Michelle Romine, Esq.
Arbitrator, mediator, attorney
Dallas, Texas
Experienced in effectively managing and resolving domestic US and international disputes in arbitration through award issuance.
Experienced in negotiating and documenting commercial transactions and business deals and in assisting parties in bridging their differences, particularly in re-working deal terms, as a mediator.
Experienced in presenting commercial cases to judges and juries and arguing appeals for both plaintiffs and defendants as a litigator.
Prioritizes responsiveness and efficiency in addressing parties' interests in pre-hearing stages of arbitration, fair presentation of evidence at hearing, and application of precedents and statutes to bring reliability in dispute resolution.
Experienced in negotiating and documenting commercial transactions and business deals and in assisting parties in bridging their differences, particularly in re-working deal terms, as a mediator.
Experienced in presenting commercial cases to judges and juries and arguing appeals for both plaintiffs and defendants as a litigator.
Prioritizes responsiveness and efficiency in addressing parties' interests in pre-hearing stages of arbitration, fair presentation of evidence at hearing, and application of precedents and statutes to bring reliability in dispute resolution.
Melinda G. Jayson, P.C.
Arbitrator, mediator, attorney
Melinda G. Jayson P.C., 1989-Present; Counsel, Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated, 2008-2009; General Counsel, Hall Financial Group and affiliates, 1999-2008; Partner/Associate, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, 1980-1996.
BUSINESS DISPUTES AND COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS: primarily regarding entity management and control, member/shareholder disputes, general contract rights and duties, valuation.
HEALTHCARE: primarily regarding general contract rights and corporate disputes among members/shareholders, payor/provider matters, 340B issues, pharmaceutical and medical device product development/life sciences, long-term care facility matters, CMS rules.
TECHNOLOGY: primarily regarding development and ownership of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) programs, source code, trade secrets, licensing, data breaches, development of medical diagnostic tools and devices; technology development disputes.
REAL PROPERTY/CONSTRUCTION/FINANCING: primarily regarding construction and management of office, condominium, multi-family, and hospitality developments; real estate lending and lending disputes (borrower and lender); leasing and lease disputes; environmental compliance.
EMPLOYMENT: primarily regarding executive agreements and termination, employee raiding, discrimination, competition, retaliation, wage and hour calculations, FLSA.
JOINT VENTURES/FRANCHISING ISSUES: joint ventures to develop artificial intelligence, machine learning programming, and information management systems; to develop and manage real estate projects; and to develop life science and medical technology including diagnostic tools and medical devices. Franchisor/franchisee financial disputes and disputes regarding franchise termination.
OTHER EXPERIENCE:
International disputes: primarily involving international real estate projects in Latin America and western Europe and divestitures of foreign subsidiaries or assets of domestic US entities.
Business advisory: managed relationships with outside professionals (attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and real estate consultants) for closely-held investment entity primarily investing in real estate and public securities.
Healthcare advisory: served pro bono as legal consultant to an advisory committee for families of residents in a for-profit long-term healthcare facility regarding resident rights.
General Counsel: to a holding company and controlled entities in USA and Europe that conducted business in multiple lines including real estate development, construction, financing, and management; energy production; technology, software development, and information management systems and services; securities transactions including private placement purchases and sales; agricultural and winery production and hospitality development. Extensive transactional experience.
Large law firm commercial litigation partner: represented plaintiffs and defendants; jury and non-jury trial experience in federal and state courts.
HEALTHCARE: primarily regarding general contract rights and corporate disputes among members/shareholders, payor/provider matters, 340B issues, pharmaceutical and medical device product development/life sciences, long-term care facility matters, CMS rules.
TECHNOLOGY: primarily regarding development and ownership of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) programs, source code, trade secrets, licensing, data breaches, development of medical diagnostic tools and devices; technology development disputes.
REAL PROPERTY/CONSTRUCTION/FINANCING: primarily regarding construction and management of office, condominium, multi-family, and hospitality developments; real estate lending and lending disputes (borrower and lender); leasing and lease disputes; environmental compliance.
EMPLOYMENT: primarily regarding executive agreements and termination, employee raiding, discrimination, competition, retaliation, wage and hour calculations, FLSA.
JOINT VENTURES/FRANCHISING ISSUES: joint ventures to develop artificial intelligence, machine learning programming, and information management systems; to develop and manage real estate projects; and to develop life science and medical technology including diagnostic tools and medical devices. Franchisor/franchisee financial disputes and disputes regarding franchise termination.
OTHER EXPERIENCE:
International disputes: primarily involving international real estate projects in Latin America and western Europe and divestitures of foreign subsidiaries or assets of domestic US entities.
Business advisory: managed relationships with outside professionals (attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, and real estate consultants) for closely-held investment entity primarily investing in real estate and public securities.
Healthcare advisory: served pro bono as legal consultant to an advisory committee for families of residents in a for-profit long-term healthcare facility regarding resident rights.
General Counsel: to a holding company and controlled entities in USA and Europe that conducted business in multiple lines including real estate development, construction, financing, and management; energy production; technology, software development, and information management systems and services; securities transactions including private placement purchases and sales; agricultural and winery production and hospitality development. Extensive transactional experience.
Large law firm commercial litigation partner: represented plaintiffs and defendants; jury and non-jury trial experience in federal and state courts.
