DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2013) --
Ricardo Cata, currently of counsel with the Miami office of the Wilson Elser law firm, will join Upchurch Watson White & Max as mediation counsel on Jan. 1, 2014.
Ricardo J. Cata
For 38 years, and especially for the last 25, Mr. Cata's practice has focused on various areas of liability. He became a partner at Wilson Elser in 1992 and regional managing partner of the Miami office from 2007 to 2013.
He has successfully represented Latin American hospitality companies in litigation filed in Florida’s circuit and federal courts and has regularly handled lawsuits within the state, representing manufacturers of products made internationally and sold in the U.S. He also has represented clients in cases involving allegations of design and construction defects, negligent inspection claims and delay claims.
As a mediator, he will draw on the experience and knowledge he gained as a litigator, with practice areas including construction defects, cross-border disputes, design defects, general liability, hotel and resort liability, manufacturing defects, personal injury, premises liability and product liability. Mr. Cata has been involved in hundreds of mediations, and he has significant trial experience.
"We are thrilled to be joined by Ricardo Cata," said John Upchurch, founder, principal and managing partner of Upchurch Watson White & Max. "He brings a dimension of experience and relationships throughout Mexico and Latin America that will greatly enhance our new South Florida-based practice group."
During his current transition, Mr. Cata has seized on every learning opportunity possible. Already a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator, he also has acquired the following credentials:
- Advanced Commercial Mediation Training, 2013
- American Arbitration Association, Essential Mediation Skills for the New Mediator, certificate of completion, Los Angeles, 2013
- International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, 2013
- ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, Professional Education and Qualifications, 2013
A native of Cuba, Mr. Cata is bilingual in Spanish and English and has a rare understanding of the culture and business environment in Latin America. He has served as the point person at Wilson Elser, managing the defense for a number of insurance and reinsurance clients in the region, in litigation throughout the United States.
For information or to schedule a mediation with Mr. Cata, contact his case manager, Heidi Cohen, at (954) 423-8856.
About Upchurch Watson White & Max
Our nationally leading mediation specialty firm is known for facilitating reasonable agreements to resolve complex issues. From eight offices in Florida and Alabama, twenty-nine Supreme Court certified attorney mediators with wide-ranging practice areas serve as court-appointed and privately employed mediators, arbitrators and third-party neutral case managers, implementing innovative methods of alternative dispute resolution across the country. On the Web: uww-adr.com
Ricardo J. Cata