FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DANA POINT, Calif. (January 24, 2026) — A. Michelle Jernigan, a principal and full-time mediator and arbitrator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, will be a featured presenter at the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law 2026 Midwinter Conference, a leading national program for construction law and ADR professionals. Due to exceptional demand, conference registrations are now wait-listed.
Ms. Jernigan will present alongside fellow neutral Nancy Greenwald during Plenary 2: The Neuroscience of Mediation: Unlocking the Science Behind Decision-Making, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. The plenary will examine how neuroscience and cognitive science shape decision-making in mediation, offering practical guidance on persuasion, cognitive bias, emotional drivers and risk assessment in complex disputes.
The Midwinter Conference, themed Changing Landscapes: New and Effective ADR Strategies, will take place February 4–7, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. The program is co-sponsored by the American Arbitration Association, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, and the ABA Dispute Resolution Section.
Ms. Jernigan’s presentation reflects her long-standing study of the neuroscience of mediation and its application to high-stakes commercial and construction disputes. Her work focuses on how parties actually process information and make decisions under pressure, insights that can significantly enhance mediation advocacy and outcomes.
The conference also features advanced programming on arbitration, ethics, discovery, expert testimony, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence in ADR, along with networking events and specialized practicum sessions.
About Upchurch, Watson, White & Max
Upchurch, Watson, White & Max is a nationally recognized dispute resolution firm providing mediation, arbitration, and neutral evaluation services across a broad range of practice areas.
Media Contact:
Catherine Klasne
Upchurch Watson White & Max
(800) 264-2622
cklasne@uww-adr-com
