Upchurch Watson White & Max Celebrates Mediation Week 2014

The theme of 'Stories Mediators Tell' is a spark for activities of the Florida- and Alabama-based firm, including a newsletter, panel discussion and Webinar.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2014) -- Two Upchurch Watson White & Max shareholders have become deeply involved in the upcoming observation of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution's Mediation Week 2014 -- Oct. 12 to 18. Also, a UWWM mediator will be a panelist at a Miami Mediation Week event on Oct. 16, and another has organized a complimentary educational Webinar.

Details follow:

• Richard Lord, a shareholder with the group, became co-chair of the ABA section's Mediation Committee and took part in regional outreach for the section as it encouraged and coordinated promotion of the week's activities. The section listed almost 100 observances by mediation firms, nonprofits, academic institutions, governmental agencies and other organizations around the world on its dedicated Web page: www.americanbar.org/groups/dispute_resolution/events_cle/mediation_week.html."The goal each year is to promote understanding and use of mediation to manage and resolve disputes wherever they arise," Mr. Lord has said. He also is a mediation track chair for the 2015 ABA Dispute Resolution Section Spring conference in Seattle.

• A. Michelle Jernigan, also a UWWM shareholder, was voted onto the Executive Council of The Florida Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Section at The Bar's June meeting and immediately began strategizing a way for the state-level ADR section to participate. "I was given the job as newsletter editor at our first executive council meeting in August, when I suggested that we write a special edition in celebration of Mediation Week," Ms. Jernigan said. This special edition newsletter was emailed to section members on Wednesday, Oct. 8, and has been shared with the chairs of six other sections of the Florida Bar who will circulate the newsletter among their members in celebration of Mediation Week. For a sneak peek, click here: http://bit.ly/FlaBar_ADR_week.

• Ricardo Cata, a Miami-based mediator for UWWM, will address executives, general counsel, mediators, attorneys and the general public as part of a panel discussion presented by the American Arbitration Association. The free program, titled “Stories Mediators Tell: Best Practices and Tips for a Successful Mediation” will be held in affiliation with ABA Mediation Week from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Miami Tower Building, 100 S.E. Second St., Suite 2300, Miami. Mr. Cata and six other panelists have developed the discussion to provide "inspiration and tools necessary to bridge the gap that often prevents amicable resolution of disputes."

"This year’s theme seeks to recognize and share inspirational stories of practitioners in the field who want others to experience the art of mediation," organizers said. "Their stories share advice on how to handle certain situations, share what mediation is about and share how certain situations were handled." Space for the event, which qualifies attendees for 1.5 general Continuing Mediation Education credits through The Florida Bar, is limited, but for more information, call 305-358-7777 or visit www.tfapm.org/wpcontent/uploads/2014/09/Stories-Mediators-Tell-Flier.pdf.

UWWM's Webinar: 'Getting the Deal Done'

Although the event is not strictly during Mediation Week, Webinar organizers have dedicated their program to the week's educational purpose. UWWM mediator Brandon S. Peters and Ms. Jernigan, along with South Florida trial consultant Betty Dunkum, will take on the topics of using mock trials, focus groups, private trials and early neutral evaluation to settle cases. The Webinar is set for noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. Attending will entitle attorneys to 1.5 hours of general CLE credit through The Florida Bar.

For Mediation Week, UWWM will be putting on the final push to get word of the Webinar out to interested parties. Up to 1,000 can attend the event -- cosponsored by the University of Florida Levin College of Law Institute for Dispute Resolution -- by teleconference. For more information, visit www.uwwadr.com/webinar/getting-the-deal-done-using-mock-trials-focus-groups-private-trials-and-early-neutralevaluation-to-settle-cases

About Upchurch Watson White & Max

Upchurch Watson White & Max, a nationally leading mediation firm, is known for facilitating reasonable agreements to resolve complex issues. From eight offices in Florida and Alabama, 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: http://www.uww-adr.com.

P R E S S   R E L E A S E
Upchurch Watson White & Max
125 S. Palmetto Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
800-264-2622
Catherine Klasne (cklasne@uww-adr.com)

For Immediate Release