Author: Leslie O’Neal
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Four Construction Mediators Get Together and . . .
By Leslie King O’Neal What happens when you put four construction mediators together? Of course, they talk about their experiences mediating construction cases. The Georgia Bar Construction Section invited Deborah Ballati, https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-ballati-75100515a/ Hal Gray, https://www.linkedin.com/in/herbert-h-hal-gray-iii-6174b419/ Steve Nelson https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-nelson-6a9b413/ and me to participate in a free webinar on June 20, 2025. Todd Heffner of Smith Gambrel…
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ADR Summer Reading List
By Leslie King O’Neal Nothing says “summer” like an ADR summer reading list! Perhaps ADR books aren’t the typical “beach reads” tucked into tote bags when heading for the lake, pool or shore (or other vacation sites).[i] But, this blog post suggests some interesting and insightful ADR books worthy of a place in that tote…
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Arbitration Confidentiality Clashes with Courts
By Leslie King O’Neal Confidentiality is Key in Arbitration The goal of keeping arbitration awards confidential often clashes with the doctrine of open access to court records. Confidentiality is one of the main reasons parties choose arbitration to resolve disputes. Unlike court proceedings, where records and hearings are usually open to the public, arbitration filings…
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Attorney’s Fees in Arbitration: 5 Things to Know
By Leslie King O’Neal Tips on Attorney’s Fee Awards in Arbitration Getting an attorney’s fee award in arbitration is the icing on the cake for many construction attorneys. Although the “American Rule” on fee allocation generally applies, contract language, arbitration rules, and applicable statutes can affect attorney’s fee awards in arbitration.U Understanding how attorney’s fees…
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Out of the Background—Into the Spotlight
Insurance Coverage Issues in Construction Mediation By Leslie King O’Neal Backups Play Important Roles in Music — and Mediation Backup singers and groups play important roles in all types of music, sometimes with credit and sometimes without. Rock & roll fans may find it hard to imagine Gladys Knight without the Pips or Tom Petty…
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GA Supreme Ct. Upholds Arbitration Award Despite Ex Parte Emails
By Leslie King O’Neal Ex Parte Emails Inappropriate & Unethical It’s well established that arbitrators should not have ex parte communications with parties to the proceedings. Such communications raise issues about the arbitrator’s impartiality and neutrality. Arbitrators should avoid oral or written ex parte communications with parties or counsel to prevent motions to vacate the…
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Construction Lawyers & the Art of Mediation Representation
By Leslie King O’Neal Mediation Representation—Underappreciated & Misunderstood While representing clients in mediation is part of most construction attorneys’ practices, few attorneys receive formal training about this aspect of their work. Mediation representation training is given short shrift compared to its more glamorous cousin, trial advocacy training. As a result, most lawyers develop their mediation…
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FAA or State Arbitration Law?
Which Applies & When? By Leslie King O’Neal The 100-year-old Federal Arbitration Act[i] (“FAA”)[ii] applies to all written agreements to arbitrate disputes involving interstate commerce, which is broadly defined.[iii] But SCOTUS cases interpreting the FAA have created confusion about whether the FAA or state arbitration law applies when there is a transaction involving interstate…
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