SALMON & DULBERG DISPUTE RESOLUTION - Key Persons
Carol S. Cope is a respected and experienced dispute resolution professional practicing ADR for the past 20 years. She has successfully mediated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts covering a wide range of disputes, including acting as a sole mediator in multi-million dollar contract disputes. Cope has earned a reputation of being knowledgeable, well prepared, efficient, and effective.
A former federal law clerk, Cope is currently serving as vice-chair of the Federal Mediation Advisory Committee for the United States Southern District of Florida. She also served her alma mater, University of Miami School of Law, as Assistant Dean for External Affairs for nearly 10 years. She is the author of three nationally published non-fiction books.
Cope has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit/Civil mediator since 1990 and is listed as a federal mediator by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Christopher Benjamin is a panelist in the dispute resolution firm of Salmon & Dulberg. As a trial attorney, mediator, magistrate, real estate broker and title agent, Christopher has represented individuals and companies ranging in every aspect of law (and transactions) common to the average American and their business pursuits. In addition to his law practice of 20yrs, Mr. Benjamin has been a certified mediator for 15 years and has been appointed as a Hearing Officer in the 11 th Circuit's Traffic Division (for 10 years), and a Special Magistrate in code enforcement and red-light camera infractions for cities throughout the tri-county area (Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach). Christopher has experience in premise liability, insurance coverage, auto negligence, negligent security, family, creditor's rights, construction, lemon law, and commercial litigation. See also practice areas.
Christopher is Martindale-Hubbell "AV Peer Review Rated." He has been continually recognized by his peers in Florida Trend Magazine, Super Lawyers Magazine, South Florida Legal Guide and US News and World Report (online directory) as an outstanding attorney in his area of general litigation. He is admitted to practice in all Florida courts as well as in the United States District Courts of Florida and US Bankruptcy Court. Christopher's activities in the community included but are not limited to appointment on the Nuisance Abatement Board for City of Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade County Commission on Human Rights, Miami-Dade County Business Enterprise Advisory Committee, Miami-Dade County Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust, Miami-Dade County School Board Attendance & Boundary Advisory Committee and Miami-Dade County School Board Secure Our Future Advisory Committee. In addition to his various professional memberships, Christopher has also chaired the Dade County Bar's Juvenile Committee and Co-Chaired the Solo and Small Firm Division. Christopher has been the president of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, and president of the Florida Muslim Bar Association. In 2020 Christopher was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, as the Representative for House District 107.
Christopher is a well-respected mediator and arbitrator throughout South Florida. He was a contract mediator with the 17 th Judicial Circuit In-House Mediation Division. He serves on the panel for the Department of Financial Services, mediating property damage claims. Christopher was also a mediator for the Collins Center for Public Policy and serves as an Arbitrator for FINRA. Christopher has mediated over 2000 cases.
Job Titles:
- Member of Florida and Washington
David H. Salmon is a third generation mediator with Salmon and Dulberg Dispute Resolutions. David's mediation practice focuses on all manners of business and commercial disputes and first party property claims. David has mediated hundreds of cases throughout Florida, and has been mediating via Zoom and other virtual platforms for several years.
David's style as a mediator is upbeat, down to business, and patient. He is exceptionally capable with technology which ensures all mediation participants have a seamless experience when mediating virtually.
Since 2013, David's private legal practice has focused on early stage and high growth ventures and all the people that make those projects happen. He regularly represents entrepreneurs, professional investors, angel investors, high-net worth investors, investment funds, and rapidly scaling companies in a wide range of industries. David is frequently brought in to "help get the deal done" and it is this mentality and solution oriented communication style that he brings to mediations. Collectively he has helped his clients deploy or secure tens of millions of dollars and close hundreds of deals.
Some of David's prior work experience includes construction litigation in Miami, founding and operating several service oriented businesses, and teaching. He is a cum laude graduate from the University of Miami School of Law, and holds a Bachelor in Science in finance and entrepreneurship from the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida.
Ed Rubinoff has over 50 years of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in the full spectrum of personal injury cases, including medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, bad faith, first party property and a variety of other insurance related issues. He has been involved in the resolution of hundreds of cases by mediation on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, and more recently, as a mediator.
After graduating from University of Miami Law School, Ed joined the defense form of Preddy, Haddad, and Kutner. In 1992, Ed and Arno Kutner founded the Law Firm now known as Kutner, Rubinoff, & Moss which limits is practice to representing plaintiffs. It was during this time that Ed led the legal team that received the largest claim bill ever approved by the Florida Legislature in the amount of 22 million dollars. Ed's experience as a defense attorney was invaluable to the firm's clients. His experience as both a defense attorney and plaintiffs attorney is now invaluable in his role as a mediator.
