Mediator Resume

Arbitrator and mediator - commercial, construction and personal injury disputes, following a 20-year litigation career representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Help parties reach closure in a just, timely, and efficient manner. Adept at keeping the parties focused on the issues and information sharing necessary to get to a hearing (arbitration) or negotiation (mediation) without distraction and delay. Available for live, hybrid, and Zoom hearings; and travel in North America.

Law Offices of Laura Bottaro, LLC - Owner

Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator

Arbitrator & Mediator, Law Offices of Laura Bottaro LLC, 2021-Present; Lead Mediator, Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island, 2019-present; Arbitrator, Rhode Island Superior Court Panel, 2021-present; Arbitrator, Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Program, 2025-present; Attorney, Arbitrator & Mediator, Bottaro Law Firm LLC, 2012-2021; Partner & Arbitrator, Little Medeiros Kinder Bulman & Whitney P.C., 2006-2012; Associate, Hill & Robbins P.C., 2000-2005.

Business, construction, and personal injury litigator (20 years) - complex business, fraud and misrepresentation, construction defect and delay, breach of contract and the covenant of good faith and faith dealing, and insurance coverage disputes. Arbitrator since 2009; mediator since 2019; concurrent with litigation practice. COMPLEX BUSINESS DISPUTES Breach of contract, fraud and misrepresentation, partnership disputes, investment agreements, receivership claims, and company audits/investigations. Clients included corporations, small and mid-size companies, general and limited partners, and individuals. Sample matters: * Advocate for general contractor filing claims in nursing home receivership seeking payment for renovations; claims required equitable subordination of primary lender's secured claim, insider relationships, and fraud - mediation resulted in favorable settlement * Advocate for business owner defending claims of fraud, misrepresentation, and warranty claims over sale of business - arbitration resulted in favorable award. * Advocate for individual in claims against mortgage lenders to invalidate mortgages forged by her ex-husband - favorable settlement for client after extensive discovery and depositions * Advocate for class of nationwide retailers against national satellite network company; won sanctions for improper communications with putative class members and discovery violations * Outside counsel for multinational energy corporation for compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-bribery laws; performed compliance audit in Poland COMPLEX RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES Construction defects (siding, roofing, concrete, framing, HVAC, brickwork, painting, site work, fencing, masonry), design, and delay claims. Represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and homeowners. Sample matters included: * Advocate for commercial building siding supplier in defense of claims for defective installation and defective product - resolved by settlement favorable to the client. * Advocate for university and general contractor in claims against subcontractors for defective installation of HVAC and plumbing units in university dormitories - resolved through settlement favorable to client * Advocate for owner of historic carriage house in claims against home inspection professional for failure to find obvious structural defects upon inspection at purchase of property - resolved on eve of trial through settlement favorable to client. INSURANCE COVERAGE DISPUTES Coverage disputes involving third-party construction claims arising from contractor bankruptcy, waiver, estoppel, notice and nonpayment defenses to personal injury claims. Sample matters included: * Advocate for individual seeking claims for catastrophic injury under exception to workers compensation coverage - favorable settlement followed successful summary judgment motion practice and decision. * Advocate for individual seeking federal court claims for catastrophic injury facing insurance company defenses of waiver and estoppel - favorable settlement followed mediation. * Advocate for family seeking right to jury trial and wrongful death claims against nursing home - favorable settlement followed successful trial and decision that arbitration agreement was signed without mental capacity and under unconscionable circumstances.

Full time commercial and construction neutral known for candor as much as warmth. Friendly, high-energy approach that puts parties at ease — with a willingness to be direct when a party stalls or obstructs the process, so momentum toward resolution isn't lost to gamesmanship. Resolves commercial, construction, consumer, and personal injury disputes ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 in dispute. Sample mediations include: * Sole mediator, dispute between general contractor and subcontractor on commercial building construction project involving delay, mismanagement, substandard performance, and Prompt Payment Act claims - resolved via settlement. * Sole mediator, dispute between homeowner and residential contractor on claims involving substandard workmanship for flooring installation and failure to cure - resolved via settlement. * Sole mediator, dispute between injured plaintiff and business on premises liability claims - resolved via settlement. * Sole mediator, dispute between inventor and manufacturer involving breach of contract, implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, exclusivity, and royalty fees claims - resolved via settlement. * Co-mediator, business succession planning and aquaculture oyster farm ownership transfer from older to younger generation - created succession plan. * Co-mediator, aquaculture shell fishing farm permit application to state regulatory agency, objections by neighbors - initial resolution for permit application to proceed at agency level. * Sole mediator, landlord/tenant disputes and small claims disputes with represented and self-represented parties, and interpreters are required, in Rhode Island District Court. Proficient in conducting hearings via Zoom, hybrid, and live formats.

