O. Meredith (Met) Wilson Jr., Esq.
Current Employer
Wilson Dispute Resolution, Principal
Profession
Full-time Neutral Arbitrator and Mediator
Work History
Wilson Dispute Resolution, 2005-present; Partner/Associate, Lane Powell PC (and predecessor firms), 1965-05.
Experience
Forty years of practice with the same full service law firm. Principal clients were Southern Pacific Transportation Company and its motor carrier and pipeline corporate relatives and First Interstate Banks of Oregon and California, which later merged into Wells Fargo Bank. Real property transactional work included purchase and sale, leases, options and easements. Transportation regulatory work. Defense and prosecution of freight loss, damage and delay claims. Defense of lender liability claims. Mortgage and trust deed foreclosures. Defense and prosecution of claims on guaranties. Large commercial contract claims and claims for interference with business relations. Successfully represented insured in multi-million dollar coverage dispute. Pro tem Circuit Court Judge 2007 to date, hearing and deciding summary judgment motions.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience
Arbitrator for American Arbitration Association and the Multnomah County (Oregon) Circuit Court Mandatory Arbitration Program for more than 20 years. Member of the arbitration and mediation panels of the NASDR, American Health Lawyers Association and Arbitration Service of Portland. Arbitrated business, commercial, real property, insurance, and securities disputes. Represented clients in arbitration proceedings involving multi-million-dollar claims. Mediation for the Federal District Court in Portland, Oregon since 1986. Mediation for the Oregon Court of Appeals and small claims court as a volunteer. Representative cases handled as an arbitrator include a multi-million-dollar claim by an investor against a securities broker for damages resulting from sale of index options; a complex contract claim arising from sale of long-term care facilities; a claim arising out of international sale of goods involving issues concerning wrongful payment of letter of credit and right to reject; a dispute between condominium association and owners of underlying fee; and a contract dispute between a steel mill and its customer. Mediation cases include commercial disputes, claims against broker-dealers, consumer claims, real property disputes, franchise disputes, employee claims, construction claims, contract claims, insurance coverage disputes and business torts.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Training
AAA Construction Mediation Conference, 2007; AAA Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-Represented Parties (ACE002), 2007; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards (ACE001), 2006; AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics (ACE005), 2005; ABA, Use of ADR in Construction Disputes, 2005; AAA Arbitrator Ethics and Disclosure (ACE003), 2003; AAA Arbitrator Update 2001; AAA Commercial Arbitrator II Training: Advanced Case Management Issues, 2001; AAA Sponsored Training for Prudential Mass Claims ADR Project, 1999; AAA Commercial Arbitrator Training, 1999; Oregon Court of Appeals, Mediation Training, 1998; NASD, Mediator Training, 1997; Institute of Conflict Management, Mediation Training, 1997; University of Oregon, Mediator Training, 1996; NASD Chairperson Securities Training, 1996, 1994; various other ADR training.
Professional Licenses
Admitted to the Bar: Oregon, 1965; Washington (inactive), 1985; United States Supreme Court, 1971.
Professional Associations
American Bar Association (Alternative Dispute Resolution Section); Washington State Bar Association (Alternative Dispute Resolution Section); Oregon State Bar Association (Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Executive Committee); Oregon Board of Bar Examiners (Past Chair); University of Oregon Law School Board of Visitors (Past Chair); University of Minnesota Law School Board of Visitors.
Education
Harvard University (AB, Economics, cum laude-1961); University of Minnesota (LLB, magna cum laude-1965, order of the coif, Law Review-1963-65, case editor 1964-65).
Publications and Speaking Engagements
CLE presenter, "Ethics in Mediation," Oregon Law Institute, Portland, October 2007; "Ethics in Mediation" Owen M. Panner Inn of Court, Portland, May 2007 and Roland K. Rodman Inn of Court, Eugene, April 2007; Author and speaker, "Common Elements of NASD Arbitration Claims," NASD CLE program, Portland, 1995; author and speaker, "Injunctions Against Honor of Letters of Credit," "Wrongful Dishonor" ("of checks" or "items")," "Stopping Payment," Practicing Law Institute UCC Skills Program, New York City, San Francisco, 1988; Law Review case note, analyzed Silver v. New York Stock Exchange, 373 U.S. 341, 1963.
Compensation
$300 Per Hour. Hourly fee applies to study and preparation time. Cancellation fee ($1250) for each day of hearing cancelled on less than 30 days' notice. Willing to travel if reasonable expenses are reimbursed.
Citizenship
United States of America
Locale
Portland, OR