Tom McNeill

Tom is exclusively dedicated to full-time service as a mediator in a broad range of complex commercial and business cases and pre-litigation disputes. His mediation practice reflects the scope of his practice for four decades as a trial lawyer, in Michigan and nationally. He practices from an independent platform established in Fall 2022, Tom McNeill ADR, PLLC.

In his prior career as trial and litigation counsel with an AmLaw 125 law firm, Dickinson Wright, PLLC, Tom tried 57 cases to verdict or award (with his clients prevailing in each of those cases). At his prior firm (38 years), Tom served as national director of litigation, national director of lateral partner level recruitment, member of the firm's management committee (and as Deputy CEO) and member of its governing board.

Since 2017, Tom has served as a business litigation mediator -- first as an adjunct to his trial and litigation practice, and from early 2023 full time as an independent neutral. He works collaboratively with counsel to tailor the process of each mediation to meet the needs of the client parties. Drawing upon his trial approach, Tom prepares in extensive detail to understand the nuances of the factual, legal and practical issues that create risk and settlement movement in the case or dispute.

As medaitor, Tom focuses upon building trust with business clients and their counsel. Tom's approach is predicated upon fully engaging client decision-makers, beginning with pre-mediation day sessions, as the single most important factor in a successful mediation. For building rapport and trust with all mediation participants, Tom prefers in-person mediation, but he is equally adept at conducting mediation by audio-visual platform.

University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1981 (American Studies)

•       Magna Cum Laude
•       Phi Beta Kappa

University of Virginia, J.D., 1984

•       Law School's Trial Advocacy Award, and under Virginia's Supervised by Counsel Program, tried five misdemeanor crimianl matters, each to a defense verdict    
•       Founder, National Law School Invitational Championship Tournament (40th Anniversary in 2023)                              

University of Michigan, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, award winning 40 hour mediation course, participant  (2018)

University of Michigan, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Michigan Business Torts, Pappas, McNeill, Quick, Co-Authors and Co-Editors (1999 to present), the seminal text in the field, utilized by federal and state court judges and practitioners.

• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Inducted 2024
• International Society of Barristers, former fellow 2019 - 2023 (resigned after pivoting career to full time mediator)
• Chambers USA, from 2008, Michigan Band 1 (Top 5 trial lawyer)
• Michigan Super Lawyers, from 2006, Top 10 Lawyers (2022), Top 100 Lawyers (17 years)
• Best Lawyers in America, from 2008, Lawyer of the Year six times (in Bet the Company Litigation, Banking & Finance Litigation and Securities Litigation)
• Benchmark Litigation, from 2014, Michigan Star
• The Legal 500 United States, from 2019
• Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, Past President, Past Officer and Board Member, Sustaining Member
• Federal Bar Association, the National organization, Sixth Circuit Vice President (supervisory responsibility for 12 FBA U.S. District Court Chapters, Federal Litigation  Section, Vice Chair
• Michigan Appellate Defender Commission, Member, 2011 to 2023 (term limited), concluding as Vice Chair, Nominated by the Michigan Supreme Court, Appointed by  three successive Governors
• State Bar of Michigan Foundation, Fellow (Top 5% of the profession in the State), Cahill Leadership Award recipient
• Oakland County Bar Association, Fellow and Advisory Committee to Business Court, member
• Detroit Bar Association, past President of the Inn of Court ("Section of the Year" Award)
• Merit Selection Panel for Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. Magistrate Judge Positions, Past Chair

Tom's rate is $550/hour, allocated among the parties as they agree, with advance retainers required (typically aggregating to $10,000 for all parties).

Tom only charges for time directly dedicated to assisting counsel and clients in resolving the dispute. He does not charge for routine scheduling, administrative or logistical matters. He does not charge for in office expenses (lunch, beverages, snacks, photocopying -- all of that is included within the hourly rate).

For out-of-state mediations, Tom does not charge travel time;  and charges only for direct costs (air travel (but not drive time) and accomodations).

Tom does not charge cancellation fees and flexibly accomodates re-scheduled or deferred dates as requested or desired by the parties.