Rodney A. Max
Top rated Alternative Dispute Resolution attorney in Miami, Florida
Upchurch Watson White & Max
Practice areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Antitrust Litigation, Class Action & Mass Torts; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1976
Education: Samford University Cumberland School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2009, 2011 - 2012, 2015 - 2026 Call today:
386-308-4603
Upchurch Watson White & Max
One Biscayne Tower2 South Biscayne Blvd, Suite 2030
Miami, FL 33131 Visit website
A fully counsel-referred neutral, Rodney A. Max is trusted by top plaintiff and defense litigators to resolve complex, high-stakes disputes. His alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practice is built entirely on peer credibility and proven impartiality. Assisting clients and peers in mediation from his office at Upchurch Watson White & Max in Miami, Florida, he extends his services throughout the country. Through his practice, he strives to help involved parties reach an amicable settlement without the need for trial.
Having led more than 8,000 mediations, Mr. Max has extensive experience in handling disputes arising from matters including wrongful death, personal injury, breach of contract, mass action torts, patent and trademark, family and estate issues, and many other cases. A dependable mediator, he consistently demonstrates fairness and integrity, earning the trust of both parties involved in disputes, which enhances the likelihood of achieving suitable resolutions through mediation.
An alumnus of the University of Florida, Mr. Max completed his undergraduate degree in political science before pursuing his legal education. He received his Juris Doctor from Samford University Cumberland School of Law in 1975 and was admitted to The Florida Bar the following year. He is a Florida Supreme Court-certified circuit civil mediator and a mediator on the roster of the Alabama State Court. He is also a member of the Panel of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution.
Recognizing the profound personal and financial stakes of every legal dispute, Mr. Max views mediation and ADR as a vital path forward. He strives to be a steadfast, reliable neutral, providing trial counsel and their clients with a trustworthy, structured environment designed to achieve meaningful, lasting resolution. Recognized for his undying efforts, he has been listed as Lawyer of the Year in mediation for Miami and Birmingham by The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.
Practice areas
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Antitrust Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff, Business Litigation, Construction Litigation: Business, Consumer LawFocus areas
Antitrust & Trade Litigation, Arbitration, Asbestos, Auto Dealer Fraud, Class Actions, Construction Defects, Consumer Protection, Fraud, Identity Theft, Lemon Law, Mediation, Non-Compete Agreements, Toxic Torts, Trade Secret
- 30% Alternative Dispute Resolution
- 20% Antitrust Litigation
- 20% Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff
- 10% Business Litigation
- 10% Construction Litigation: Business
- 10% Consumer Law
First Admitted: 1975, Alabama
Professional Webpage: https://www.uww-adr.com/biography/rodney-a-max/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Distinguished Fellow and Past-President ~ American College of Civil Trial Mediators
- B’Nai Brith Chapter President, Birmingham ~ 1976-81
- United States Civil Rights Commission ~ Alabama State Advisory Committee ~ 1985-2000
- Member ~ Florida Academy of Mediators
- Member ~ Alabama Academy of Mediators
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator
- Alabama State Court Mediator Roster
Pro bono / Community Service
- NCCJ Brotherhood Award for Outstanding Community Service ~ 1998
Educational Background
- University of Florida, B.A., Political Science, 1970
- J.D. Cumberland School of Law (cum laude) ~ 1975, Member: Cumberland Law Review, Member: Curia Honoris
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- "Multiparty Mediation", The American Journal of Trial Advocacy (volume 23, Issue 2, Fall 1999)
- Mediation Panelist, Nat’l Assn. of Securities Dealers Regulation, Inc.
- Distinguished Panel of Neutrals, CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution
- Neutral Panelist, U.S. District Courts of Alabama
- Mediation provides a unique opportunity for the parties as it relates to the opportunity of a negotiated resolution of their case. Typically, in a negotiation, one party gets to his/her/its goal, the other party gets to his/her/its goal, and rarely are those goals the same. If impasse occurs, litigation will commence, continue, or be completed. Absent facilitation, no one is encouraging getting back to re-evaluation or re-negotiation. Certainly, someone can suggest continuing negotiation, but typically neither side wants to show the other such interest (it being perceived as a weakness in the negotiation process)., "Breaking Impasse"
- "Goal Oriented Approach to Negotiations"
- Mediation represents a unique opportunity to bring conflicting parties together to achieve a facilitated resolution. For many conflicts, getting to the mediation is simply a matter of agreeing to mediate, identifying a mediator, and meeting on the day of mediation. However, the great majority of disputes need a certain amount of preparation. That preparation includes choosing a mediator, exchanging information between parties, providing the mediator with the position statements, and preparing yourself and your client for the mediation. In the area of complex or multi-party mediations, even greater preparation is required. This involves not only preparation of your side,but preparing with the mediator and your opposition., "Designing the Mediation"
- "Mediation: The Humanization of the Justice System Resulting in the Truest Equities Among the Parties" (The Alabama Defense Lawyer Journal, 1999)
Honors
- