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.
General Experience
Forty years of legal 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 estate transactional work included purchase and sale, contract and deed, 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 of lender liability claims. Mortgage and trust deed foreclosures. Defense 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.
Experience as a Mediator
Primarily business and commercial disputes between and among business entities and individuals. Volunteer mediation in small claims court and mediation for cases in the Oregon Court of Appeals. Securities claims between customers and broker-dealers as a member of the FINRA mediation panel and by private engagement. Franchise cases between franchisor and franchisee. Real property disputes between Seller and Buyer and Lessor/Lessee. Construction cases involving architects and contractors and defect and delay claims. Employment cases including class action claim for overtime pay and wrongful discharge claim.
Representative Issues Handled as a Mediator
Franchise cases involving contract and statutory claims, claims for rescission and specific performance and covenant not to compete. Securities cases involving suitability, churning, breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence and statutory claims. Real property cases involving purchase and sale, lease, easement and boundary issues. Construction defect cases involving water damage, delay claims and critical path issues. closely held business cases involving disagreements among principals including mediation of a law firm dissolution.
Multi-Party Mediation Experience
About 30% of private mediations have involved 3 to 5 parties.
Years of Practice as a Mediator
23
Total Number of Cases Mediated
500
Mediation Experience as an Advocate or Party
Securities cases, transportation cases and contract cases involving large dollar amounts.
Mediation Philosophy
I subscribe to the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators promulgated jointly by AAA/ABA/ACR. I respect the parties' right to self-determination. I view mediation as focused and concentrated settlement negotiation. I use a combination of facilitative and evaluative styles. Evaluative, only if it seems appropriate.
Mediation References
Paul T. Fortino, (503) 727-2014; Christopher H. Kent, (503) 220-0717; Steven K. Blackhurst, (503) 226-8439; additional reference available upon request.
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).
Awards and Honors
Martindale-Hubbel AV rating since 1972; Named as an Oregon Super Lawyer in Dispute Resolution 2006; certified as a professional mediator by the International Mediation Institute, www.imimediation.org.
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.
Hourly Mediation Rate
$300 Per Hour. Hourly rate for preparation (including study time), conferences and follow-up time. Conference room facilities are available in my office in Portland. Willing to travel if reasonable expenses are reimbursed. No charge for travel time.
Citizenship
United States of America
Locale
Portland, OR