Jean M. Lawler

Ms. Lawler serves as a Neutral in litigated and non-litigated matters. Given her 39+ years as a lawyer - 37 of which were as coverage, litigation and trial counsel, she understands the realities of litigation and the benefits of mediation and arbitration as alternatives to trial. She has a proven ability to resolve even the most complex of lawsuits and over the years has negotiated settlements in thousands of disputes. Based in Southern CA, Ms. Lawler is available to mediate or arbitrate matters worldwide.

Recognized internationally for her expertise in the field of Insurance, Ms. Lawler knows insurance policies (primary, excess, reinsurance and surplus lines, including those issued by the London Market and insurers in Europe, Asia and Bermuda) and the insurance industry. She has advised underwriters and drafted policy forms and endorsements. She was a Founding Regent and Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and is a Past President of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) and the Insuralex Global Insurance Lawyers Group.

Ms. Lawler serves on the Mediation panels for the US District Court, Central District of California and the California Court of Appeals, 2d District. She is also a panelist for The CLM Dispute Resolution Program and The Mediation & Conciliation Network (FICM-MCN).

She is rated AV-Preeminent and has been included for many years on Martindale’s Bar List of Preeminent Women Lawyers. She has been recognized on Super Lawyer’s annual lists of Top Southern CA Attorneys (2006-2017 - Insurance Coverage; 2018-2019 - Alternative Dispute Resolution) and Top Women Attorneys in Southern CA (one of only 20 women in 2016 for Insurance Coverage).

When in private practice, Ms. Lawler represented North American, European, UK and Asian corporations, professionals, non-profits, individuals and insurers in a broad range of matters and served as managing partner of her former law firm, a prominent California based firm.

As President of the FDCC, she co-founded the inaugural “National Summit on the Right to Trial by Jury” which was jointly sponsored by FDCC and ABOTA in 2005 and continues today by ABOTA as its 7th Amendment Summit.

She is a member of Mediators Beyond Borders, the Association of Attorney-Mediators and the Southern California Mediation Association.
Affiliations and Certifications:

California Bar Association
Oregon Bar Association (inactive)
Panel Mediator, United States District Court for the Central District of CA
Panel Mediator, CA Court of Appeal, 2d District, Los Angeles
Panelist, CLM Dispute Resolution Program
Association of Attorney-Mediators
Southern CA Mediation Association
Mediators Beyond Borders
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (Past President, 2004-2005) and Emeritus Member
American College of Coverage Counsel, Founding Regent and Former Fellow (2012-2017)
Insuralex Global Insurance Lawyers’ Group, Past President (2016-2018)
Former Senior Partner and Managing Partner of Murchison & Cumming, LLP, Los Angeles
Managing Partner (2008-2014) Chair, Insurance Law, Cyber & Privacy Law, International Law, Business & Real Estate Transactions Practice Groups (various times)