| Admission Details | 1995, Florida |
| Education | Wake Forest University, B.A.; New England School of Law, J.D. |
| Additional Bio Details | Mark L. Van Valkenburgh has been a practicing attorney since 1995 and is approved as a mediator by the Florida Supreme Court (Circuit Civil and Family) and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He spent the first half of his career as a trial lawyer, litigating a wide variety of real estate and business disputes. During that time, Mr. Van Valkenburgh began focusing his practice on employment related disputes. He has won significant jury trials representing both former employees and employers. In addition to mediating cases, Mr. Van Valkenburgh continues to litigate employment and commercial disputes. Mr. Van Valkenburgh also teaches the art of negotiation to students at the Barry University College of Law in his class "Interviewing, Counseling and Negotiation."
Mr. Van Valkenburgh graduated fourth out of a law school class of one hundred seventy eight. While in law school, he was named one of only two New England Scholars for two consecutive years and earned "book" awards in Business Organizations and Sales. He also served as Case and Notes Editor of the New England Law Review.
During his legal career, Mr. Van Valkenburgh has served on the Executive Board of the First Central Florida Inns of Court, was named outstanding committee chairperson by the Orange County Bar Association and was honored by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce as Leadership Winter Park's Volunteer of the Year. He currently serves as Past-President of the Board of Trustees of the Winter Park Public Library.
Mr. Van Valkenburgh believes that it is critical to be thoroughly prepared for each mediation and
to adapt during the mediation based on the facts of the case and the personalities and emotions of the parties. Before a mediation, Mr. Van Valkenburgh ensures that he is familiar with the subject matter of the mediation and, to the extent possible, applicable legal principles. During the mediation, he prides himself on being an effective, empathetic listener who remains flexible in style and procedure, effectively using his own negotiating and problem-solving skills to assist the parties in resolving their disagreement. |