Ricardo Cata, a Miami-based mediator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, increasingly finds himself at the center of academic and practical discussions about international commercial dispute resolution -- at a time when Miami is being touted and is growing as a hub for international arbitration. First among Ricardo's current engagements is his organizational service to the 2016 International Litigation, Arbitration & Transactions (ILAT) Conference at the city's Conrad Hotel on Friday, Feb. 26.

Kimberly Sands, a principal with Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group, has been invited back to speak at the annual Windstorm Insurance (WIND) Conference and plans to tell "The Truth About Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Litigation" for breakout sessions on days 2 and 3 of the four-day event. Ms. Sands -- along with fellow attorney faculty members Donna DeVaney Stockham of Stockham Law Group, P.A.; Gerald Albrecht of Butler Weihmuller Katz Craig; and Finley T. Harckham of Anderson Kill -- will present "a multi-discipline, 360 degree perspective of bad faith litigation." Organizers say the goal of the program is "to provide the attendees with the bad-faith knowledge necessary to effectively represent their clients. Attendees will leave the program with a better understanding of how bad faith affects the claims they are handling for their clients, which will lead to better results and greater success."

Lawrence Kolin, a mediator and arbitrator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, is one of only 50 attorneys to be honored as The National Law Journal's 2015 Litigation Trailblazers. He plans to accept his award at a reception honoring the distinguished recipients in New York City on Dec. 14. "The National Law Journal proudly recognizes the people who have truly 'moved the needle' in facilitating the changing ways that law firms conduct business," says Kenneth A. Gary, the journal's vice president and group publisher. "Whether it be technological developments, operational efficiencies, marketing and business development breakthroughs or research – we think this list embodies the spirit that will shepherd and shape modern law firms as a business going into 2016 and beyond."

Mediator Ricardo J. Cata's article "International Commercial Mediation: A Supplement to International Arbitration" has been published in the fall 2015 issue of the International Law Quarterly, produced by the International Law Section of The Florida Bar. Mr. Cata is developing this innovative practice area, both on his own and Upchurch Watson White & Max's behalf. He sees the advantages to parties who add mediation to the process when engaged in arbitrated cross-border disputes as four-fold and offers advice about this relatively new practice.

The Volusia/Flagler Association for Women Lawyers will present mediator Judi Lane, speaking on the topic "Gender and the Mediation Process -- Does Gender Even Matter?" at a Thurday, Nov. 12, luncheon. Upchurch Watson, White & Max is co-sponsor of the luncheon, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Halifax River Yacht Club, 331 S. Beach St. in Daytona Beach, Fla.