Douglas Furlong

I have been mediating cases since 1997. First, as an adjunct to a robust civil litigation practice, and then full-time through my own ADR firm. I bring to each mediation 30-plus years’ experience as a busy litigator representing both plaintiffs and defendants in all types of matters, including many complex, high dollar, multi-party cases. I know what matters to attorneys when evaluating cases for settlement, and I draw from that experience to offer direct, straightforward reality checking when meeting privately with each side.

That’s when the real work of mediation happens. No more litigation spin, no more posturing—just honest discussion and assessment. The attorneys who hire me want and expect that I will candidly evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both theirs and their opponent’s cases without pulling any punches. This enables real negotiations to finally occur based on what each side can actually argue and prove.  

I don’t determine that a case should or should not settle for a certain amount, nor do I attempt to “level the power dynamics.” That’s the attorneys’ job. My job is to facilitate meaningful, realistic discussions that lead the parties to a decision point--- does it make sense to settle their case on the terms the mediation process has produced?

In order to do this effectively and credibly I read and thoroughly digest all of the materials both sides have provided. I then round out my understanding in private discussions with each attorney prior to the mediation. By the time we sit down for mediation I have taken the time to learn each side’s case, warts and all.  

Finally, persistence. As long as I sense there’s still an opportunity for the parties to come to an agreement they’d both find acceptable I will keep working the case. There have been many times where both attorneys will tell me at 10:00 am that the case will never settle and at 6:00 pm they are inking their agreement, happy they were able to get it done.  Persistence pays.

• Undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University (B.A, 1984, Dean’s List)
• Law degree from St. John’s University School of Law (J.D., 1987, Dean’s List)
• Mediation Training Certificates:
  • 40 Hour Training
  • Labor and Employment
  • Estate and Probate
  • Transformative Mediation
  • Business & Technology
  • Commercial/Construction
  • NYSE Securities Arbitration
• Frequent lecturer, at the request of the Maryland State Bar Associaiton and law firms, on best practices to obtain optimal results in mediaiton

• Admitted to practice in the Maryland state courts
• United States District Court for the District of Maryland
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit

$575/hour, split evenly by the parties