Before attending law school, Ed played the international tennis circuit and achieved the ranking of Number 3 in the world in mixed doubles. Ed is a member and past president of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame and has also been inducted into the Florida Tennis Hall of Fame.
Ed is available to mediate or arbitrate virtually or in any of the South Florida Offices and in the attorney's offices upon request.
Elaine E. Feldman is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil, Family and Federal Court Mediator who has mediated more than 4000 cases since 1991. She graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with honors.
She received her Juris Doctor in 1981 from Brooklyn Law School and attended the University of Miami School of Law as a visiting student. Ms. Feldman is a member of the Bars of Florida, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the U.S. District Court trial bar. Prior to 1991, Ms. Feldman was a civil trial attorney specializing in commercial litigation, banking, insurance and real estate.
Ms. Feldman was a mediator for the 11th Judicial Circuit In-House Mediation Division. She serves on the panel for the Department of Financial Services, mediating property damage claims. Elaine was also a mediator for the EEOC and she mediated for the Collins Center for Public Policy concerning the Remediation Plan- Federal Class Action. Ms. Feldman is on the Commercial and Employment Mediation and Arbitration Panel of the AAA and has served as a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA. She has previously served on a Florida Bar Grievance Committee and The Florida Bar Fee Arbitration Board.
Board Chairman- Greater Miami Tennis Foundation (Mission is to bring tennis to economically and disadvantaged youth in our community)
Heidi M. Roth, Esq. is an "AV" Peer Review Rated civil trial attorney, specializing in transportation law, commercial litigation, insurance claims, appraisals, claims investigation and administrative claims. She has handled hundreds of transportation and insurance related cases, a number of which have resulted in both Federal and State reported decisions.
Judge Joseph I. Davis was actively engaged in the private practice of law for 37 years, 30 of which were with the firm he co-founded, prior to his appointment to the County Court Bench in 2010. He served both as a County and acting Circuit Court Judge continuously from 2010-2018, rotating through the Civil, Criminal and Domestic Violence divisions of the Court. As a Certified Circuit Civil Mediator since 2002, for eight years prior to taking the Bench, Joe mediated a variety of civil matters part time, while practicing law full time. He now brings a wealth of experience to the firm's distinguished panel of neutrals, as a lawyer, judge and mediator.
Lawrence A. Schwartz practiced law for 12 years before becoming a Miami-Dade County Court Judge in 1991. In 1997, Governor Lawton Chiles elevated him to the Circuit Court. He served on the bench of the 11th Judicial Circuit for 22 years. He presided over cases in the civil, criminal and probate divisions.
His Mediation Specialties include matters involving commercial litigation, probate and guardianship, foreclosure, personal injury, malpractice, employment discrimination, business and corporate law.
Lester Langer was actively engaged in the practice of law for 21 years prior to being elected a County Court Judge in 1992. In 1997, Governor Lawton Childs elevated him to the Circuit Court. Judge Langer served in the 11th Circuit for 20 years. He presided over cases in the civil division of the County Court, the domestic violence division where he was the Associate Administrative Judge, the family division, the juvenile division where he was Associate Administrative judge and the general jurisdiction division of the Circuit Court.
Lester is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Civil and Appellate mediator whose mediation specialties include personal injury litigation, real property matters, family litigation including custody matters, maritime litigation, employment discrimination including ADA issues, probate litigation, business and commercial litigation and foreclosure.
Michael A. Genden was a well-respected trial attorney for 22 years before taking the bench as a Circuit Court Judge in Miami-Dade County. During his 24 year judicial career, Michael served for 13 years in the civil division and most recently for 4 years in the probate division. During his time on the bench, Michael would often mediate difficult cases at the request of his fellow judges. Michael brings a wealth of legal, judicial and mediation experience to the firm's panel of distinguished neutrals.
Michael is available to mediate virtually or in any of our South Florida offices and in the attorneys' offices upon request.
Peter M. Weinstein practiced law for 27 years before his appointment to the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit. He served as a Circuit Judge for 21 years including 6 years as Chief Judge of the Circuit.
Richard D. Eade practiced law for 14 years before being appointed to the Broward County Circuit Court bench in 1987. He served as a Circuit Court judge for the 17th Judicial Circuit for 25 years where he presided over cases in the civil, family, dependency and criminal divisions of the Court, most recently for 10 years in the civil division. His mediation specialties include all matters which would come within the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court with an emphasis on personal injury, commercial, employment discrimination and FLSA cases. Florida Circuit Courts have often appointed Richard to serve as a neutral umpire in property insurance appraisals due to his extensive experience mediating property and casualty first and third party lawsuits.
