Deborah A. Coleman, Esq.
Arbitrator, Mediator, Attorney
Cleveland, Ohio
Coleman Law LLC
Arbitrator, Mediator, Attorney
Mediator and Arbitrator, Coleman Law LLC, 2013-Present; Attorney, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, 1976-2013.
As an advocate, over 35 years of experience advising, litigating and resolving complex civil cases in the following areas: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: trademark infringement, including domain name disputes; copyright infringement, including architectural, artistic, and musical works; trade secrets; patent infringement claims, including business method patents. TECHNOLOGY: representation of business users and software developers in disputes concerning development, licensing or performance of software or hardware. COMPETITION AND TRADE LAW: representing and counseling clients in franchise, manufacturing, distribution, and service industries on antitrust and unfair competition issues, including those applicable to licensing or refusing to license intellectual property or technology. BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL: experience in a wide range of matters including claims arising from manufacturing, licensing, franchising, and real estate agreements, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, title insurance coverage disputes, and disputes among business owners. Has represented plaintiffs and defendants; has defended class actions. <br/><br/>In work as a lawyer, has handled matters arising in many sectors, including banking and finance, real estate, computer technology, manufacturing, distribution and franchising, health care, publishing, advertising, sports and entertainment, professional and other services, telecommunications, energy, not-for-profit institutions and state and local government.
Mediated commercial, construction, consumer, securities, employment, civil rights and insurance coverage cases; shareholder, family business and joint venture partner disputes, and claims relating to software development and professional malpractice. In work as a lawyer, mediator or arbitrator, has handled matters arising in the fields of banking and finance, computer technology, distribution and franchising, advertising and marketing, healthcare, hospitality, food and beverage, publishing, sports and entertainment, manufacturing, real estate and construction, professional services, telecommunications, transportation, energy, not for profit institutions and state and local government.<br/>Available for mediations via videoconference.
Helped to resolve a multimillion-dollar contract dispute between a large public company and its small joint venture partner. Mediated cases include disputes involving the alleged breach of software development or software license agreements, failed joint venture or acquisition agreements, disputes concerning intellectual property rights, claims of self-dealing or unfair practices among owners of closely held businesses, and disputes concerning alleged deficiencies in the delivery or performance of industrial equipments.
A mediator can help parties reach a private and expeditious resolution to their dispute, often by an exchange of value that no court could order. I try to assure that mediation takes place at an appropriate time in the "life" of the dispute, that the right people attend, and that each party has disclosed information that is essential to negotiations. I coach counsel and the parties to invest in the mediation, to acknowledge others' viewpoints and to forge agreements on process, if not on the merits. I strive to create and maintain a framework in parties feel comfortable disclosing their interests, at least in caucus - and in which different ideas for resolution can be generated and considered. I give parties the opportunity to be heard by an informed neutral, and a supportive environment in which to air emotional or other concerns. I am flexible in format and approach. generally avoid giving my evaluation of the merits of the case, but may, in caucus, share my views of how a judge or jury might react to particular arguments or witnesses.
Available to hold hearings and mediations via videoconference.
Harvard Law School (JD-1976); Harvard University (AB, magna cum laude, Government-1973).
Admitted to the Bar: Ohio (1976); U.S. District Court: Northern (1976) and Southern Districts of Ohio (2000); U.S. Court of Appeals: Sixth Circuit (1982), Fifth Circuit (2001), Federal Circuit (2005); U.S. Supreme Court.
College of Commercial Arbitrators (Fellow); Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center Tech List; International Mediation Institute (IMI) Certified Mediator; National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals; Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers; American Bar Association (Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Past Chair; Alternative Dispute Resolution Section); Ohio State Bar Association (Past Board of Governors, Antitrust Section); Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (Past Chair, ADR Section; Past Chair, Judicial Selection Committee; Rules Committee; Past Chair, Professional Ethics Committee); Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition (Past Chair).
Author, Chapter 8, Requests for Interim Relief" in ARBITRATING COMMERCIAL DISPUTES IN THE UNITED STATES, Practising Law Institute 2020; "Antitrust Issues in the Litigation and Settlement of Infringement Cases," AKRON LAW REVIEW, vol. 37, no.2, 2004; co-author, "Pleadings and Motions in Business and Commercial Cases," COMMERCIAL LITIGATION IN OHIO, Law Practice Handbooks, Inc., 1995; articles published in AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION LITIGATION NEWS, BUSINESS FIRST, CLEVELAND BAR JOURNAL; frequent speaker to local and national audiences on litigation, dispute resolution, intellectual property, ethics, and professionalism.
$450 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Cleveland, OH
The AAA’s Rules provide the AAA with the authority to administer a mediation including, mediator appointment, general oversight and billing. Accordingly, mediations that proceed without AAA administration are not considered AAA mediations, even when the parties select an mediator who is on the AAA’s Roster.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
