About

About Me

Having been a trial lawyer for 30 years, I understand that, while some cases need to be tried, the vast majority do not.  I have mediated hundreds of cases, and am proud that my cases not only settle most of the time, but go forward with road maps for the parties' future dealings.  

The latter is crucial in family law cases, where families must find a way to get past the current crisis, and develop working relationships for the future.  Being married with three children means that I also have realistic expectations and experiences to draw upon.  No asset is more valuable than family, and I have been privileged to help families move forward through the worst chapters of their lives, to new beginnings, for over two decades.

Education & Professional Employment

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF LAW
J.D. 1994
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
B.A. 1990; High Honors
B.A.A. 1991; High Honors

TMCA Credentialed Advanced Mediator.   Mediation Practice for family law and civil matters; facilities for litigation support, family counseling, and alternative dispute resolution.

Commercial litigation, Construction law, appellate practice, and broad-based general practice in State and Federal Courts.

Complex litigation and appellate practice with emphasis in construction, commercial litigation, and employment law; state and federal court practice, arbitrations, and three years extensive experience in recruiting and business development.

About Mediation

Mediation is a confidential process used to resolve conflicts in an amicable manner. An impartial mediator directs the process and facilitates the communication between the parties in an effort to explore solutions and obtain a mutually satisfactory agreement.  The objective of mediation is for parties in conflict to participate in good faith in a dialogue regarding their dispute, to present their points of view, and to explore options for settlement in an effort to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution of their dispute.   The mediator is an impartial third party who is trained to listen to the parties, clarify the parties' issues, and facilitate communication to help the participants negotiate in a flexible, private setting.

Benefits of Business Mediation

Beyond saving money, individuals and businesses can garner many benefits from choosing to work with a mediator including:

Protect Confidentiality

One of the core benefits of mediation is that it is private. Court judgements are often available to the public which could hurt a company or individual’s reputation. By working with a mediator only the disputing parties are involved in the process.

Have Control

Unlike the court system, the final say in mediation belongs to the clients. While mediation does require individuals to compromise and work on an agreement, no final agreement can happen without your approval. This is much better than working through the court where it is entirely possible that you walk with nothing.

Save Time

For both employees and businesses, wasted time equates to wasted money. By streamlining the process of dispute resolution, mediators can help you get back to work quickly.

Maintain Relationships

By nature, mediation requires all parties to work collaboratively towards a solution that is mutually beneficial. And while it may be true that your business relationship or partnership is over, the bridge may be less burned so to speak. Traditional litigation on the other hand leads to outcomes where one side wins and the other loses. This type of outcome can permanently damage any working relationship.