President and Lead Trainer
Bob has experience in handling ADR cases numbering in excess of three thousand civil and family law mediations since 1968. As a registered arbitrator, mediator and neutral evaluator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, he has handled a broad spectrum of cases in numerous courts throughout the state.
Bob draws from an eclectic professional background in law, marriage and family therapy, communications and teaching. In addition to his present involvements, he is doing CE Trainings and Professional/Personal Coaching.
Bob is a graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, receiving the L.L.B. (J.D.) in 1963 and was a senior partner in the law firm of Berlin and Hodges, P.C. for 39 years. He served as a Municipal Court Judge for twenty-five years and has served as a pro hac Judge in three other courts. Bob served in the State House of Representatives, Middle Georgia District 86, 1973-1974 and was appointed by the Governor as a member of numerous state commissions.
Bob has received training in Negotiation Skills and Techniques (basic and advanced) at Harvard University Law School and Mediation at the University of Miami, the Atlanta Justice Center as well as two other institutions. He also received training in Domestic Relations Mediation in California and Multi-Door ADR training at the Georgia State University School of Law. Additionally, he has in excess of 15 years experience as a lead trainer.
Bob was a paneled member of the American Arbitration Association, serving as an arbitrator for thirty years and is presently a chief arbitrator for Fulton County (Atlanta). He also chaired a committee for the ADR Section of the State Bar of Georgia.
Bob practiced as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Georgia and holds a Clinical Membership in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. He is an Advanced Practitioner, the highest level of membership, in the Association for Conflict Resolution. This is the designation afforded only a very limited number of practitioners who possess significant experience and unique qualities.
Bob is a former insurance adjuster for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and also worked as an independent claims adjuster. He has taught insurance law and ADR throughout the years as an adjunct faculty member at John Marshal Law School.
Bob taught courses for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) of the State Bar of Georgia and currently delivers Mediation Training. Training programs and presentations on ADR and Mediation were delivered to the Insurance Section of the Georgia Bar Association, the Macon Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association Annual Conference, the Middle Georgia Better Business Bureau, the Claims Adjusters Conference of the Georgia Farm Bureau, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and Allstate Insurance Company and many others.
Bob has served as an adjunct professor at Macon State College, Middle Georgia College, Georgia Military College, Mercer University and the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University.
Bob currently serves as an adjunct professor at Middle Georgia College, Central Georgia Technical College and Herzing College. He is a approved Mediator for the United States Postal Services, EEOC and the FBI. He is also a national presenter at annual conferences related to ADR.
| Basic Arbitration |
| October 16, 2019 |
| Learn the process and hone the skills of being an Arbiter. We'll take you through Opening Statements, Witness testimony, presentation of evidence, cross examination and the writing of an Award. Class is 8 hours and is approved by the State Bar of Georgia and the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution for CLE/CEs. Additional fees may apply. |
| Civil Mediation Training & Practicum |
| September 30 - October 3, 2019 |
| Understand the nature of conflict, responses to conflict and the basics of conflict theory. Learn the skills needed to facilitate the management of various types of conflict in a fun, energizing environment. Real-plays give students realistic hands-on experience. This course is a comprehensive overview of appropriate dispute resolution processes. General Civil Mediation Training is the foundational course for all advanced mediation trainings. Topics include: Diversity, Ethics, Generating & Exploring Options, Negotiation Skills, Professionalism, Role and Responsibility of the Mediator, Advanced Communication Skills including Listening Skills & Re-framing. |
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