Ricardo J. Cata, mediation counsel with Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group, will join three other panelists to discuss "Hot Topics in International Arbitration" for the International Litigation, Arbitration & (Business) Transactions Conference, presented by The Florida Bar International Law Section on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Conrad Hotel. In the upcoming panel discussion, presenters will speak on international commercial mediation, including legislation aimed at promoting international mediation agreements and the proposed UNCITRAL Convention on Enforcement of Mediated Settlements, plus other topics of interest.

Rodney A. Max, a principal and mediator with a Florida- and Alabama-based dispute resolution firm, will speak at the upcoming Perrin Conferences Products Liability Conference at the James Royal Palm. Rodney A. Max has been named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2015 for mediation in the Birmingham, Ala., and Miami metropolitan areas. Mr. Max, a named partner with Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group, is nationally known for this practice area and is Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2015 for mediation in not only the Birmingham, Ala., metropolitan area, but also the Miami area.

Upchurch Watson White & Max recently sponsored its first "Lean In" luncheon for 2015. This program was organized in 2013 and is loosely based on the writings of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and her book of the same name. Its goal is to educate, inspire and mentor women in the legal profession and provide them with a vital network. The latest "Lean In" topic was "Connecting with your Professional Destiny," led by Yvonne Yegge. Ms. Yegge is a private practitioner representing governmental entities on ad valorem tax issues. These luncheons are hosted quarterly in Maitland, Fla., by UWWM Shareholder Michelle Jernigan, UWWM Partner Kimberly Sands and Ms. Yegge.

Dispute resolution is the only thing Upchurch Watson White & Max does, and the group was recognized with "Tier 1" rankings for its mediation and arbitration services in and around three Southeastern U.S. cities earlier this month by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers. UWWM is the only firm solely focused on dispute resolution to be recognized as Tier 1 or top ranked in both mediation and arbitration in the Birmingham metropolitan area. In the Orlando area, it was the only firm to rank at the Tier 1 level for arbitration. And, in the Miami metro, UWWM received a Tier 1 ranking for mediation.