Mediator Resume

Thirty seven years of experience in complex business and investment litigation and arbitration together with 24 years as a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit civil mediator.

Clayton ADR

Attorney, Mediator

Mediator, Clayton ADR, 2024-Present; Shareholder, Icard Merrill, 2016-2024; Owner/Managing Partner, The Clayton Law Firm, P.A., 1996-2016; Attorney, Snyder, Groner & Schieb (aka Snyder, Clayton & Krawetz), 1993-1996; Attorney, Grady & Associates, 1992-1993; Attorney, Ravin Sarasota Cook Baumgarten Fisch and Baime, 1990-1992; Attorney, Wells, Garafalo & Jaworski, 1988-1990; Attorney, Feldman, Feldman, Hoffmann and Fiorello, 1987-1990.

Extensive experience in complex business, financial and investment-related litigation, as well as hundreds of securities arbitration cases (mostly customer cases, but several dozen industry disputes as well). Court cases were in state and federal courts in Florida, New York, and New Jersey, as well as pro hac vice appearances in other states. Many business cases involved disputes in closely-held corporations, corporate deadlocks, claims arising out of corporations attempts to raise money, and bankruptcy litigation, on occasion representing bankruptcy trustees in corporate liquidations. One case involved representation of a Florida governmental entity in federal court in a large securities lending case against a major national bank that resulted in a settlement of almost $24 million dollars, which was the largest recovery that governing body had ever received in litigation at that time.

Certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a circuit civil mediator in 2001. Mediated dozens of cases over the succeeding 20 years, many involving closely-held business disputes, securities claims, and homeowner associations. Starting in 2022, a more focused concentration on mediation in preparation for full-time mediation starting in January 2024.

Closely-held business disputes, alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, corporate governance disputes, alleged self-dealing, alleged financial mismanagement, capital-raising misconduct, claims between customers and investment advisors, investment advisors in disputes with their investment advisory firms, homeowner association disputes, and one very unusual and tragic high profile case (which was settled) where the parents of a murder victim sued the parents of her killer (and their attorney representative) alleging that they misled the victim’s parents to believe that their daughter was still alive.

As a Florida certified mediator, a facilitative approach to mediation is required. That said, questions posed by the mediator can assist the parties in evaluating the relative strengths and weaknesses of their respective positions.

Extensive experience with technology, including mediating by Zoom, using AI and other research methods to assist in the assessment of cases.

Seton Hall University (J.D.-1986; B.A.-1982).

Admitted to the Bar: Florida (1988), New Jersey (1987-inactive), New York (1987-retired).

National Association of Distinguished Neutrals; Sarasota County Bar Association; Judge John M. Scheb American Inns of Court (emeritus member).

How to Assess and Prosecute a Potential Investment-Related Cases, 2021 Why Civility Continues to Matter, The Docket, 2019

Hourly Rate: $475.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $475.00/hr Cancellation: $200.00/hr Cancellation Period: 7 Days Comment: Travel compensation is portal to portal. Depending upon means of transport, such as by commercial aircraft, and whether or not a hotel is required, this can be discussed as a flat fee or different hourly arrangement plus airfare and lodging. Cancellation fees will be charged for the amount of time reserved for mediation. A reserved one-half day session will be charged four hours; a reserved full day session will be charged eight hours. If a mediation is rebooked within 30 days and conducted within 90 days, then the cancellation fee will be credited against the final bill.

English

United States of America

Sarasota, Florida