Ronald M. Friedman was actively engaged in the private practice of law for 18 years prior to becoming a Circuit Court Judge in 1984. He served on the bench of the 11th Circuit for 26 years primarily in the civil division. He is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil mediator whose mediation specialties are matters involving commercial litigation, personal injury, malpractice, business and corporate law.
Rosa I. Rodriguez served for 19 years as a Circuit Judge in the Civil, Criminal, Family and Juvenile Divisions for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. She is a recipient of the Dade County Bar Association Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award. Rosa is fluent in Spanish and is available to mediate circuit civil and family cases in the attorneys' offices or in any of our South Florida locations.
Justice Lodge Founding Member; B'Nai Brith Justice Unit 5207, from inception to date
Louis "Manny" Hillman-Waller has conducted over 300 mediations in all types of civil matters. He is available to conduct mediations entirely in Spanish. His law practice has been primarily concentrated in the areas of commercial and corporate representation with an emphasis on international transactional and litigation work for both domestic and multi-national entities. He also has experience in Sports and Entertainment law and probate litigation. Mr. Hillman-Waller is available to mediate all types of commercial and business related civil disputes.
Martin B. Woods joined the panel after 40 years of private practice, during which he handled litigation and arbitration relating to commercial and other civil disputes. Over the years, his commercial practice included a broad array of matters ranging from real estate foreclosures and title claims to partnership dissolutions, franchise controversies, product liabilities, insurance and reinsurance coverage issues, securities litigation, and property management exposures. In addition to his commercial practice, he litigated numerous probate cases, from will contests to trust disputes, involving virtually every type of issue that might arise in that area.
Job Titles:
- Managing Shareholder
- Mediator
Michael H. Lax has an "AV" Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell as a civil trial lawyer who has been mediating as a Certified Circuit Court mediator since 1991. He is also Certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Court Appointed Arbitrator. He has litigated, arbitrated and mediated large complex civil cases in the areas of business and commercial disputes, insurance disputes, intellectual property disputes, medical malpractice, products liability and personal injury.
Miles A. McGrane, III has an "AV" peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell as a civil trial lawyer. He has tried over 250 civil cases to verdict. A graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Miles is an Emeritus Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a Past-President of The Florida Bar, and most recently was appointed as a member of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners by the Florida Supreme Court.
Patrick Russell's mediation strategies rest on a powerful foundation of tactical thinking, ethics, and diplomacy that are governed by his prior service as an ethics trial lawyer for The Florida Bar. In addition to his ethics work, Patrick has close to three decades of legal experience as a statewide litigator prosecuting and defending civil claims in the private sector for both small and large law firms. Given his extensive experience as both a Plaintiff and Defense lawyer, Patrick understands how to leverage pressure points and countermeasures that surface during a case, which provides an enhanced perspective for conflict resolution as a mediator.
Job Titles:
- Member and Managing Shareholder
Member and managing shareholder: Peters, Robertson, Lax, Parsons, Welcher, Mowers & Passaro, P.A. from 1983 to 1998; Practicing in the area of Civil Litigation.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Commercial Law League of America
Robert I. Rubin specializes in personal injury, community association law, legal malpractice, and business disputes. Robert has argued 43 jury trials to verdict, is board certified in civil trial law by the Florida Bar and has been awarded an AV preeminent rating by his peers in the Martindale-Hubbell Law directory.
Mr. Rubin is also available for arbitrations.
Robert L. Teitler is a Florida native who has practiced law in this state for over 37 years. Rob has worked for the state and in private practice, handling an array of personal injury and premises liability cases at both the trial and appellate levels. During the course of his career, Rob has handled hundreds of appeals, resulting in an impressive 213 reported appellate decisions. Rob has also represented County government for many years in various sectors, including labor and employment, ethics, procurement and transactional, aviation, personal injury and taxation, and has served as Chair of the City, County and Local Government Law Section of The Florida Bar.
Job Titles:
- Attorney / Owner, 1989 - Present
- Mediator
Thomas has been a Civil trial lawyer since 1977 and tried over 100 jury trials. He has personally led more than 1,000 mediation conferences during his eight years as a trial court mediator and is certified by the Florida Supreme Court. Thomas has also done many arbitrations as either the sole arbitrator or the neutral arbitrator and has extensive experience in admiralty matters, personal injury matters and commercial matters.