FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fred Lauten, a former judge, picks up his first listing for ADR
Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group (UWWM) is proud to announce that 13 current members of its panel and one retired panel member are included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. The honorees represent both long-standing leaders in mediation and arbitration, along with more recent panel additions recognized for excellence in trial and litigation
Frederick J. Lauten, based in Orlando, Fla., earned his first listing for Mediation, following his distinguished career as Chief Judge of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit and his current service as a UWWM mediator. The other listed UWWM mediators and arbitrators are:
- John J. Upchurch (Ormond Beach, Fla.) – Recognized since 2007, Arbitration and Mediation.
- Lawrence M. Watson Jr. (Orlando, Fla.) – Recognized since 2005, Arbitration and Mediation.
- Rodney A. Max (Miami, Fla.) – Recognized since 2006, Mediation.
- Terrence M. White (Ormond Beach, Fla.) – Recognized since 2014, Mediation.
- John B. Marion IV (West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Recognized since 2024, Mediation.
- Michael B. Walls (Birmingham, Ala.) – Recognized since 2010, Mediation.
- George M. Van Tassel Jr. (Birmingham, Ala.) – Recognized since 2006, Mediation.
- Brad Wash (Birmingham, Ala., retired earlier this year) – Recognized since 2015, Mediation.
- Arthur J. “Art” Hanes Jr. (Birmingham, Ala.) – Recognized since 2008, Arbitration and Mediation.
- Alan C. Espy (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) – Recognized since 2022, Personal Injury Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Insurance Litigation and Estates and Trusts Litigation
- Robert E. Cooper (Birmingham, Ala.) – Recognized since 2006, Legal Malpractice Law, Health Care Litigation, Insurance Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation.
- F. Bradley Hassell (Ormond Beach, Fla.) – Recognized since 2018, Personal Injury Litigation.
- Vincent M. D’Assaro (Orlando, Fla.) – Recognized since 2018, Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation.
About Upchurch Watson White & Max
Upchurch Watson White & Max is a nationally recognized mediation firm headquartered in Florida and Alabama, with a panel of highly skilled neutrals who handle cases throughout the Southeast and beyond. The firm is committed to providing effective, creative and professional dispute resolution services.
For more information, visit www.uww-adr.com.
Media Contact:
Catherine Klasne
Upchurch Watson White & Max
(800) 264-2622
cklasne@uww-adr.com