DAYTONA BEACH -- When Florida mandated a residential foreclosure mediation program two years ago, its creators hoped that joining lenders and borrowers together would plug the stream of foreclosure cases that swamped the court system. That hasn't come close to happening, lawyers and bankers say. Instead, many borrowers are leery of the free program's legitimacy, and few that actually go to mediation reach an agreement, as some lenders seem unwilling to work toward a deal.

DAYTONA BEACH -- The area's recently formed foreclosure mediation program is expanding its offerings to work with struggling homeowners before a foreclosure lawsuit has been filed. Daytona Beach-based mediation firm Upchurch Watson White and Max runs the program for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, which covers Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties. The program began in July 2010. Its goal is to use mediation to help homeowners avoid foreclosure and free up a clogged court system.

A number of Upchurch Watson White & Max principals and panel members have been selected for various seminars and speaking engagements throughout the state.

Principal  Rodney A. Max  delivered the Keynote Program  “Designing the Mediation”  at the August 24, 2011 Florida Mediation Institute seminar held...

Panel member, Sandra C. Upchurch was selected into the second class of Florida Association for Women Lawyers' Leaders in the Law. This designation is awarded annually to only a select group of attorneys from around the state who have been nominated by their local chapters and meet the criteria for the recognition.

Mike Orfinger is the primary trainer for the Florida Supreme Court Appellate Mediation Certification training program being held April 5,6, and 7 at the USF Campus in Tampa. Mike has also been selected to join a panel of distinguished mediators for a presentation at the ABA Litigation and Criminal Section Annual CLE Conference in Miami on April 15th.

Kimberly Sands will address attendees of the Annual ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar on Saturday, March 5th, in Tuscon, AZ. Joining a panel of 5, Kim's topic: "Institutional Bad Faith - PUtting the Insurer's Practices and Procedures on Trial."

Lawrence M. Watson Jr., principal with Upchurch Watson White & Max, has been selected to join a group of expert facilitators at the 8th Annual Advanced Mediation and Advocacy Skills Institute, presented by the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution.