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Biography |
AT THIS TIME AND FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE WE ARE ONLY SCHEDULING MEDIATIONS BY ZOOM VIDEOCONFERENCING. As a mediator who loved in person mediations for three decades, I have embraced the effectiveness of Zoom Videoconference mediations. Just as many, if not more, cases result in resolution, the vast majority of the participants (attorneys, adjusters, and parties) all seem to prefer Zoom mediations, and there is no doubt that Zoom mediations reduce time and costs, especially those associated with travel. Zoom Videoconferencing also allows my Labrador Retriever to attend, which is very important because she’s a great deal closer!
MIKE'S PHILOSOPHY OF THE MEDIATION PROCESS: As a neutral helper for all parties, my job is to provide everyone with the best environment, the best opportunity, and the best chance to reach a settlement IF that is what the parties decide they want to do. I promise to never force, coerce, trick, or fool anyone into reaching a settlement. While seeking to sincerely understand and appreciate the parties' positions and interests, my goal is to help equip each and every decision maker with whatever information he or she needs to make a wise, well informed decision regarding whether to settle OR to risk continuing the controversy/litigation which could result in an adverse ruling or verdict. If provided with a good understanding of risk, most people prefer to avoid it by finding peace through compromise and resolution.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF THE MEDIATOR: I am a promoter and a defender of the mediation process. I may not get a vote, but I will do my best to help everyone get very well equipped to make good decisions. I'm the point guard who will give the parties and their lawyers plenty of assists, but it's ultimately up to the parties to make the shot if they want to score a resolution."
EXPERIENCE: Mike is one of the most experienced mediators in the United States. He has been a certified mediator for 33 of the 45 years he has practiced law. He has mediated more than 8,000 cases to date. In 2005, Mike left his law firm and purchased and renovated a 100 year old Victorian office, which easily accommodates multi-party mediations. During the first 25 years of his practice, Mike was a member of two outstanding law firms, Harrell, Wiltshire, Stone and Swearingen and Wilson, Harrell and Smith. Prior to becoming a mediator, he was a personal injury, wrongful death, employment discrimination, and commercial litigator, who realized the value of negotiated settlements in the early days of Florida mediations. Shortly after becoming certified, his mediation practice grew so much that he no longer had time to litigate. Mike says that it was like grass taking over a yard full of weeds!
CIRCUIT COURT MEDIATOR: Certified by Florida Supreme Court since 1992; Charter/Diplomate member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals; Florida Academy of Professional Mediators; lecturer on mediation at seminars and meetings for lawyers and laymen; mediated over 8,000 disputes; appointed and approved by the Florida Department of Insurance to mediate claims resulting from 1995 Hurricanes Erin and Opal; mediated approximately 1,000 hurricane (Sally, Michael, Ivan, Dennis, Georges, Danny, Opal, Erin) cases; mediated over 400 construction cases; mediated approximately 500 employment discrimination cases; mediated over 500 professional malpractice (medical, architectural, legal, accounting, insurance, real estate) cases; co-founder of SEBIRG (South Eastern Breast Implant Resolution Group); mediated over 300 breast implant cases; mediated over 500 nursing home cases; mediated over 500 product liability cases; mediated over 750 death cases and over 5,000 personal injury cases. Extensive Experience - throughout Florida (including Pensacola, Ft. Walton Beach, Destin, Crestview, Panama City, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami) and Southeastern United States (GA, AL, MS, LA, TN, NC, SC) mediating personal injury, wrongful death, Hurricane, mass tort products liability (breast implant, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, motor vehicles, asbestos, Chinese Dry Wall, etc.), professional malpractice, employment discrimination, nursing home, civil rights, law enforcement, negligent security, real estate, eminent domain, family, contract, construction, commercial, property damage, insurance, admiralty and probate disputes.
WHEN HE ISN'T MEDIATING: Mike enjoys family, church, community, golf, boating, barefoot (yes, even in my late 60’s) water skiing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, hiking, Labrador Retrievers, Wake Forest football and basketball and other sports activities. He has served as President of several community organizations, including Pensacola Sports Association, Leadership Pensacola, Greater Pensacola Touchdown Club and Five Flags Sertoma Club. He also chaired the 1998 United States Open Waterski and Wakeboard Championships and over 100 golf tournaments.
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Dispute areas |
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