Law Offices of Laura Bottaro, LLC – Arbitrator and Mediator

Arbitrator<br/>Mediator<br/>Former commercial and construction litigator

Founder, Arbitrator, and Mediator, Law Offices of Laura Bottaro LLC, 2021-Present; Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator, Bottaro Law Firm LLC, 2012-2021; Partner, Little Medeiros Kinder Bulman & Whitney P.C. (n/k/a Pierce Atwood), 2006-2012; Associate, Hill & Robbins P.C., 2000-2005.

Arbitrator in commercial arbitrations under AAA Commercial, Construction, Large Complex Commercial, and Consumer Rules. Arbitrator in commercial arbitrations under Fast Track (claims above $25,000) and Small Claims Rules for another arbitral institution. Mediator in commercial disputes under AAA Commercial Mediation Rules and Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island cases.<br/><br/>Subject matters of cases as arbitrator include: attorney fee lien, breach of contract, commercial construction, construction defects, consumer goods, consumer purchase agreements, contingency agreement, deceptive trade practices, diminution in value, fraud, franchise law, general contractor/subcontractor agreements, higher education law, insurance coverage, intellectual property, internet law, investor financing, land title, misrepresentation, negligence, personal injury, product licensing and sales agreements, professional malpractice, property damage, property valuation, public works construction, racial discrimination, real estate title insurance, real estate refinance, residential construction, royalty agreements.<br/><br/>Subject matter of cases as mediator include: breach of contract, landlord/tenant, product licensing, product royalty agreements, professional malpractice, residential construction, school administration.<br/><br/>Subject matters of cases as advocate include: antitrust, arbitrability, architect malpractice, bad faith, breach of contract, business sales agreement, class actions, closely held corporations, commercial construction, construction defect, environmental law, fiduciary duty, franchise, fraud, fraudulent concealment, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, injunctions, insurance bad faith, insurance coverage, joint ventures, labor interest arbitration, mental capacity to contract, minority shareholder rights, mortgage fraud, natural resources, nursing home negligence, partnership law, personal injury, premises liability, products liability, professional malpractice, property damage, property inspector malpractice, receivership, residential construction, royalty agreements, telecommunications distributor agreements, securities law, teacher contract negotiations, unconscionability, waiver, water law, workers' compensation law preemption. <br/><br/>Practice devoted to complex civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation throughout 20+ year legal career.

Mediator in 80+ cases, since 2019.<br/><br/>Representative matters include:<br/>-dispute between general contractor and subcontractor on commercial building construction project involving delay, mismanagement, substandard performance, and Prompt Payment Act claims (mediator, successful settlement)<br/>-dispute between inventor and manufacturer involving breach of contract, implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, exclusivity, and royalty fees claims (mediator, successful settlement)<br/>-dispute between injured party and auto policy insurance company involving breach of contract, bad faith, waiver, estoppel claims as to whether coverage was properly denied (advocate, successful settlement)<br/>-dispute between injured party and insurance company for grocery chain involving negligence and premises liability claims (advocate, successful settlement)<br/>-dispute between luxury car owner and insurance company for hotel as to negligence and property damage claims (advocate, successful settlement)<br/><br/>Mediator Rosters: AAA Commercial Mediation panel and Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island (CMCRI) panel. Also regularly mediate disputes in the Rhode Island courts involving eviction, landlord/tenant and small claims.

Breach of contract, bad faith, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, Prompt Payment Act, construction delay, substandard performance, disruption to critical path, product licensing, royalty fee agreements, professional/legal malpractice, commercial construction, residential construction, school administration, collection, landlord/tenant, eviction.

My #1 goal is gaining the trust of the parties so they can change from a litigation mindset to resolution-oriented mindset. Each side should feel comfortable that their confidences will be maintained and that the process will be fair. A confidential pre-mediation call with counsel to discern the major issues and obstacles is very important to the process. We also discuss whether joint opening sessions will be useful. In most cases, I request pre-mediation statements outlining the issues, key evidence, and settlement discussions. It is important that both sides: 1) intend to participate in good faith, 2) prepare in advance, and 3) plan to bring key decisionmakers. After all of this preparation, we will be poised to hit the ground running on the day of the mediation. My role is a neutral facilitator, but I will vary my style throughout the mediation as requested or needed. I have represented both plaintiffs and defendants in mediation and understand the unique dynamics presented to each side. Party autonomy is important. I will only share my views of the parties' positions when requested and/or it appears that it will assist with resolution. If the parties are unable to resolve their matter, I will stay with the matter, follow-up with counsel, and push for further negotiations which often leads to a settlement agreement.

Zoom<br/>Facetime<br/>LoopUp<br/>Google Meet<br/>Microsoft Word<br/>Microsoft Excel<br/>Microsoft Teams<br/>Microsoft PowerPoint<br/>Adobe Acrobat<br/><br/>Experience with fully online and hybrid hearings, including breaking parties into breakout rooms.<br/>Have a sample ESI Agreement available for the parties if needed.

University of Colorado School of Law (J.D.-2000, Member, Rothgerber Moot Court Competition, Member, Student Ethics Committee)<br/>Northwestern University (B.A., with honors-1993).

Admitted to the Bar: Rhode Island (2006), Massachusetts (2006), Colorado (2000); U.S. District Court: District of Rhode Island (2007), District of Massachusetts (2007), District of Colorado (2000). <br/><br/>Certified Mediator, Center for Mediation & Collaboration Rhode Island (2019).

President, Board of Directors, Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island (Board member 2020-present, elected President in 2022)<br/>Founding Member, RI Bar Association ADR Committee<br/>Lead Mediator, Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island <br/>Rhode Island Superior Court, Panel of Arbitrators <br/>Legislative Appointee, Rhode Island Senate Water Resources Board Study Commission <br/>Board of Directors, Save the Bay, member of legal and education committees (2006-2018)<br/>Board of Trustees, Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association (2006-2012)<br/>Leadership Rhode Island (2007)<br/>American Bar Association<br/>Rhode Island Bar Association.

Co-Presenter, "Tips to Increase Your Success in Arbitration and Mediation," Rhode Island Bar Annual Meeting, June 2023<br/>Co-presenter, "Drafting Stipulation Agreements," Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI, November 2023<br/>Author, "View from an Arbitrator, Tips to Increase Your Success in Arbitration” Rhode Island Bar Journal (July/Aug 2022)<br/>Co-presenter, “Overcoming Impasse: An Exploration of Strategies That Work,” Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI, January 2022.<br/>Co-presenter, "“Completing the Toolkit [for Mediators],” Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI, November 2021.<br/>Co-presenter, "AIA Contracts," Lorman Educational Series CLE presentation, December 2007

Rhode Island, Eastern Connecticut, and Boston area

$375 Per Hour

English

United States of America

Providence, RI