Join us as the Hon. Nolan B. Dawkins (Ret.), Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee (Ret.), and Hon. Alfred D. Swersky (Ret.) share their thoughts on how lawyers should prepare for a productive and successful mediation session. There will be a focused conversation on the ethical rules regarding competence, communication, scope of representation and diligence. The panel will give a step-by-step guide through a mediation session, offering advice and highlighting the ethical responsibilities regarding opening presentations, negotiations, closing the mediation, and suggestions for follow-up. Finally, the presenters will touch on the emergence of remote and virtual mediation work due to the Pandemic.

Hon. Nolan B.  Dawkins (Ret.)
Retired Judge
Alexandria Circuit Court

The Honorable Nolan Dawkins (Ret.) recently retired after over twenty-five years of distinguished judicial service in Alexandria, most recently serving twelve years as a Judge on the Circuit Court. He was the first African American Judge to serve in Alexandria, beginning his judicial tenure as a Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, including four years as Chief Judge. As a lawyer, Judge Dawkins enjoyed a successful career in private practice and as an Assistant City Attorney for Alexandria. He admirably served his community on various boards and committees including the Alexandria Community Justice Board, the Board of Governors of the Alexandria Bar Foundation, and the Virginia Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Court Rules. Judge Dawkins now serves as a Neutral with The McCammon Group.

Hon. Gerald Bruce Lee (Ret.)
Retired Judge
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

The Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee (Ret.) admirably served for nineteen years on the bench of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in Alexandria. Prior to his appointment to the federal judiciary, Judge Lee served for over six years as a judge for the Fairfax Circuit Court, and before that, he was a trial lawyer representing individuals and businesses in complex civil disputes. Throughout his illustrious career, Judge Lee served his community on various boards and committees, including the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, as Chairman of the Virginia Judicial Conference Judicial Education Committee, and as a member of the Virginia Circuit Court Judges Benchbook Committee. Judge Lee now serves as a Neutral with The McCammon Group.

Hon. Alfred D. Swersky (Ret.)
Retired Judge
Alexandria Circuit Court of Alexandria

The Honorable Alfred D. Swersky (Ret.) joined The McCammon Group in 2003 after eighteen years of distinguished judicial service in Alexandria on the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia. Before his tenure on the bench, Judge Swersky enjoyed a successful career in private practice,  served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Alexandria, and served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.   A leader in his community, Judge Swersky is a Past President of the Alexandria Bar Association, Former Chairman of the Electoral Board for the City of Alexandria, and Former Member of the State Bar Council for the Virginia State Bar.

Session Sponsor: The McCammon Group, Ltd.