Minnesota law requires parties to a lawsuit to participate in alternative dispute resolution or ADR. Two types of ADR include arbitration and mediation. Arbitration is like a hearing where the parties agree to allow an arbitrator (usually a 1 or 3 of them) whom they select to make a binding decision about a set of issues. Mediation is a settlement processes where the adverse parties attempt to resolve a dispute with the help of a neutral third-party of their selection.
I have been a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association since 2001, and have been selected to arbitrate at least 175 no-fault insurance disputes. I have also been an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau since 2003 and its Arbitrator of the Year in 2006. The BBB has given me experience arbitrating Lemon Law and construction cases.
In order to be a "qualified neutral" in accordance with Rule 114.13 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice for the District Courts for general civil litigation, a person must complete 30 hours of ADR training. I completed the course and received my certification in 2010, and am looking to do more mediation services in the future. I have over a decade of experience in insurance defense of injury claims. This along with more than 15 years of experience working for plaintiff has given me the objectivity necessary to effective identify issues for parties that will help resolve claims. My construction experience, both from litigation and my personal knowledge can be helpful to getting construction litigation resolved.