UWWM President and CEO John Upchurch recently announced that shareholders A. Michelle Jernigan, Robert A. 'Bob' Cole and Charles A. 'Chuck' Mancuso, based throughout Florida, have accepted an invitation to become equity principals, effective Jan. 1, 2021.

Three UWWM principals were nominated and recognized for their "experience and expertise as mediators in a broad spectrum of disputes across a variety of industries."

Ms. Brimmer officially joined Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group on Nov. 1.

One of UWWM's founding partners, Terrence "Terry" White, hosted the circuit's judicial nominating commission in the firm's Ormond Beach office twice, on Oct.2 and Nov. 2, 2020, for hybrid events with public observers, candidates and some commission members appearing via Zoom, and other commission members appearing in person.

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® collaboratively announced the release of is “Best Law Firms” rankings, including Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group as a Tier 1 firm for several specialties in four different metropolitan areas. Specifically, UWWM achieved Tier 1 rankings for arbitration and mediation in Birmingham, Ala., and Orlando, Fla., metros and for mediation in the Miami-Dade, Fla., metro. Additionally, the firm was awarded Tier 2 ranking for mediation in the Fort Lauderdale metro.

Not only do we have two panel members who were named Lawyer of the Year for metro areas in Alabama and Florida, but also Upchurch Watson White & Max achieved recognition in the 2021 edition of the "Top-Listed Report" from The Best Lawyers in America. We won the Top-Listed State Award for Mediation in Florida and Alabama and the Top-Listed City Award for Mediation in Birmingham. "The 'Top-Listed' designation is given to the firm that has the most recognized lawyers in a particular location and practice area."

The pandemic won't stop Florida's Dispute Resolution Center from holding its annual conference -- at least virtually -- from Aug. 13 to 15, 2020. Nor will it stop UWWM panelists Howard R. Marsee and Ana Cristina Maldonado from presenting their Continuing Mediator Education (CME) programs. Although Howard and Cristina are on at the same time, 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, organizers say all sessions will be recorded and available for attendees to view after the conference ends.

Seven UWWM mediators have been selected to Super Lawyers this year. Florida-based Reneé E. Thompson was chosen for Super Lawyers' Rising Stars from 2009 to 2014 and has been selected for Super Lawyers every year since then -- at first for her work in general litigation and later for alternative dispute resolution. Alabama-based shareholder George M. "Marty" Van Tassel has been selected every year since 2008 for ADR. Rodney A. Max, a UWWM principal, has been selected for many years since 2007 for ADR in both Alabama and Florida and is an honoree for 2020 as well.

As Mr. Lasseter makes the transition to working full-time as a mediator, he looks forward to working with lawyers, their clients and other decisionmakers to reach resolution rather than incur the risks and costs of trial.