Finding a PREMi Resolution Specialist Near You…
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AREAS OF EXPERTISE
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Western Michigan University, B.A.
- University of Santa Monica, Masters in Psychology
- Wayne State University, J.D.
- Advanced Mediator Training (State Bar of Michigan ADR Section)
- Advanced Mediation Training (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan)
- Advanced Negotiation & Dispute Resolution Institute (University of Michigan, Institute of Continuing Legal Education)
- Advanced Domestic Mediator Training (Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Mediation)
- Conflict Coaching for Mediators (State Bar of Michigan ADR Section)
- Friend of the Court Custody Mediation (Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan)
- Fundamentals of Best Practices for Arbitrators (AAA)
- Unity Peaceworker Consultancy Training (Association of Unity Churches)
HONORS AND AWARDS
- AV Preeminent Lawyer (Martindale-Hubbell) – Peer Review Rating of 5.0 out of 5.0
- Best Lawyers in America, Litigation and Labor & Employment (2009 to the present)
- Super Lawyers, Michigan (2006 to the present)
- George N. Bashara Award for Exemplary Service, State Bar of Michigan, ADR Section (2009)
- Distinguished Service Award, Grand Rapids Bar Association, ADR Section (2008)
- Certificate of Appreciation for Exemplary Service, Kent County Circuit Court (2004)
- Trailblazer Award for advancing alternative dispute resolution in Michigan, Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan (2003)
- Certificate of Appreciation for Advancing ADR in Michigan Courts, Michigan State Court Administrative Office (2002)
BAR ADMIISIONS
- Michigan
- Florida
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- State Bar of Michigan
- Past Chair and Secretary, ADR Section
- American Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Practice Development Committee
- Dispute Resolution Section
- Kent County Circuit Court
- Past Member, ADR Plan Oversight Committee
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- Chair, ADR Section
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
- Association for Conflict Resolution
- Dispute Resolution Center of Western Michigan
- Past President
- Michigan State Court Administrative Office
- Various Workgroups and Standards Review Committees
Robert Wright has a wealth of experience in ADR as a seasoned and respected litigator, arbitrator, and mediator for more than 30 years. Recognized as a statewide leader of mediation, Bob has participated as either a neutral or a representative in ADR proceedings involving more than a thousand individuals and businesses in both business and personal disputes.
He customizes his mediation style to meet participants’ needs, helping them settle their differences quickly and economically, in a wide variety of disputes from business, bankruptcy, and employment matters, to family matters and even community public policy issues. In addition to his wealth of practical experience, he inspires and motivates participants through his uncompromising ethics, insightfulness, empathy, compassion, and genuine love of mediation.
A former partner with Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone for more than 20 years, Bob represented the interests of businesses and individuals in all aspects of commercial litigation from simple business-to-business contract disputes to complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy matters. In 2000, he discovered his true calling: assisting individuals and businesses to resolve their disputes more efficiently, cost-effectively and with greater satisfaction by serving as a neutral mediator. To pursue his passion, he resigned as a partner with Miller Canfield, became Senior Counsel with the firm and formed The Peace Talks, PLC, devoted solely to serving as an ADR neutral.
Bob gives back by volunteering with various national, state, and local ADR organizations and serving in many leadership positions. He has chaired the ADR Sections of both the State Bar of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the ABA Dispute Resolution Section’s Practice Management Committee. He recently drafted proposed new local ADR rules to bring mediation to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan. He serves as an unpaid volunteer mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan (also past board president) and as an advisor on the Mediation Advisory Board for ICLE.
A sought-after speaker on ADR topics throughout the country, Bob also trains mediators in ADR courses, including ICLE’s award-winning 40-hour basic mediation training program, and various advanced trainings for mediators, lawyers, and judges offered by state and local courts, bar associations, and dispute resolution centers, including the Michigan Supreme Court.
Along with his law degree from Wayne State, Bob holds an MA in psychology from the University of Santa Monica (2001) and has completed over 350 hours of intensive mediation trainings including: the Harvard Mediation Workshop (40 hours); Michigan General Civil Mediation (40 hours); Michigan Domestic Relations Mediation with Domestic Violence Screening Protocols (48 hours); Public Policy Mediation (30 hours); Transformative Mediation (40 hours); NVC Mediation (60 hours); and countless hours of Advanced ADR trainings.
Bob has long held the distinguished “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell and is perennially recognized with Best Lawyer™ and Michigan Super Lawyer™ designations, testaments to the wide respect and confidence he has earned from his peers for his knowledgeable, ethical and professional services as a neutral.
In addition to PREMi, Bob is listed on the rosters of the American Arbitration Association (employment & commercial panels); MWI (bankruptcy & commercial panels); U.S. Postal Service REDRESS program (employment discrimination panel); DeMars & Associates (CAP-RV arbitration program); and numerous state and federal court lists of approved neutrals.