Professional Summary

Highly experienced arbitrator and mediator with decades of experience resolving complex disputes, both locally and nationally. Specializing in contracts, financial, employment and healthcare. A proficient businesswomen, who has worked in Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, is known for exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, to facilitate constructive discussions, helping parties reach fair settlements.  

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Work History

Owner, Linda A Michler (both Alternative Dispute Resolution and Law Office) 1997 – present.  Special Assistant US Attorney, Assistant District Counsel, US Small Business Administration, 1991-1997; Associate Attorney, Frank R. Fleming III PC, 1988-1991.

 

Experience

CONTRACT DISPUTES

Assistant District Counsel for US Small Business Administration and private practice in alternative dispute resolution helped provide extensive experience with commercial and governmental contractual issues ranging from negotiations to contractual breach of contract, real estate and title issues, product liability, Magnuson Moss Warranty Act - Lemon Law, subcontractor, franchise disputes, copyright infringement, and landlord/tenant conflicts.  Involvement ranges from two person to multiparty large international airport construction.

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BANKING AND FINANCE

Decades of experience has provided proficiency in all aspects of both commercial and consumer finance and banking disputes including lending and collection, shareholder disputes, bankruptcy and receiverships, creditor’s rights, deed recording fraud and mortgages.

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EMPLOYMENT

Proven expertise in employment law, ranging from compliance investigations to mediation and arbitration processes.  Providing an impartial approach to understanding both the employee and employer perspectives while maintaining confidentiality to protect problems from escalating, reoccurring and to identify systemic issues and trends.  Issues include employment contract disputes and negotiations, executive compensation, intellectual property, reduction in force and regulatory compliance – EEOC, PHRC and FMLA.

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HEALTHCARE

Successfully mediated conflicts between healthcare providers, patients, and insurance companies.  Skilled at effectively evaluating complex information and promoting impartial solutions, while ensuring regulatory compliance.  Some disputes involved product liability, physician employment contracts, joint ventures between companies and professionals, payment issues between managed care companies and providers, No Surprises Act and Stark Law compliance.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience

Conducted over 1000 arbitrations and mediations serving as chair, panel member or sole arbitrator.

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Technology Proficiency

Familiar with and accustomed to conducting arbitration and mediations using online platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting and Google Meets.  In addition to videoconferencing, willing to conduct in person, teleconference and hybrid hearings and mediations.

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Education

Duquesne University School of Law, (JD - 1988); The University of Pittsburgh, (BS, Life Sciences - Biology, Chemistry, Physics with Psychology Minor - 1977).

 

Professional Licenses

Admitted to the Bar: Pennsylvania (1988), North Carolina (2008 - inactive), New York (2012); US District Court: WesternDistrict of Pennsylvania, Eastern District of North Carolina; US Court of Appeals: Third Circuit; US Supreme Court.

 

Professional Associations

NATIONAL AND STATE: American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, NewYork Bar Association, Allegheny County and Washington County Bar Associations, National Association of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as an invited member.

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COURT: United States Bankruptcy Court, Mediation Panel Member, Western District of Pennsylvania; North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Panel Member Superior Court; US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Mediator, Arbitrator, and Early Neutral Evaluator.

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MEMBER AND SERVE ON PANEL:  International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, Mass Employment Claims Panel, Banking and Financial Services Panel and MWI Franchise ADR Panel; American Health Law Association Panel Arbitrator and Mediator, Chair and member of the American Health Law Association Dispute Resolution Service Review Board; National Medical Reviews Inc Arbitrator; FINRA Mediator and Arbitrator; Better Business Bureau Arbitrator; American Bankruptcy Institute, American Arbitration Association – Consumer and commercial mediation and arbitration panels and NC Disaster Mediation Program.  North CarolinaDispute Resolution Commission Certified Panel Member Superior Court.  See membership and affiliation section of website for complete list.

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Recent Publications and Speaking Engagements

My broad range of experience has enabled me to be a presenter and/or program developer for several CLE providers including the American Bar Association, National Business Institute, the Allegheny County Bar Association, Washington County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association and Federal Bar Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter.  I have been a presenter for advanced mediation training and have taught at Duquesne University, Robert Morris University and Community College of Allegheny County.