Experienced in mediation of transactional disputes involving domestic US and international parties, general commercial disputes, contract disputes including manufacturing, industrial equipment supply, energy, hospitality, US securities law claims, franchising disputes including for international franchised operations, employment matters (including for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) while a member of its outside mediator panel) in the US and involving employee claims under laws of EU nations, professional malpractice, and personal injury claims.
Broad-based commercial matters (transactional disputes, business to business, alleged breaches of contract, securities claims including fraud and fiduciary matters); franchising; employment discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment claims; personal injury and negligence claims; professional malpractice.
Often applies an evaluative approach to each side's contentions, analyzing both sides' strengths and weaknesses as perceived by the parties, particularly when requested by the parties. When a more facilitative approach may provide an opportunity for parties to maintain their working relationship or when requested to use this approach by the parties, may serve more as a facilitator.
Believes that successful mediation is premised on disputants' ability and interest in reaching reasonable compromise to enable all disputants to move from past events to focus on future benefits and opportunities, particularly when disputants may need or want to work together again or participate in a specialized industry in which the disputants may interact in the future. In addition to having counsel participate in mediation, having company representatives who were not involved in the events underlying a dispute serve as the decisionmakers at mediation can increase the likelihood of resolution.
Believes that successful mediation is premised on disputants' ability and interest in reaching reasonable compromise to enable all disputants to move from past events to focus on future benefits and opportunities, particularly when disputants may need or want to work together again or participate in a specialized industry in which the disputants may interact in the future. In addition to having counsel participate in mediation, having company representatives who were not involved in the events underlying a dispute serve as the decisionmakers at mediation can increase the likelihood of resolution.
Experienced in use of online video platforms Zoom Professional, Webex, and Microsoft Teams to conduct arbitrations and mediations, as well as in-person and telephonic arbitrations and mediations.
University of Texas (JD, with honors - 1980; BA, with highest honors - 1977). Pepperdine University School of Law (LLM courses in Alternative Dispute Resolution).
Admitted to the Bar: Texas; U.S. District Courts: Northern and Southern Districts of Texas; U.S. Courts of Appeals: Fifth, Eighth, and Eleventh Circuits; U.S. Supreme Court.
Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators (Outreach Committee, 2014-2015; Video Project co-chair, 2015-2016); Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb); State Bar of Texas (Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Council member, 2012-2015; Grievance Committee Professionalism Enhancement Program Subcommittee, 1997-1999); Institute for Transnational Arbitration (Advisory Board); American Health Lawyers Association (Dispute Resolution Service Review Board, 2018-2021; ADR Program Planning Committee, 2012-2015); United States Council for International Business; SMU Dedman School of Law Corporate Counsel Symposium Advisory Board.
"In-House Counsel Arbitration Essentials from General Counsel-Arbitrators," American Health Law Association, 2022; ""Tips for Improving the Arbitration Process," State Bar of Texas ADR Section, 2020; "What Should Party-Appointed Arbitrators Do When We're Expected to Select the Chair?," College of Commercial Arbitrators regional meeting, 2019; "Understanding the Stages of Arbitration and Why Each Stage is Important From a Client's, Arbitrator's, and Counsel's Perspective," Dallas Bar Association ADR Section, 2019; "Understanding the Stages of Arbitration and Why Each Stage is Important From the Party's, Arbitrator's, and Advocate's Perspective," AAA webinar, 2018; "Understanding the Stages of Arbitration and Why Each Stage is Important From a Client's, Arbitrator's, and Advocate's Perspective," State Bar of Texas ADR Section, 2017; "The Need to Knows: Trends and Lessons for 2017 and Beyond," AAA webinar, 2017; "Mock Arbitration Panel," State Bar of Texas ADR Section, 2017; "AAA Diversity Roundtable: A Look Into Diversity in the Field of ADR," AAA webinar, 2016; "Secrets of Success - Arbitration Pre-Hearing & Hearing Best Practices," AAA and CCA Effective Advocacy and Management in Arbitration, 2016; "Top Techniques for Improving Arbitration Case Management Efficiency," AAA webinar, 2015 and 2016; "Protocols, Processes, and Protecting the Award," AAA webinar, 2014; "The Dispute Resolution Spectrum," Dallas Bar Association ADR Section, 2012; "Arbitrators' Roundtable," State Bar of Texas ADR Section, 2010 (Austin), 2009 (Fort Worth), 2007 (Fort Worth); "Thirty Steps to a Better Arbitration," AAA, 2011 and 2005; "State Regulatory Issues for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers After NSMIA," National Society of Compliance Professionals, Southern Regional Membership Meeting, 1998; "Preparation and Presentation of a Case in Arbitration," Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 1996; "New Insights Into Defense Motions to Dismiss, From the Fifth Circuit," Panel Counsel Forum, Fall 1995; "Document Retention Policies," Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine, 1993. Chapter author, "Mediator / Arbitrator," chapter 9, 24 Hours With 24 Lawyers: Profiles of Traditional and Non-Traditional Careers, published by West/Thomson Reuters, 2011.
Videoconference hearings will be encouraged outside of Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant Counties, Texas, where agreeable to the parties.
$500 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Dallas, TX
The AAA’s Rules provide the AAA with the authority to administer a mediation including, mediator appointment, general oversight and billing. Accordingly, mediations that proceed without AAA administration are not considered AAA mediations, even when the parties select an mediator who is on the AAA’s Roster.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
