​Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience:  

• Labor Arbitrator | National Mediation Board (2016 - present)
• Commercial Arbitrator | American Arbitration Association (2014 - present)
  
• Labor Arbitrator | Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (2012 - present)
  
• Labor Arbitrator | American Arbitration Association (2012 - present)
  
• Member, Arbitrator Panel | Public Risk Management of Florida (2012 - present)
  
• Special Magistrate | Florida Public Employees Relations Commission (2013 - present)
  
• Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement) | Town of Grant-Valkaria (2015 - present)
  
• Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement) | City of Indian Harbour Beach (2014 - present)
  
• Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement) | Town of Palm Shores (2013 - present)
  
• Special Magistrate (Red Light Camera) | City of Boynton Beach (2013 - present)
  
• Special Magistrate (Employee Appeal) | Town of Melbourne Beach (2013)
  
• Special Magistrate (Code Compliance) | Town of Golden Beach (2003 - 2010)
  
• Special Magistrate (Vehicle Impoundment) | City of Hollywood (2002 - 2005)
  
• Special Magistrate (Code Compliance) | City of Hollywood (2002 - 2005)
  
• Member, Risk Management Committee | City of Palm Bay (2008 - 2011)
  
• Special Counsel for Labor Relations | City of South Miami (2003 - 2005)
  
• Special Counsel  to Code Enforcement Board  | City of Palm Bay (2015 - present)
  
• Special Counsel to Planning & Zoning Board | City of Palm Bay (2014 - present)       
  
• Special Investigative Counsel | Miami Beach Housing Authority (2004 - 2005)
  

                                                   
Alternative Dispute Resolution Training:  

• Circuit Civil Mediator Training, Dunlap Mediation Training Programs (2011)
• Appellate Mediation Training Program, University of Miami (2011)
  
• Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Training, ADR Educational Systems (2011)
  
• Basic Arbitrator Training, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (2012)
  
• Court-Appointed Arbitrator Training, Shulman ADR Services (2012)
  
• Labor Arbitrator I, American Arbitration Association (2013)
  
• Navigating the World of ADR, The Florida Bar (2014)
  
• Labor Arbitrator II, American Arbitration Association (2017)
  

Experience:  As an Arbitrator, Mediator, or Advocate, extensive experience in the following fields:

• CONTRACTS:  Purchase agreements, partnerships, real estate sales, rental property, design-build, construction, personal services, professional services, and other contractual agreements with a value of up to $40 million dollars.
• LABOR & EMPLOYMENT:  As a Board Certified Specialist in Labor & Employment Law, extensive experience in wrongful discharge, whistleblower, hostile environment, non-compete agreements, pension issues, public & private labor disputes, collective bargaining, executive contracts, separation agreements, and matters involving the EEOC, FCRA, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ERISA, PERC, NLRB, WARN, and the plethora of other federal, state and local employment regulations.
  
• BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION:  architecture services, construction services, design-build, bonding and financing of construction projects, interior design and decorating, maintenance and upkeep matters.
  
• REAL ESTATE:  residential sales and leases, commercial sales and leases, co-ops and condos, self-storage agreements, homeowners' association issues, condo association issues.
  
• GOVERNMENT:  As a Board Certified Specialist in City, County & Local Government Law, extensive experience in government contracting, procurement matters, legislative affairs, lobbying regulations, zoning regulations, permitting issues, business tax & licensing matters, eminent domain and other takings matters, compliance issues, federal regulations, civil rights issues, and disputes involving a governmental entity.
  
• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:  licensing, copyright, trademark, service marks, service provider agreements, outsourcing, various usage portals & networks, software applications, file sharing, billing and collections.
  
• HEALTH CARE & INSURANCE:  compliance issues, funding, confidentiality, non-competition/non solicitation, HIPAA issues, prescription payments, reimbursements, eligibility, agency agreements, premium enhancements, terminations, accounting and audits; claims processing; pharmacy issues, etc.
  
• EDUCATION:  DOE regulations and compliance, Title 9 issues, IEP disputes and compliance issues, grant and scholarship disputes, sports and extracurricular activity issues, charter school applications and denials, charter school compliance issues.
  
• NON-PROFITS & RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS:  Officer and executive liability, compensation issues, clergy-employee rights, Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), safe environment issues, hierarchical structure, canonical & ecclesiastical issues, liability issues.
  

