Mediator Resume

Former Maricopa County, Arizona Superior Court Judge with 20 years of experience on the bench and 10 years of prior litigation experience.

RKD Mediations, LLC

Arbitrator, Mediator

Arbitrator/Mediator, RKD Mediations, LLC 2022-Present; Independent Bar Counsel, Arizona Supreme Court, 2023-Present; Senior Commissioner, Maricopa County Superior Court, 2023; Judicial Advisor/Mentor, Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Division of Child Protective Services, 2022; Superior Court Judge, Maricopa County Superior Court, 2012-2022; Superior Court Commissioner, Maricopa County Superior Court, 2002-2012; Managing Partner, Law Offices of Cunanan & McGuire, LLC, 1995-2002; Deputy Maricopa County Attorney, Office of the Maricopa County Attorney, 1992-1995.

Over 32 years of experience as either a private attorney, a public attorney, or a trial court judge. After serving 20 years on the Maricopa County Superior Court Bench, retired from the Superior Court in July of 2022. Superior Court Experience: Successfully presided over and managed Criminal, Civil, Probate, and Juvenile calendars in the fourth largest court of general jurisdiction in United States. Criminal matters included a variety of serious felony types, including aggravated assault, armed robbery, child molestation, and capital offenses. Civil calendar included a multitude of complex civil matters, including civil torts, wrongful death, medical malpractice, construction defect, and commercial transactions/liability. Juvenile calendar revolved around dependency of minors and severance of parental rights. Probate matters included guardianships, conservatorships, accountings, and will/trust litigation. Extensive trial experience. Implemented specific programs to improve the functioning of the court system with an emphasis on IT systems. Programs included streamlining case flow protocols, paperless case management systems, integrated video appearances in Superior Court proceedings and piloted various other technology-based solutions to improve court functioning and access to the judicial system. Private Practice Experience: Successfully managed private law practice which focused on criminal defense, personal injury, and domestic relations case types. Primary litigator for the firm. Cultivated new clients in both the public and private sector through targeted marketing techniques. Oversaw business aspects of the firm, including staffing, procurement, and account management. Public Practice Experience: Prosecuted and defended a wide array of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. Evaluated and negotiated the resolution of numerous cases without the necessity of trial. Extensive trial experience. Specialized in white collar and arson matters. Formerly certified as a Criminal Law Specialist by the Arizona State Bar while in private /public practice. Construction Experience: Former licensed General Contractor with an in depth understanding of residential and light commercial construction, both in terms of the business practice and the trades. Personal experience in almost all aspects of the construction process, including but not limited to design, permitting, dirt work, concrete and masonry, framing, roofing, insulation, electrical, plumbing, drywall, paint, and finish work. Gained this experience in a hands-on fashion, can easily relate to and understand the many aspects of the building process. Bar Disciple Matters: Effectively investigated and litigated complex conflict and special assignment disciplinary matters for the Arizona Supreme Court and the State Bar of Arizona.

Mediated matters through the Maricopa County Superior Court and as requested by individual attorneys in a variety of case types.

In-person, hybrid, or virtual based upon the case needs and party preferences.

In depth understanding of court and business system integration and management through technology driven resources. Microsoft Suite proficiency and CAD familiarity. Open to conducting arbitrations and mediations using online platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Willing to utilize hybrid procedures for case presentation.

Arizona State University College of Law (JD-1992); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA, Political Science-1989).

Admitted to the Bar: Arizona (1992); Arizona Supreme Court (1992); U.S. District Court: District of Arizona (1992).

State Bar of Arizona; Arizona Judges Association (Past President); Arizona Asian American Bar Association.

Served as a lecturer, panelist and speaker at events and meetings discussing case management, criminal law, mediation, diversity on the bench and in the legal system, digital evidence, technology in the courtroom, use of technology driven solutions by the Court, juvenile law, and community outreach programs.

Hourly Rate: $450.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $450.00/hr Cancellation: $1,000.00/Day Cancellation Period: 3 Days Comment: Travel outside Maricopa County Arizona to be discussed and agreed upon between the parties and the mediator.

English

United States of America

Phoenix, Arizona