Former Chair of the Visiting Committee, Case School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University 1994-99. Member of the Case Advisory Board. Heard and decided cases involving computer software, machine design, aircraft engine failure, patents, copyrights, utility rate setting, power generation facilities, minerals, biotech devices and research, construction and design of complex buildings, and other business and technology disputes.

Mediated numerous cases involving technology and business disputes for the AAA, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Cuyahoga County Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court, and independently engaged. Special master for U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Mediated numerous cases involving engineering and technology issues, including, dispute regarding mineral supply contract, three cases involving multi-million dollar enterprise software installations, one involving polymer formulations, and one involving destruction by fire of a large store due to an alleged defective electrical device. Mediated several intellectual property cases, one involving trademarks and related Meta data on a website, a patent dispute, and a copyright dispute regarding architectural drawing and designs. Has also mediated many commercial cases including truck part manufacturing and supply contract, shopping center lease disputes, international moving tariffs and fees, and bankruptcy preferences. Mediated at dispute between a national organ transplant coordinating organization and transplant service provider. Finally, has successfully mediated two employment disputes. One involved a teacher and a board of education, and the other a hospital and an employee.

Issues have included: Truck part supply contract, enterprise software implementation agreement, meta data and trademark infringement; change in chemical formulation of polymer raw materials and resulting manufacturing issues; failed implementation of an enterprise software system; ownership of and credit for award-winning architectural design; cause of electrical fire that severely damaged a retail store; calculation of shopping center rental and renewal rights; fees due for damaged goods shipped internationally; rights on termination of a teacher's contract for cause; wrongful termination of employee, and; preference claims in bankruptcy.

I believe that the vast majority of business-related disputes can and should be settled. It is the parties who are best able to determine what is in their best interest through, rather than, a third party, judge, jury or arbitrator imposing a resolution. However, settlement efforts often need assistance from a neutral outsider. The role of the mediator is to assist the parties in reaching a resolution that they can accept. As a mediator, I try to find out the needs and concerns of the parties first. I believe in giving each party an opportunity to express their position in a non-confrontational manner to both educate the other party as to their claims, positions, and concerns as well as to humanize each party. Often, disputes arise because one or both parties do not have all of the facts. Consequently, I try to encourage the sharing of facts that could assist in a resolution. Sometimes, I find it helpful to provide a reality check to one or both parties, who may have unrealistic understandings of the litigation process, the law, key facts, their likelihood of success or a realistic recovery. I generally try to work to a win-win resolution, encouraging and assisting the parties to develop mutually beneficial business solutions that could not be the result of a court judgment or arbitration award. However, I try never to forget that the process belongs to the parties. It is their settlement, not mine. Consequently, I try to build consensus and agreement, sometimes with some prodding, but without undue pressure.

Arbitrated and mediated numerous case either fully or partially on Zoom. All preliminary hearings are held on Zoom or other platforms. Fully arbitrated case on zoom and fully mediated multiple cases on Zoom. As a lawyer and arbitrator have dealt in depth with multiple types of software that were the subject matter of the disputes including multiple enterprise software installations for various industries, medical/nursing home accounting software, engineering design software among others. Regularly deal with ESI from multiple aspects. Served on bar committee that developed the Court's local rules regarding ESI, developed clients ESI procedures, dealt with ESI in multiple litigations and arbitrations. Conversant with technology generally due to degree in engineering focusing on engineering physics.

Harvard University (JD, cum laude-1971); Case Western Reserve University (BS, Engineering, with high honors-1968).

Admitted to the Bar: Ohio (1971); U.S. District Court: Northern (1973) and Southern (2005) Districts of Ohio, Eastern District of Wisconsin (2007); U.S. Court of Appeals: Sixth (1977), Federal (1994), Tenth (1995) and Eleventh Circuits; U.S. Court of Claims (1982); U.S. Supreme Court (1977).

Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center (Tech List Appointee, Executive Committee and Board Member), American Bar Association (Dispute Resolution Section; Litigation Section; Computer Software Committees; P); Cleveland Bar Association Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Former Trustee; Member ADR Section, Past Chair; Courts Rules Committee, Past Chair, Certified Grievance Committee, Judicial Selection Committee, Past Chair; Computer Law Institute, (Founder), Professionalism Task Force. Ohio State Bar Association, Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (London), Fellow College of Commercial Arbitrators. Silicon Valley Arbitration Association, Tech List Appointee, Executive Committee Member, Program Committee, Co-Chair.

"Arbitrating Technology/Engineering/IP Disputes, Faster, Better, Cheaper and More Predictable Resolutions", Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, July/August 2024, p.p. 26-27; Diamant, Michael H., et al. “Arbitrating Technology Cases: Considerations for Businesspeople and Advocates.” ADR Advocacy, Strategies, and Practices for IP and Technology Cases. Ed. Harrie Samaras, Chicago: ABA, Section of Intellectual Property Law, 2017. pp, 359-418. TECHNOLOGY MEDIATION, What's the Problem?, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, July/August 2017; ADR in Technology and Applied Science Cases, A Better Way, Dispute Resolution Journal, Volume 70, No. 1, p.p. 77-83, Effective ADR in Technology and Applied Science Cases, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, July/August 2014. Multiple local seminars regarding ADR generally and with regard to intellectual property and commercial contracts specifically. Speaker, "Tips from Mediators," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, January 10, 2012. Speaker: "Effectively Representing Your client in Arbitration," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, November 19, 2009; "Using Mediation, Arbitration, or Other ADR Techniques to Assist in Settlement," Litigating Trademark, Domain Name and Unfair Competition Cases, ALI/ABA, October 19-20, 2006; "Strategies for Mediation and Other Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution," Litigating Trademark, Trade Dress, and Unfair Competition Cases, ALI/ABA, May 19-20, 2005; "Strategies for Mediation and Other Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution," Litigating Trademark, Trade Dress, and Unfair Competition Cases, ALI/ABA, April 22-23, 2004; "Representing your Client Effectively in Mediation and Arbitration," Litigating Trademark, Trade Dress, and Unfair Competition Cases, ALI/ABA, January 3-4, 2002; "Alternatives to Going to Trial, Settlement and ADR Methods," Litigating Trademark, Trade Dress, and Unfair Competition Cases, ALI/ABA, December, 7-8, 2000; "Alternatives to Trial," Litigating Trademark, Trade Dress, and Unfair Competition Cases, ALI/ABA, November 18-19, 1999.

Northern Ohio and Cape Cod/Boston Area

Hourly Rate: $600.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $600.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Travel time and expenses outside of Northeast Ohio or Wellfleet, MA additional. Cancellation: No charge except for non refundable tickets and hotel reservations.

English

United States of America

Shaker Heights, Ohio