Jeff Abrams, Esq.
Abrams Mediation & Negotiation, Inc.

Email: jeff@abramsmediation.com
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MEDIATION PHILOSOPHY/STYLE: Classical and innovative mediation skills in a creative settlement environment. Powerfully committed to practical business solutions. Skilled negotiator stays active and engaged until the deal is done. Settles “impossible” cases.

ATTORNEY-MEDIATOR (AV-rated) with national ADR practice

• Successfully mediated thousands of cases since 1986
  
  
• Receives mediation referrals from state and federal judges, lawyers, FINRA (formerly NASD Dispute Resolution), and parties in civil, securities, health care and workplace issues; e.g., complex securities, commercial, health care payments, employment discrimination, business torts, product liability, negligence, contracts, intellectual property, bankruptcy and personal injury. Among the more noteworthy cases he has resolved are:

Complicated multi-party securities disputes - class action suit against financial institution for breaches of fiduciary duty – products liability, design defects and warranty claims against primary, excess, and umbrella carriers in connection with major household appliances – prompt pay health claims - asbestos class action – patent and trademark infringement actions against various manufacturers – discrimination claims against public and private employers – partnership dissolution and allocation of assets and liabilities – unfair competition and trade secrets - helped forge new relationships between companies in comprehensive negotiation of environmental dispute in Alaska between native peoples and landowner.

• Served on task force to draft landmark 1987 Texas ADR law
  
  
• Recipient of Steve Brutsche’ Award for Excellence; Association of Attorney Mediators, 1988
  
  
• Co-founded mediation and training firms in Dallas, TX (U.S. Arbitration & Mediation, Inc. Southwest - 1986-90), Portland, OR (Institute for Conflict Management, Inc. 1991-96), Los Angeles, CA (Mediation & Effectiveness Training Institute 1996 - 1997), and Dallas, TX (Abrams Mediation & Negotiation, Inc. 1998 – present)
  
  
• Mediator, Victim-Offender Rehabilitation Program, 1995-1996

ARBITRATOR

• FINRA/NASD Arbitrator – selected as Chair for numerous securities disputes
  
  
• AAA Arbitrator – selected for $20 million health care claim
  
  
• Outstanding reputation for fairness and integrity

TRAINER, FACILITATOR AND SPEAKER

• National reputation as a trainer, and speaker on mediation skills, advocacy in ADR, partnership/team building, communication, interest-based negotiation, and harassment/diversity
  
  
• Designed customized training materials and checklists used by thousands of mediators
  
  
• Guest Speaker, Mediation in Bankruptcy Cases, with Hon. Governor Mario Cuomo, Hon. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, Hon. Chief Judge Burton Lifland, April 1996
  
  
• Lead Mediation Trainer, NASD Dispute Resolution & USBC, SDNY
  
  
• Guest speaker, Association of Attorney-Mediators, Dallas, TX, April 2004

CONFLICT RESOLUTION CONSULTANT

Adviser to courts, securities organizations, governmental agencies, private and public companies on dispute resolution systems design.

FORMER BUSINESS LITIGATION ATTORNEY

• Licensed to practice law since 1980 (OR, TX, and FL - inactive)
  
  
• Former trial lawyer and partner in Dallas, TX: Brice & Mankoff
  
  
• Litigation and appellate experience in employment discrimination, business torts, contracts, intellectual property, complex commercial law, bankruptcy, securities, antitrust, trademark infringement, franchise, and general business disputes

PUBLICATIONS

• “Anatomy of Mediation: What to Expect, How to Prepare & How to Win”, Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation, 2010, http://arbitrationindia.com/pdf/tia_latest.pdf
  
  
• Mediation Skills Training Manual - used in public and private mediation trainings, including those sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, and other clients.
  
  
• Partnering Skills in a Diverse and Demanding Work Environment - public and private trainings, including the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA, Canandaigua, BY, Buffalo, NY, Batavia, NY, Decatur, GA, and other clients
  
  
• The Meditation of Mediation (2002); Advocacy in Mediation, Arbitration & Mediation, State Bar of Oregon (1996); Rushing Headlong into a Mediation?, Arbitration Quarterly of the Northwest (1993); Mediation of Claims Involving Insurance Companies, 2:1 The ADR Report (Fall 1993); A Better Way, 1:1 ADR Advance Sheet (Sept. 1992); Mediation - Make Your Practice More Profitable, 23 Texas Lawyers Forum 4 (1989); Combined Processes (mediation, arbitration, & other ADR procedures), Third Handbook of Alternative Dispute Resolution, State Bar of Texas (2002); Alternative Dispute Resolution - Powerful Tools in the Attorney’s Arsenal, Dallas Training Materials (1988); Mediation as an Effective Settlement Tool, Texas Trial Lawyers Forum (1988); Mediation of Claims Involving Insurance Companies, 52 Texas Bar Journal (1988); Insurance Mediation, Handbook of Alternative Dispute Resolution - New Horizons for the Texas Judicial System, State Bar of Texas (1987); plus practical training manuals/materials; Founding editor of Oregon State Bar ADR newsletter (1992-1995)

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Texas Bar Association; USDC, NDTX mediation panel; FINRA/NASD Dispute Resolution mediation panel; NASD Dispute Resolution arbitration panel; U.S. Bankruptcy Court, SDNY mediation panel; Association of Attorney-Mediators

EDUCATION

• Florida State University College of Law, Tallahassee, FL, J.D. with High Honors, June 1980 Law Review, Moot Court, Order of the Coif
  
  
• Pace University, Pleasantville, NY, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, May 1977

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Arbitrator, FINRA/NASD Dispute Resolution, 1995 – present
  
  
• Volunteer, Grace Hospice, 2006
  
  
• Volunteer, Contact Crisis Hotline, 1999 - 2002
  
  
• Volunteer with “at-risk” kids at Hexter Elementary School, 2002 – 2004
  
  
• Board Member, Jewish Federation of Portland, 1992-1996

 
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"The right deal emerges when you stay fully engaged and never give up." - Jeff Abrams, Esq.