Mediator Robert A. “Bob” Cole Co-Chairs ABOTA Educational Program in Jacksonville
Mediator Robert A. “Bob” Cole spent Dec. 8, 2015, teaching high school students about the 7th Amendment right to trial by jury in civil cases and is geared up to do it again next week. His teaching stint is part of a new program presented by chapters of the American Board of Trial Advocates; he is co-chair of the Jacksonville chapter’s 7th Amendment Symposium effort. “With this and the Teachers Law School, we are building a strong relationship with our school district,” Bob says. “We are doing another program Dec. 15, 2015, and plan to do two more in 2016.”
Cumberland Law Review Presents Mediator Rodney Max at Nov. 20 Symposium
The Cumberland Law Review will present “The Alabama Trial Attorney: Litigation Lessons from Birmingham’s Finest,” featuring mediator Rodney A. Max as one of five speakers, at Cumberland School of Law on the Samford University campus. Organizers say the Nov. 20 event promotes the law school’s commitment to continuing legal scholarship by providing a forum for outstanding trial lawyers — and, in Mr. Max’s case, a former trial attorney and 21-year mediator who is now well-known nationally — to share their expertise with other legal professionals.
Mr. Max, a principal with Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group, will deliver his talk, titled “Mediation: Its Place in the Litigation Zoo” at 9:10 a.m., just after opening remarks from Henry Strickland, dean of the Cumberland School of Law and Cody Walker, managing editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
Shareholder Robert A. Cole Nominated for ABOTA Foundation Trustee
Shareholder/mediator Robert A. “Bob” Cole has accepted a nomination to become a 2016 ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates) Foundation Trustee. One of the current trustees will complete a three-year term at the end of the year, leaving a vacancy on the board. “I am truly honored to be nominated for this trustee position along with John (Kim) and Peter (W. Riley),” Bob wrote as part of his candidate statement. “I have been an active member of ABOTA for 25 years, serving as an MIT (Masters in Trial) chair for the Jacksonville chapter, FLABOTA president, FLABOTA board representative and national board representative for the Jacksonville chapter.”
Who-Who-Who is at Our Plantation Office?
Attorneys and their clients at our Plantation office recently have been fascinated to see a seemingly interested observer right outside the window, Nibbles the great horned owl. Two of our mediators, Judy Bass and Bob Zwicky, look at the symbol of wisdom as a good omen encouraging successful resolutions. “The clients love him and are always taking his picture,” case manager Heidi Cohen says
How Professionalism Can Help in a Negotiation
Writer and mediator Howard R. Marsee knows more than a thing or two about professionalism, and he is sharing in a big way this month. First, he has published an article titled “Reflections: Professionalism as a Tool of Negotiation” in the fall 2015 edition of The Professional, a publication of the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. Then, on Monday (Sept. 21, 2015), Howard will follow up by presenting the latest in Upchurch Watson White & Max’s CLE Webinar series.
How Does Class Action Insurance Work?
In cases where a defendant is concerned about the financial impact of a settlement, accounting implications, or the risk going forward, we recommend engaging a specialty risk consulting firm to assist in providing a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the settlement risk, and to help structure a settlement underwritten by insurance. Most importantly, this provides a mechanism to achieve a full risk transfer of the liability through the use of a specialty insurance product. Often, a claims-made settlement structure, acceptable to class counsel and the court, is negotiated. The insurance company issues the appropriate policy with limits adequate to fund it at a substantially lower total cost than a common fund.
The Seven Deadly Sins in Business Negotiations
Approved 1.0 Hr. FL Bar CLE Credits
1.0 General
Course # 1506350N
until 2/28/2017
Presented by: K. Judith “Judi” Lane and Kimberly…
We Remember South Florida Mediator, Arbitrator, Teacher Mel Rubin
The day after we posted our remembrance, a beautifully written obituary was published by The Miami Herald. For more details about Mr. Rubin’s…
UWWM Founding Principal Larry Watson Wins Press Excellence in ADR Award
One of the first orders of business at the 23rd annual conference of the Florida Dispute Resolution Center was to present Lawrence M. “Larry” Watson Jr., a founding principal of Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group, with the Sharon Press Excellence in ADR Award. At the July 31, 2015, opening plenary session, Janice M. Fleischer, outgoing director of the DRC, commented she was glad to be taking part in honoring Mr. Watson at the final DRC conference over which she will preside. She explained the Press Award is not given annually, and that it takes action by a special committee of five leaders in the field to determine whether there will be an honoree.
UWWM’s “Lean In” Group Introduces Grit Program
Thanks to all who participated in UWWM’s “Lean In”-inspired luncheon on July 29, 2015, at UWWM’s Maitland office. Partner Kimberly Sands and Shareholder Michelle Jernigan presented an introduction to The Grit Project developed by the ABA Section on Litigation, Women in Litigation. Upchurch Watson White & Max is in its second year of CLE programs designed to explore issues of advocacy and professional development for those who wish to improve their litigation skills and the business of practicing law through research, shared experience, and recommended strategies.