Deborah Coleman

Deborah is an experienced arbitrator and mediator who has helped parties resolve complex disputes in many areas of civil law.   In her work as a lawyer, arbitrator and mediator, she has handled matters arising in many sectors, including banking and finance, real estate, computer technology, manufacturing, distribution, franchising, health care, publishing, advertising, sports and entertainment, professional services, energy, not-for-profit institutions and state and local government.

She frequently serves as arbitration panel chair or sole arbitrator, and has experience as a panel member.  She has arbitrated domestic and international business disputes, including  disputes about the development or performance of software, copyright infringement claims,  supply chain disputes, disputes between joint venture partners or owners in closely held businesses, insurance coverage disputes, license disputes, unfair competition claims and other commercial and business matters.  As a mediator, she has over 25 years of experience, helping parties understand risk, generate options and craft durable resolutions. 

In addition to her work handling business and commercial disputes, Deborah has deep experience in legal professional ethics, including as law firm ethics counsel, respondents' counsel, and as a member of the Ohio Supreme Court Task Force that developed Ohio's Rules of Professional Conduct.  

Deborah has been honored as an Ohio Super Lawyer from 2004 to the present, first in business litigation and since 2013, in ADR.  She has been recognized annually by Best Lawyer in America (Ohio) since 2008.  

Education

June 1973 A.B. Harvard University, magna cum laude. June 1976, Juris Doctor, Harvard Law School. 

Arbitration Training:  American Arbitration Association (annual training); College of Commercial Arbitrators (annual meeting programs); attendance at CLE programs on arbitration sponsored by the ADR Section of the ABA, Bar of the City of New York, CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, AAA-ICDR and other sponsors.

Mediation Training:  

Daniel Shapiro "Negotiating the Nonnegotiable: Leverage the HIdden Power of Emotion" workshop (2018);  Miki Kashtan “Convergent Facilitation Training” workshop (2017); Ike Lasater, “Advanced Mediation Skills” (2014); Forrest (Woody) Molsten, “Advanced Strategies for Building Agreements and Breaking Impasse” (2012); Zena Zumeta, “Workshop on Caucus v. Joint Session Mediation (2011); CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, “Advanced Mediation Skills” 2007; Association of Attorney-Mediators, “Advanced Attorney-Mediator training) 2006; University of Cincinnati Law School, Center for Negotiation and Problem-Solving,  Emotionally Charged Negotiations 2004; Capital University Law School, Center for Dispute Resolution, “Becoming a More Effective Mediator”' (2002);  attendance at CLE programs on mediation sponsored by the ADR Section of the ABA, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and other associations and institutions.

• Admitted to Ohio Bar, 1976; Sixth and Federal Circuits; the Supreme Court of the United States.
• American Aribtration Association Large Complex Case Panel; Technology Panel; Commercial Panel.
• CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals.
• College of Commercial Arbitrators.
• Tech List of Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center.
• American Bar Association: ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, former chair and member; Dispute Resolution Section; Center for Professional Responsibility.
• Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers.
• Ohio State Bar Association.
• Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association: Board of Trustees (2007-2008); ADR Section, member and past chair; Judicial Ratings Committee, member and past chair; Professional Ethics & Professionalism Committee, member and past chair.

Please call for details.