Mediator Resume

Neutral arbitrator and mediator who brings real-world perspective from 16 years on the bench - 1,700 trials and 27,000+ civil matters resolved. Handles complex commercial disputes, high-exposure personal injury, trade secret theft, non-compete enforcement, and employment litigation.

Sandill Dispute Resolution - Third-Party Neutral Arbitrator, Mediator, Settlement Consultant and Court-Appointed Neutral

Neutral; Visiting Judge

Neutral, Sandill Dispute Resolution, 2024 - Present; State District Court Judge, Harris County, 2009 - 2024; Associate, Steele Sturm, PLLC, 2007 - 2008; Staff Attorney, McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC, 2006 - 2007; Managing Member, Sandill & Associates, PLLC, 2004 - 2006; Associate Attorney, Caldwell & Clinton, PLLC, 2002 - 2003; Briefing Attorney, First District Court of Appeals, Justice Murry Cohen, 2001 - 2002.

Arbitrator, mediator, and visiting judge serving parties in complex civil disputes. Over 17 years of experience as a neutral, including 16 years as a State District Court Judge where presided over 1,700 trials and resolved 27,000+ matters. Currently serve as visiting judge in Harris and Travis County handling civil litigation. Extensive experience with temporary restraining orders, temporary injunctions, non-compete enforcement, and employment disputes. Regular mediator of multi-party commercial litigation, personal injury cases, and trade secret matters. Known for efficient case management, practical risk assessment, and helping parties reach resolutions that preserve business relationships while protecting their interests.

Mediated 225+ cases since leaving the bench, with settlements ranging from five to eight figures. Handle high-stakes disputes across multiple practice areas: Personal injury matters including wrongful death, non-subscriber claims, governmental liability, Jones Act maritime cases, and premises liability; Complex commercial litigation involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, contract disputes, lost profits, professional liability, and governmental contract disagreements; Employment disputes including non-compete enforcement, Title VII discrimination claims, FLSA wage and hour violations, and executive compensation/termination; Real estate and eminent domain matters; and Experienced mediating with represented parties and pro se litigants, adapting my approach to ensure all parties can effectively participate in the process.

• Partnership dissolutions involving fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and lost profits; • Contract disputes with governmental entities; • Non-subscriber workplace injury cases against companies of all sizes; • Insurance coverage disputes with multiple parties and carriers; • Eminent domain takings involving raw land, improved property, and operating businesses; • Executive separation and C-suite termination negotiations; • FLSA wage and hour claims and other statutory employment claims against healthcare providers, consulting firms, small businesses, and manufacturers; • Disclaimer of reliance issues in M&A transactions and real estate deals; and • Personal injury cases ranging from soft tissue injuries to catastrophic harm and wrongful death, involving both adults and minors

I conduct preliminary phone calls with all parties to understand the case dynamics and tailor the mediation process accordingly. For complex litigation, I work collaboratively with counsel to design the most effective structure—whether that involves sequential party meetings, joint sessions, or multi-day mediations. My style balances efficiency with patience. I appreciate receiving concise mediation statements one week prior to allow thorough preparation. During mediation, I give parties meaningful opportunity to be heard, recognizing that the process often serves an important cathartic function beyond pure settlement negotiation. Drawing on 1,700 trials and 225+ mediations, I help parties assess litigation risk realistically while exploring creative solutions that preserve business relationships and avoid the uncertainty of trial. I remain flexible throughout the process, adapting my approach as the mediation evolves.

Proficient with Teams and Zoom for multi-party virtual mediations and arbitrations. Utilize AI tools to analyze case documents, identify key issues, and prepare efficiently. Experienced with decision tree software to help parties visualize litigation risk and evaluate settlement options. Proficient in ESI discovery.

University of Houston Law Center (J.D., Editor, Houston Journal of Int’l. Law - 2001); University of Texas at Austin (B.A., Government - 1998). Early Dispute Resolution Certification (2025); Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution (STCL, 40 Hour Mediation Training - 2024); Harvard Law School (Negotiation and Leadership - 2024); Center for Dispute Resolution (Certificate of Training in Mediation - 2024); University of Houston Law Center (Certificate, Domestic and International Arbitration - 2022).

Admitted to the Bar: Texas (2001).

American Bar Association, 2009 - Present; State Bar of Texas, 2001 - Present; Houston Bar Association, 2002 - Present; Texas Lyceum, Director, 2021 - Present; Leadership Houston, Class XXXII, 2014; American Leadership Forum, Class XXXIV, 2015; Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court, 2004 - 2019 (Board Member 2009-19); Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2012 - Present; Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, Fellow, 2010 - Present.

Presentation of Damages: What Works and What Doesn’t work in the Courtroom, Texas Bar CLE, February 2021 (presentation); How the Pandemic Has Changed the Practice of Law, Texas Bar CLE, April 2021(presentation); “Protecting Every Citizen’s Right to Participate in Jury Service.” Houston Lawyer, 2020 (article; co-author); Persuasion Techniques for Remote Hearings and Bench Trials, American Association for Justice, 2020 (presentation); Communicating with Judges: Motions, Conferences and More, National Business Institute, 2020 (presentation); “Promoting Diversity and Eliminating Economic Hardship from Jury Service through Supplemental Jury Pay.” Civil Jury Project Newsletter, 2019 (article; co-author)

Parties will not be charged for travel outside of the metro Houston area. Also, parties will not be charged if the mediation/arbitration is 2 or more days.

Hourly Rate: Not provided Daily Rate: $5,200.00 Study Rate: Not provided Cancellation: $5,000.00/Day Cancellation Period: 7 Days Comment: Cancellation within 7 days of the scheduled mediation date will be billed at the full daily rate. Rescheduling will not be charged. Any travel outside of the Houston, Texas metro area will be charged at $500 per travel day and any reasonable expenses associated with accommodations and/or airline tickets will also be charged. Travel rate will not be charged if the mediation lasts 2 or more days.

English

United States of America

Houston, Texas