Work History: 

• Sole Practitioner: Arbitrator, Mediator, Special Magistrate, Hearing Officer (2011-present);

         General Counsel, City of Port St. Lucie, City of Sebastian, City of Greenacres, City of Palm Bay, City of West Melbourne;

         Assistant City Attorney, City of Pompano Beach; Attorney: Muller Mintz, P.A. (Miami, Florida);

         Francsell, Strickland, Roberts & Lawrence, P.L. (Pasadena, California).  

• Deputy Sheriff: Riverside Sheriff's Department (1988-1992);
  

         Police Officer, Detective, Sergeant: China Lake Police Department (1980-1988).​

• Volunteer Service:  Civil Rights Coordinator, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Seventh District. Assistant District Legal Officer,  U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Seventh District.  Engisn, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, David McCampbell Battalion.

         Deacon, Diocese of Orlando.  

Education:

    Southwestern University School of Law | Juris Doctorate

     Los Angeles, California

• American Jurisprudence Book Award (Contracts)
• American Jurisprudence Book Award (Remedies)
  
• Dean’s Merit Award      ▪   University Scholarship
  

    University of Notre Dame | M.A., Theology
    South Bend, Indiana

    University of Redlands | B.S., Business & Management
    Redlands, California

Teaching Experience:

• ​Adjunct Professor | Labor Law & Employee Standards (Aviation Management Program)
  

         Florida Institute of Technology, College of Aeronautics  (2012 – present).

• Academy Instructor | Law Topics for Law Enforcement Officers
  

         Broward College, Institute of Public Safety  (2003 – 2007).

• Adjunct Professor | Business Law
  

         The Union Institute, Los Angeles  (1996 – 1998).

​

Certifications: 

• Board Certified Specialist (The Florida Bar): Labor & Employment Law (2004)
  
• Board Certified Specialist (The Florida Bar): City, County & Local Government Law (2008)
  
• Certified Circuit Court Mediator (2011), Florida Supreme Court
  
• Certified Appellate Court Mediator (2011), Florida Supreme Court
  
• Qualified Circuit Court Arbitrator (2012), Florida Supreme Court
  

Professional Associations: 

• Florida Bar Association (ADR Section; Labor & Employment Law Section; Local Government Law Section)
  
• California State Bar (ADR Section)
  
• Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators
  
• Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service
  
• Public Risk Management
  
• American Arbitration Association
  
• National Mediation Board

Publications & Speaking Engagements:  

"Preemption in Land Use Regulations"​

• 2018 Land Use Seminar, The Florida Bar
  
• ​May, 2018 | Orlando, Florida
  

"Mediation in the Public Sector"  (2 sessions)

• 25th Annual Conference, Florida Dispute Resolution Center
• August, 2017 | Orlando, Florida

"How To Prepare For Arbitration: An Arbitrator’s Perspective"

• Florida Public Employers Labor Relations Association
• February, 2017 | Orlando, Florida
  

"The Public Employees Relations Act"

• 17th Labor & Employment Law Annual Update and Certification Review
• January, 2016 | Orlando, Florida
  

 “Professional Ethics in Fraud Examination”

• Florida Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
• October, 2013 | Brevard County, Florida
  

“So They Say You Can't Do That In Mediation?  The Local Government Perspective”

• 35th Annual Local Government Law in Florida, The Florida Bar
• May, 2012 | Saint Augustine, Florida
  

"Diversity Issues & Tolerance for the Law Enforcement Officer"  (8 sessions)

• Winter Park Police Department
• January, 2012 | Winter Park, Florida
  

"Social Media in the Public Sector Workplace"

• Space Coast Public Personnel & Risk Management Association
• February, 2010 | Viera, Florida
  

"501(c)(3) Corporations in the Public Sector, A Good Tool or A Risky Business?"

• Annual Conference, International Municipal Lawyers Association
• October, 2009 | Miami, Florida
  

"Attendance Issues: Aren’t Employees Supposed To Attend And Ask To Leave?"

• Annual Conference, National Public Employers Labor Relations Association
• April, 2008 | Clearwater, Florida
  

"Privileges, Exemptions and Ex Parte Communications"

• 33rd Annual Public Employment Labor Relations Forum, The Florida Bar
• October, 2007 | Orlando, Florida
  

"Military Leave and USERRA in the Public Sector"

• Space Coast Public Personnel & Risk Management Association
• May, 2007 | Viera, Florida
  

"Conducting Workplace Investigations: Weingarten, Bill of Rights, and Other Issues"

• 31st Annual Public Employment Labor Relations Forum, The Florida Bar
  
• October, 2005 | Orlando, Florida
  

Admitted to Practice Law

The Florida Bar

Admitted to Practice Law

California State Bar