Bad faith, breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, business succession planning, collection, commercial construction, construction delay, disruption to critical path, eviction, fraud, improper accounting on investment, misrepresentation, personal injury, premises liability, product licensing, royalty fee agreements, professional malpractice, Prompt Payment Act, residential construction, school administration, substandard performance.

Neutral facilitator. Partners with each side to 1) understand the issues and personalities involved, 2) create a comfortable and confidential process, and 3) allow the parties to be heard with empathy and understanding, moving from entrenched positions to a resolution mindset. PROCESS Pre-mediation call with counsel (and parties, if preferred) to lay out the issues and get a high level understanding of positions, followed by confidential pre-mediation calls to discern the major obstacles to resolution. Jointly determine whether opening sessions would help and what clients need to participate comfortably. Pre-mediation statements address issues, key evidence, damages, and prior negotiations. Requires good-faith participation, advance preparation, and attendance by key decisionmakers. STYLE My role is a neutral facilitator, but I vary my style throughout the mediation as requested or needed. I employ empathy and compassion to help clients feel heard and work through emotional obstacles to progress. I have represented both plaintiffs and defendants in mediation and understand the unique dynamics of each side. Party autonomy is important. I will only share my views of the parties' positions when requested and/or it appears that it will assist with resolution. If the parties are unable to resolve their matter, I will stay them, follow-up with counsel, and push for further negotiations which often leads to settlement. CONSUMER MEDIATION/SELF-REPRESENTED PARTIES Creates an environment in which both sides feel they are negotiating on an even playing field; helps parties overcome perceived differences in bargaining power, particularly where one side is represented and the other is not.

Familiar with software including: Zoom Facetime LoopUp Google Meet Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Quickbooks Microsoft Teams Microsoft PowerPoint Adobe Acrobat Clearbrief - closed loop AI for checking research and organizing evidence Experience with fully online and hybrid hearings, including breakout rooms. Has a sample ESI Agreement available for the parties if needed.

University of Colorado School of Law (J.D. - 2000) Northwestern University (B.A., with honors - 1993) AAA Advanced Mediation Training (2021) AAA Multi Party Mediation Training (2019) Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI 40 hour Mediation Training (2019).

Admitted to the Bar: Rhode Island (2006), Massachusetts (2006), Colorado (2000); U.S. District Court: District of Rhode Island (2007), District of Massachusetts (2007), District of Colorado (2000). Certified Mediator, Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island (2019).

Co-Chair, RI Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (2024-present) President and Board Member, Board of Directors, Center for Mediation RI (2020-2026) Board of Directors, RI Bar Foundation (2025-present) Panelist, MA Home Improvement Contractor Arbitration Program, Office of Consumer Protection and Business Regulation (2025-present) Hearing Officer, RI LEODPATA Hearings for allegations of law enforcement misconduct (2026-present) Graduate, Leadership Rhode Island (2007) Former Board Member, Save the Bay (RI)

Speaker, "Arbitration Roundtable: Arbitrators and Advocates Q&A About Modern Practice and Success Strategies," Rhode Island Bar Annual Meeting (June 2026) Speaker, "Mastering Mediation: Strategies to Settle Your Case,” Rhode Island Bar Annual Meeting (June 2025) Speaker, "Tribal Conflict Resolution: Foundations of Arbitration and Mediation," Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights Annual Gathering (April 2025) Speaker, “Building Mediation Skills In and Out of the Courts,” RI Judiciary/Center for Mediation (May 2024) Speaker, "Tips to Increase Your Success in Arbitration and Mediation," Rhode Island Bar Annual Meeting (June 2023) Author, "View from an Arbitrator, Tips to Increase Your Success in Arbitration” Rhode Island Bar Journal (July/Aug 2022) Speaker, “Overcoming Impasse: An Exploration of Strategies That Work,” Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI (January 2022)

Rhode Island

Hourly Rate: $525.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $525.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Will travel in North America. No charge for travel time. Travel expenses charged outside Rhode Island - train, gas, parking, air travel, overnight hotel stays, meals on hearing days.

English

United States of America

Providence, Rhode Island