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.

Upchurch Watson White & Max welcomes experienced dispute resolution professional Lawrence H. Kolin to its panel of neutrals this month. Mr. Kolin is an AV® peer-review rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and a Supreme Court of Florida Certified Circuit-Civil & Appellate Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator. He often handles resolution of complex multi-party cases.

Upchurch Watson White & Max mediators always work anywhere their services are engaged, but we took a big step forward on Nov. 4, 2013, by opening a convenient office with roomy conference spaces in Plantation/Fort Lauderdale. We recently celebrated the anniversary of the opening of our Plantation office with a dinner at the nearby Capriccio Ristorante, and now we've posted a Facebook album commemorating the event.

Florida born, raised and educated, attorney K. Judith "Judi" Lane will continue to serve the local legal community -- and the community at large -- as mediation counsel for Upchurch Watson White & Max. She will be based in the firm's Daytona Beach office but, like many UWWM mediators, able to travel nearly anywhere her services are needed. Ms. Lane has long been admired by members of the group as an excellent lawyer, and they welcomed her enthusiastically.