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Tennessee Judge Bernice Donald joins FedArb

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Judge Bernice B. Donald, ANTITRUST, APPELLATE, BANKING/LENDER LIABILITY, BANKRUPTCY/RESTRUCTURING, CIVIL RIGHTS, CLASS ACTION, COMMERCIAL DISPUTES, COMPLEX LITIGATION, CONSTRUCTION, CONTRACTS, CORPORATE INVESTIGATIONS/WHITE COLLAR, EMPLOYMENT, ENERGY, OIL, GAS & WATER, ENVIRONMENTAL/CERCLA, INSURANCE/REINSURANCE, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION, MARITIME, MASS TORTS, MDL, MONITORING, PATENT/SEP, PHARMACEUTICALS, PRODUCT LIABILITY, REAL ESTATE, SECURITIES/FINANCIAL SERVICES, SPECIAL MASTER, TELECOMMUNICATION, TRADE SECRET, TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT
July 25, 2023 – FedArb is pleased to announce that Hon. Bernice Donald has joined its panel as an arbitrator, mediator, special master and advisor for mock trials and monitorships. Based in Tennessee, Judge Donald will focus her practice on resolving bankruptcy, class actions, commercial litigation, employment, insurance, intellectual property, pharmaceutical and trade secrets disputes, and environmental litigation. Judge Donald will also moot appellate arguments.

Prior to joining FedArb, Judge Donald served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit from 2011 until her retirement in January 2023. She also sat on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee for 15 years and previously served as a judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Tennessee for eight years, becoming the first African-American woman to serve as a bankruptcy judge in the history of the United States.

“It takes careful thought and time to reach the best solution for any dispute, but there is deep satisfaction helping the sides think about their reasoning carefully and working together to find a resolution,” said Judge Donald. “I look forward to joining FedArb and using my experience, skill, diplomacy, and knowledge to resolve these important matters while achieving maximum client satisfaction and confidence.”

“Judge Donald has a breadth of experience as the result of her having sat as a federal Bankruptcy, District Court, and a Circuit Court Judge,” said Kennen D. Hagen, FedArb’s president and CEO. “Her background and experience affords viewpoints from all perspectives and enables her to bring parties together no matter the complexity of the issues. We are very excited to have such a talented and highly regarded judge join our panel.”

Judge Donald has received more than 100 awards for professional, civic, and community activities, including the Sandra Day O’Connor award from The National Judicial College, Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Memphis, the Martin Luther King Community Service Award, and the Benjamin Hooks Award presented by the Memphis Bar Foundation. She also received the Lifetime Achievement, the Thurgood Marshall, and the Constance Baker Motley awards from the National Bar Association.

In 2020, the American Bar Association created “The Judge Bernice B. Donald Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award.”

Judge Donald earned her B.A. and J.D. from University of Memphis and an LL.M. from Duke University School of Law.

About FedArb

For almost two decades, leading law firms have used FedArb’s panel of more than 60 former Article III federal judges and 60 distinguished neutrals to successfully mediate and arbitrate hundreds of high profile complex civil cases, typically achieving results more efficiently and cost effectively than through litigation. FedArb’s panelists also work with law firms on internal investigations, mock trials and on corporate monitoring assignments. FedArb provides around-the-clock administrative services and requires its neutrals to honor the parties’ deadlines, saving clients time and money.

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