Mediator Resume

Highly experienced civil trial attorney and mediator with 25 years of expertise advising insurance carriers, corporations, and individuals. Proficient at negotiating complex litigation in diverse industries, including insurance.

A Neutral Solution – Principal and Owner

Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator

Judge Pro Tempore, Maricopa County Superior Civil Courts, 2024-Present; Principal/Owner, Neutral Solutions, 2023-Present; Partner, Blue Williams LLC, 2022-2024; In-House Counsel, Farmers Insurance Exchange, 2007-2022; Attorney, Thamm & O'Briant, LLP, 2006 – 2007; Attorney, Ed Mattingly & Associates, LLP, 2006; Attorney, Powers & Slay, 2003-2005.

Extensive experience in insurance matters, including handling complex litigation, contractual issues involving insurance, and catastrophic injury claims. Experienced in civil litigation and jury trial work. Majority of practice devoted to issues related to insurance, including proper handling of first and third party claims.

Served as a mediator in over 90 cases, including international and domestic business disputes, personal injury, insurance (including global tenders to multiple claimants), and construction. At least one-third of these have involved multiple parties.

Virtually every type of civil case: breach of contract, tortious interference, personal injury, bad faith, global tender of limits with multiple parties, fraud, defamation, collections, eviction, construction.

When people ask about my mediation style, my honest answer is – it depends! I'd describe myself as adaptive and proactive. I like having separate phone calls with each attorney before we meet, which helps me understand the case and the personalities involved. This lets me customize how I approach each mediation. During the session, I'll either facilitate or evaluate, depending on what's needed. Two skills are absolutely essential in my work: active listening and mirroring. A good process begins with the parties providing complete information to the mediator before the mediation session. Position statements or briefs are not always necessary, but can help get the mediator prepared, particularly in complex matters. For this mediator, separate pre-mediation phone calls to each attorney are important. These can be a more efficient and informative approach than sending a traditional pre-mediation memo (depending on case complexity). Phone calls and/or memos are critical for getting the mediator prepared. All memos and supporting documents provided to the mediator should be read. Depending on the venue (and information provided), an independent review of the court's file for pleadings or relevant motions may be conducted. In some cases, a second pre-mediation call is scheduled. The more prepared the mediator is with regard to the "facts," the quicker the mediator can get to managing the intangibles, such as emotions, expectations, and ego. A mediator's style should be adaptable to the specific people involved and the nuances of the particular case. Some participants desire facilitation while others seek evaluation. Style also requires awareness of self, including striving to understand unconscious bias. Active listening is key for the parties.

Is technologically proficient, and 99% of mediations are conducted online, using Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc. In-person and hybrid meetings are also an option.

Texas Southern University (JD -2000); University of North Texas (BS -1995).

Admitted to the Bar: Texas (2000), Arizona (2019).

Association of Attorney Mediators; Texas Association of Mediators; Texas Mediator Credentialing Association; Maricopa County Bar Association, member; Maricopa County Bar Association Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee, Steering Committee member; Defense Research Institute (and the Women In The Law section), Steering Committee; Arizona Association of Justice, member; Arizona Black Bar, member; Houston Bar Association, member; Mindfulness in Law Society, member.

Author, “Empathy as a Foundation for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Law,” Maricopa Lawyer (February 2025) Author, “CLE recap: Top 10 Do’s & Don’ts in Civil Court,” Maricopa Lawyer, (November 2024) Contributing Author, “How do You Approach Confidentiality in Mediating Sensitive Cases?,” Mediator Experts, August 20, 2024 Presenter, "Constitution Week,” Arizona Bar Foundation (2024) Presenter, “Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Youth Justice Alliance (2024)

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Compensation rates, established by the AAA, are set forth in the applicable Consumer Mediation Procedures.

English

United States of America

Phoenix, Arizona