The Future of Resolution

Prominent Atlanta-based neutral Rex Smith shares mediation best practices, his thoughts on diversity and the future of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) during an in-depth discussion with Miles Mediation & Arbitration CEO John Miles.

With 30+ years of experience as a mediator, arbitrator and special master, Smith handles complex disputes in areas of business/commercial; personal injury; construction; products liability; wrongful death; professional negligence; medical malpractice; aviation; contract disputes, insurance, nursing home litigation, and premises liability.

In this episode, prominent family law attorney Randy Kessler discusses his prolific practice and the complexities and benefits of domestic mediation with Miles neutral Hon. Jason Harper.

Kessler is the founding partner of the law firm Kessler & Solomiany in Atlanta. He has 30+ years of experience in Domestic Relations and Family Law matters including divorce, custody, paternity, prenuptial agreements and child support.

He is the author of several family law books including "Divorce: Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future," "The GA Library of Family Law Forms," and "How to Mediate a Divorce." He is an adjunct professor of Family Law Litigation at Emory Law School and has served as the Chair of the Family Law Sections of the American Bar Association; the State Bar of Georgia; and the Atlanta Bar Association.

In this episode, Miles senior neutral David Nutter sits down with Nekia Hackworth Jones and Wade Malone, partners in the Atlanta office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP.

Jones and Malone discuss their involvement with Atlanta Bar Association's Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP). Malone is a co-founder of SLIP, and Hackworth Jones is an alumna of the program.

Malone practices commercial litigation and serves as Chair of the Business Litigation team for Nelson Mullins' Atlanta office. Hackworth Jones handles white collar criminal defense matters, government investigations, and business litigation at the firm.

Season 2 of The Future of Resolution Podcast kicks off with former American Bar Association president Linda Klein. In this episode, Klein touches on a range of important issues impacting the practice of law, including the importance of diversity in alternative dispute resolution; judicial independence; and attorney wellness initiatives.

Klein is a senior managing shareholder at Baker Donelson and a past president for the American Bar Association (ABA), the world's largest voluntary professional association. She previously served as chair of the ABA's House of Delegates, the association's policymaking body. She has also served as chair of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, chair of the Committee on Rules and Calendar of the House of Delegates, chair of the Coalition for Justice, and chair of ABA Day, the Association's Congressional outreach effort. She is a recent member of the Council of the ABA Section of International Law and also served as a columnist and on the Board of Editors of Law Practice Management Magazine. In 2013, Klein had the honor of being a McGlothlin fellow on the campuses of William and Mary's Business and Law Schools. She delivered the commencement addresses at Atlanta's John Marshall College of Law (2018), Georgia State University College of Law (2017), Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (2017), Pepperdine University School of Law (2016), and Washington and Lee University School of Law (2012). In 2009, Klein was honored with the Randolph Thrower Award for Lifetime Achievement and was named to the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers. In 2004, the American Bar Association honored Ms. Klein with the prestigious Margaret Brent Achievement Award.

Brian D. "Buck" Rogers continues a discussion about the future of trucking litigation; ADR best practices; and the importance work-life balance.

Rogers is the immediate past president of the State Bar of Georgia and partner with Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC in Atlanta. He is the 55th president of the State Bar of Georgia and has been on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia since 2008. He was selected as one of the "14 Under 40" in the Fulton County Daily Report in 2006 and as one of the "Top 100 lawyers" in Georgia by Atlanta Magazine. Rogers was president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association from 2013 to 2014 and served on the Atlanta Bar Association's Continuing Education Committee. He is a graduate of the National College of Advocacy, the Ultimate Trial College in Washington, D.C., and the Trial Lawyers College. He is a Master in the Lamar Inn of Court.

Additionally, Rogers devotes his time to numerous philanthropic and educational initiatives, including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Civil Justice PAC Inc.; the State Council of Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) for which he is the Chair of Leadership, the Shepherd Spinal and Brain Injury Center, where he is a Trustee and serves on the Auxiliary Board and the Advisory Board; and faculty at the Trial Skills Clinic at the University of Georgia as well as the Keissler-Eddison program at Emory. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers, a sustaining member of the Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, and an associate member of the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists, Inc.

Brian D. "Buck" Rogers discusses his impressive career; the future of trucking litigation; alternative dispute resolution; and the importance of attorney work-life balance. He also provides thoughtful advice for young attorneys seeking to grow a meaningful law practice.

Rogers is the immediate past president of the State Bar of Georgia and partner with Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC in Atlanta. He is the 55th president of the State Bar of Georgia and has been on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia since 2008. He was selected as one of the "14 Under 40" in the Fulton County Daily Report in 2006 and as one of the "Top 100 lawyers" in Georgia by Atlanta Magazine. Rogers was president of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association from 2013 to 2014 and served on the Atlanta Bar Association's Continuing Education Committee. He is a graduate of the National College of Advocacy, the Ultimate Trial College in Washington, D.C., and the Trial Lawyers College. He is a Master in the Lamar Inn of Court.

Additionally, Rogers devotes his time to numerous philanthropic and educational initiatives, including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Civil Justice PAC Inc.; the State Council of Mothers against Drunk Driving (MADD) for which he is the Chair of Leadership, the Shepherd Spinal and Brain Injury Center, where he is a Trustee and serves on the Auxiliary Board and the Advisory Board; and faculty at the Trial Skills Clinic at the University of Georgia as well as the Keissler-Eddison program at Emory. He is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers, a sustaining member of the Interstate Trucking Litigation Group, and an associate member of the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists, Inc.

Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears shares fascinating details about her distinguished career and recent biography, Seizing Serendipity: The Life and Career of Leah Ward Sears. Additionally, she discusses professionalism and changes within the practice of law and the value of alternative dispute resolution.

In 1992, Sears became the first woman and youngest justice to sit on the Supreme Court of Georgia. In 2005, she became the first African American woman to serve as chief justice of any state supreme court in the country. Sears was twice on the President's shortlist for appointment to the United States Supreme Court.

Sears is currently a partner at Smith Gambrell & Russell in Atlanta.

Miles neutrals Jennifer Grippa, Stephen McKinney and Matt Thiry continue a discussion about arbitration. This episode explores the importance of crafting the right arbitration clause; additional ways an arbitrator can effectively guide parties throughout the arbitration process; and additional insights on how to achieve successful outcomes.

As expert neutrals, Jennifer, Stephen, and Matt have collectively mediated and arbitrated thousands of cases and understand the unique set of challenges often presented at arbitration, and what it takes to resolve complex disputes.

Miles neutrals Jennifer Grippa, Stephen McKinney and Matt Thiry continue a discussion about the risks and rewards of arbitration. This episode highlights the importance of the arbitrator selection process; use of mediation during arbitration; ex parte communications; and insights on how to achieve successful outcomes by realizing economy and efficiency through the arbitration process.

As veteran dispute resolution experts, Jennifer, Stephen, and Matt have collectively mediated and arbitrated thousands of cases and understand the unique set of challenges often presented at arbitration.

Miles neutrals Jennifer Grippa and Steve McKinney discuss arbitration as a powerful tool for dispute resolution. As certified arbitrators with extensive experience arbitrating complex disputes, Jennifer and Steve are attuned to the perceived bias of arbitration and explore factors that have contributed to views that it can be more expensive than traditional litigation. In addition to providing an overview of arbitration proceedings, they discuss specific strategies to restore economy in the arbitration process and ways in which it can be used as a valuable form of dispute resolution.