FN-7093 MN-7093 LN-7093, Esq.
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Kansas City, Missouri
https://www.adr.org/videoresume?paramName=274151533
More than 40 years of experience representing clients in complex commercial law and business litigation matters in state and federal courts around the country and in arbitrations. Current practice focused on alternative dispute resolution, participated in over 150 arbitrations as either counsel or arbitrator and over 150 mediations as mediator. A born problem solver, passionate about helping parties resolve disputes early and cost-effectively.
Rhyne ADR - Owner
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Owner, Rhyne ADR, 2023 - Present; Partner/Member, Lathrop GPM LLP 2004 - 2023; Member, Craft Fridkin & Rhyne L.L.C., 1987 - 2003; Partner/Associate, Linde Thompson Fairchild Langworthy Kohn & Van Dyke, 1974 - 1987.
Successfully represented construction contractors, insurance and surety bond companies, and other corporate clients in multimillion-dollar cases in state and federal courts around the country and in ADR settings. Construction experience includes design defects, breach of warranty claims, insurance coverage, bid protests, scheduling, delay and disruption, compression and acceleration issues, mechanic’s liens, surety bond claims, construction administration, and contract negotiation and drafting on a wide variety of construction projects, including highway, commercial, public buildings, detention centers and residential construction. Familiar with differing site conditions and dealt with catastrophic losses such as building collapses and related issues. Results: Obtained $1.5 million settlement following mediation on behalf of Jackson County, Missouri, in regards to design and construction defects at an educational center; Recovered 100 percent of costs for a national hotel chain from the general contractor and subcontractors related to mold remediation due to defective windows; Recovered 90 percent of remediation costs for defective construction and design defects against general contractor, architect and window manufacturer.
Chosen to The Best Lawyers in America®, 2011-2024; and Lawyer of the Year – Kansas City, MO Litigation – Construction, 2013.
Chosen to The Best Lawyers in America®, 2011-2024; and Lawyer of the Year – Kansas City, MO Litigation – Construction, 2013.
Counseled clients on a variety of construction law issues including construction and design defects, breach of warranty claims, insurance coverage, bid protests, mechanic’s liens, surety bond claims, construction administration, and contract negotiation and drafting. Involved in ADR very early in career, and has acted as a mediator in over 150 mediations involving construction disputes, business disputes, and environmental issues. Has taken extensive ADR training from AAA, Pepperdine Law School, and other universities and professional organizations on topics including mediating complex construction disputes, advanced mediation, preventing impasses, and more.
Construction disputes involving design defects, surety bond claims, extra work claims, change condition claims, and breach of warranty claims; recently finished successful 11-party, two-day in-person and Zoom mediation on a construction dispute.
Knows that one size does not fit all mediations and encourages certain best practices such as Guided Choice mediation, which promotes settlement at the earliest possible occasion. During a mediation, it is a lawyers’ job to help find the lowest cost point of case disposition for their client, and then work together with the mediator to help both parties achieve that goal. Joint sessions are beneficial in the right circumstance, but often are not effective and need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Works with parties to make sure they are fully prepared and have sufficient information going into a mediation to ensure a productive session and resolution to the case.
In multi-party cases, it is often possible to conduct multi-tiered mediation sessions designed to attack various specific issues – for instance, when there are defects arising from the work of several subcontractors, it may be appropriate to have separate sessions where the defects related to that particular trade or scope of work is the concentrated focus of the mediation. Also, it is often necessary to separate out various insurance and/or surety issues to determine scope and source of funds in order to fund any settlement.
In multi-party cases, it is often possible to conduct multi-tiered mediation sessions designed to attack various specific issues – for instance, when there are defects arising from the work of several subcontractors, it may be appropriate to have separate sessions where the defects related to that particular trade or scope of work is the concentrated focus of the mediation. Also, it is often necessary to separate out various insurance and/or surety issues to determine scope and source of funds in order to fund any settlement.
University of Missouri at Kansas City (JD, with distinction, Order of Bench and Robe Honorary Society, Managing Editor of Law Review-1974); University of Missouri at Columbia (BS, Business Administration-1969).
Admitted to the Bar: Missouri, 1974; U.S. District Court: Western District of Missouri, District of Kansas; U.S. Court of Appeals: Eighth and Tenth Circuits.
The Missouri Bar; Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (Construction Law Committee, Past Chair, Past Vice Chair; Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Past Chair, Past Vice Chair); American Bar Association (Dispute Resolution Section, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry, Association for Conflict Resolution); Construction Lawyers’ Society of America (Charter Fellow).
Lecturer, "Use of the Case Management Order, Guided Choice and other innovative processes to ensure a successful Mediation," 2014; "Understanding ADR, chapter in Preparing for Alternative Dispute Resolution Cases," 2007; lecturer, "Alternative Dispute Resolution," Legal Symposium for the Construction Industry, 2007; "Resolving Public Sector Disputes: A Road of Politics and Potholes," Dispute Resolution Journal, 2003; lecturer, "Design-build in Missouri and Kansas: Public Sector Issues/Competitive Bidding," Lorman Education Services, 2001; "Construction Law Arbitration" and "Construction Law Mediation," THE MISSOURI BAR ADR COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER, Fall 2001; lecturer, "Major Land Use Laws in Missouri: Ethical Considerations" and "Major Land Use Laws in Missouri: Environmental Issues in Property Development," National Business Institute, 2001; lecturer, "Dispute Resolution: Practical Solutions," Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, 2000; lecturer, "Environmental Considerations-Compliance Issues; Hazardous Materials/Solid Waste; Demolition/Surface Contamination; Stormwater," Law Seminars International: Construction Law, 1999, 2000; lecturer, "Construction Law: From Getting the Contract to Chain of Liability," 1999.
$400 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Kansas City, MO
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.
