Mediator Carl Schwait, recipient of The Florida Bar’s G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award, recently selected a deserving law student and awarded the associated Haas scholarship to him during the All Rise Program on Student Wellness and Mental Health at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

"Open Ninth" is part of a new communications plan put in place by the Florida Supreme Court that seeks to better connect the courts with citizens. Lawrence discusses his experience as a mediator and the important role of mediation as an effective tool of alternative dispute resolution in the justice system.

Upchurch Watson White & Max, a nationally leading dispute resolution firm with eight offices in Florida and Alabama, recently announced that mediator Charles A. "Chuck" Mancuso has become a shareholder. "Chuck's enthusiasm, energy, skill and overall professional performance, starting from scratch with us less than five years ago, is remarkable," John Upchurch, president and CEO of UWWM, said.

Don Weidner, a mediator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, has contributed this month's cover article to The Florida Bar Journal. "Leaving Law Firms with Client Fees: Florida’s Path" by Donald J. Weidner was recently posted to the journal's online edition. Don, who is also dean emeritus of Florida State University College of Law, has previously explored this issue in great depth, as he is the the Reporter for the Revised Uniform Partnership Act and literally wrote the book on it.

Steven Jaffe, known for his extensive litigation practice and charitable efforts, has joined Upchurch Watson White & Max as a mediator. He is making the transition to full-time neutral after serving as a partner at several well-known civil trial firms, most recently Fort Lauderdale-based Farmer, Jaffe, Weissing, Edwards, Fistos & Lehrman, PL. During his career as a litigator, Mr. Jaffe took part in more than 200 mediations and developed a true passion for the dispute resolution process

ORMOND BEACH, Fla., October 19, 2017 - A controversial speaking engagement today at the University of Florida in Gainesville and a state of emergency declared days in advance for Alachua County won't derail the plans of 19 mediators who are set to present an eight-hour educational program Friday at the university's Levin College of Law. The college's Institute for Dispute Resolution invited the mediators, all members of Upchurch Watson White & Max's panel of neutrals, to deliver eight hour-long presentations months ahead of this week's events. Topics include, fittingly enough, "Defusing Volatile Emotions," as well as advanced communication and negotiation skills

Honorees were recognized in mediation and arbitration practice areas, as well as appellate practice and product liability litigation - defendants. UWWM attorney mediators have been listed by Best Lawyers since 2005.

In keeping with its commitment to education and enrichment for attorney colleagues, Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group embarked on a sponsorship of the annual convention and seminar presented by Florida Chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates (FLABOTA) earlier this year. It's at least the eighth consecutive year UWWM has supported and sent representatives to the event.

Earlier this summer, Brandon Peters, dispute resolution counsel with Upchurch Watson White & Max, was part of the faculty for "Hot Topics in Evidence 2017," an annual seminar presented by the Florida Bar's Code of Evidence and Rules Committee and the Bar's Criminal Law and Trial Lawyers sections. His presentation, "Unspoken Evidence," is now available -- along with the seminar's eight other sessions -- as a CD or DVD recording. 

Five mediators from Upchurch Watson White & Max have formed unique teams to present cutting-edge programming for the 25th annual conference of the Florida Dispute Resolution Center this week at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando. For example, firm principals Rodney A. Max and Lawrence M. "Larry" Watson Jr. will discuss "Mediation in Public Policy" with state Sen. Gary Farmer of Fort Lauderdale in two 75-minute sessions on Friday. "Mediation in the last quarter of a century has proven itself as an effective process for resolving cases within the judicial branch of our government at the federal state, and local levels"; the presentation makes the case for extending the benefit of mediation -- effective and efficient decision-making -- to the legislative and executive branches as well, conference organizers explain.