PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

A lawyer, mediator, arbitrator, law professor/trainer and author. Partner and co-founder of Associates in Dispute Resolution LLC, 1999-present; Adjunct Professor, ADR, Washburn University School of Law, Spring Semesters 2007-2010; Special General Counsel/Legislative Liaison, Midland Group, 1990-03; General Counsel/Litigation Director, Kansas Legal Services, Inc., 1973-01; Litigation Director, Farmer Assistance Counseling and Training Service (FACTS), 1984-01; Director/Mediation Coordinator, Midland Mediation & Settlement Services, 1995-01; Officer, United States Air Force, 1966-70.

EXPERIENCE

Has served as a Mediator/Arbitrator in more than 4,000 pending in federal, state and administrative agencies. Has mediated/arbitrated hundreds of federal, state, and administrative agency matters. These matters include civil rights, commercial law, consumer fraud, consumer protection violations, constitutional law, construction law, corporate dissolution, domestic relations, employment law, environmental law, fair debt collection practices, fair housing, FSLA, insurance claims/bad faith, international disputes, material and latent defects, malpractice, labor law, lemon law, personal injury, public policy residential construction, real estate, truth-in-lending, workers' compensation, Section 1981 and 1983, toxic tort, regular education/special education disputes, securities, water law issues, wills, trusts and estates, zoning disputes, and design and development of internal dispute resolution systems. Settlements have ranged from a few thousand dollars to several million dollars. Approved by the Kansas Supreme Court as a mediator and mediator trainer in all categories. Serves on arbitration panels for the American Arbitration Association, FINRA and National Arbitration Forum. Certified by the Kansas Department of Education as an approved special education mediator and due process hearing officer.

GENERAL LITIGATION EXPERIENCE

More than 27 years' civil litigation experience in state and federal courts. Primary areas of practice include civil rights, constitutional law, and general civil litigation. Has successfully litigated several class action civil rights matters in both state and federal court, including the establishment of due process rights for individuals facing mental health commitment, and conditions-of-confinement in state and local institutions. Has served as lead trial counsel in hundreds of federal and state trial proceedings and administrative law matters including: civil rights, contract law, consumer fraud, consumer protection violations, corporate liability issues, constitutional law, domestic relations, fair debt collection practices, fair housing, material and latent defects, lemon law, Native American law, residential contract and construction, real estate law, truth-in-lending, Section 1983, and special education disputes.

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING