Education and Academic Roles

• Adjunct Professor: Pepperdine University School of Law (Straus Institute) (2008–present).
• Post-Graduate Degrees: LL.M. in Dispute Resolution (2007) from Pepperdine Law (Straus Institute)(TADRA §154.052(a)), with capstone research published in the Harvard Negotiation Law Review. M.B.A., Executive Program (2001) from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
• Law Degree: J.D. (1987) – Pepperdine University School of Law: Pepperdine Law Review; Moot Court Board
• Undergraduate: B.A. in Business Administration (1984), Trinity University. Internships: The White House (1984) and the U.S. Senate (1983).

Select Advanced Training and Research

• Negotiation Training: Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives; Dealing with Difficult People and Difficult Situations (2007); Cambridge Executive Enterprises’ Senior Executive Training with MIT Professor John J. Donovan (2002).
• AI Negotiation: Program on Negotiation AI Summit (2025) at Harvard Law and MIT. Convened leading scholars on cutting-edge AI negotiation research at MIT.
• Advanced Family Mediation Training: Austin Dispute Resolution Center (2007)(TADRA §154.052(b)).
• Course Director: State Bar of Texas CLE on Advanced Mediation (2011); Global Pound Conference Austin (2017: Co-Director).

* Elected Fellowships: Distinguished Fellow, International Academy of Mediators and National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (since 2010).

* Bar Leadership: Past Chair of the State Bar of Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section (2014-2015); San Antonio Chapter President (2013-2020), National President's Award (2013), Association of Attorney-Mediators.

Don Philbin is a dynamic mediator known for resolving complex disputes with innovative strategies and relentless tenacity. He has mediated more than 3,000 cases across a broad range of substantive areas. Recognized by peers as a Band 1 Nationwide Mediator (Chambers USA), multi-year Lawyer of the Year (Best Lawyers), Thought Leader (Lexology Index), and Top 50 Central/West Texas Super Lawyer, Don is an elected fellow of the International Academy of Mediators and the American College of Civil Trial Mediators. Teaching at Pepperdine Law’s Straus Institute and developing Picture It Settled, pioneering software akin to “Moneyball” for negotiation, keeps him at the field’s forefront.

Please call for details.