Since 1990, I have mediated over 2000 construction, construction defect, A/E professional liability, surety and insurance coverage disputes, including breach of contract, delay claims, construction defects, pricing and change order disputes, architect/engineer errors & omissions, government contract claims, change orders, bid disputes, surety default issues, indemnity claims, etc.; most multi-party and complex. I have served on Dispuite Review Board panels, as a judge in State District Court Summar Jury Trials, neutral evaluator, insurance valuation referee, and mediation skills and advocacy traniner for both students, mediators and advocates.

I limit my practice to construction, construction related, surety, and construction insurance related matters.  I do not mediate bodily injury, personal injury, workers compensation,  family law, or consumer cases.

Disclosures, Conflicts, Impartiality and Bias: I have disclosed, or will disclose, to you all material relationships, dealings, and prior contact with the parties, their counsel, and any principals, witnesses, experts, consultants, insurers, sureties, etc. you identify for me.  If there is any relationship that precludes me from serving in an impartial and neutral manner, I will decline the assignment. If any of the disclosures raise questions that are not answered to your satisfaction, please let me know and I will withdraw if I cannot assure you of my neutrality.  When you consider the business dealings between my companies and many construction companies, bar and trade association activities, and prior legal and dispute resolution engagements, it is rare that I have not had dealings with some or all of the counsel, experts, insurance carriers or parties in major construction disputes. Many contractors and subcontractors are either bonded by SureTec/Markel or have bonds written in their favor, or are insured by SureTec's sister companies, Evanston and Markel Insurance Company.  Often those companies or their principals or insureds consider that relationship confidential, and I will not disclose those  relationships unless I have been personally and directly involved in a claim or transaction that might create a true conflict of interest.  It is my hope that those dealings will not always be viewed as a disqualifying factor, but as what they often prove to be: the basis for credibility that allows me to be more effective in the mediation process.   

• B.A., Economics, Southern Methodist University, 1972
• J.D. (Law), Southern Methodist University School of Law, 1976; Editor, Journal of Air Law & Commerce
• Initial Basic Mediation Training, 1990, U.S, Arbitration & Mediation Services and Dispute Management Resources
• Additional Basic Mediator Training, 1991, Dallas Bar Association
• Advanced Mediator Training, 1995, 1997, Attorney-Mediators-Institute
• Additional Training and Continuing Education by Association of Attorney Mediators, Texas Mediator Credentialing Institute, University of Texas Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section, Austin Bar Association, American College of Construction Lawyers, and International Academy of Mediators, NS Texas Mediators Credentialing Association.
• Since 1990, mediated over 2000 construction, surety and insurance coverage disputes, including breach of contract, delay claims, construction defects, pricing and change order disputes, architect/engineer errors & omissions, government contract claims, change orders, bid disputes, surety default issues, indemnity claims, etc.; most multi-party and complex
• Global Pound Conference Austin  (2017)
• Adjunct Faculty, Senior Lecturer, 2000 - present, teaching Construction Industry Dispute Resolution and Avoidance to Masters and Doctoral Candidates at the University of Texas School of Engineering, Austin, Texas;
• Facilitator, Neutral Evaluator, DRB panel member, and Settlement coach
• Former Panel Member, AAA Panel of Arbitrators

• Court Admissions
• Supreme Court of the United States
• United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Court of Federal Claims
• United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
• United States District Court, Western District of Texas
• Supreme Court of Texas; Bar License 14905650
• Board Certified in Construction Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

• Professional Activities:
• Fellow, American College of Construction Lawyers (1994-present; Member, Board of Governors, 2005-2008)
• Fellow and Advisory Board Member, University of Texas Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution (2002 to present)
• Distinguished Fellow, International Academy of Mediators (2011 to present)
• Distinguished Credentialed Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association
• Member, Texas Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• Former Member Member, National Surety Industry Advisory Committee, Associated General Contractors of America
• Legislative Co-Chair, Texas Surety Federation
• Member, Fidelity & Surety Subcommittee of Tort & Insurance Practice Section
• Member, ABA Dispute Resolution Section
• Member, ABA Forum Committee on Construction Law
• Founding Member and Past Chairman, Construction Law Section, State Bar of Texas
• Founding Member and Past Chairman, Construction Law Section of Dallas Bar Association
• Founding Member and Past Chairman, Austin Bar Association Construction Law Section
• Legislative Liaison, State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section (2008-2010)
• Editor, Construction Law Section Newsletter, State Bar of Texas (1992-1995)
• Member and Certified AAM Mediator, Association of Attorney-Mediators (Past President, Central Texas Chapter)
• Co-Chairman, State Legislative Committee, Associated General Contractors, Texas Building Branch (1998-2014) Chairman Emeritus (2015-present) (instrumental in drafting and lobbying for changes in contractual indemnity, OCIP’s, mechanic’s lien, dispute resolution, project delivery, contingent payment, and trust fund legislation)
• General Counsel, Associated General Contractors, Dallas Building Branch (1990-1995)

Community Activities and Public Service:

• Former Chair, Greater Dallas Crime Commission
• Former Member, City of University Park, Texas Public Safety Committee
• Former Member, Board of Directors, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
• Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Austin Community College Foundation
• Former Chairman, Board of Directors, Austin Recovery Center
• Volunteer, Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, 1996- present
• HOA Board Member (President 2024-2026)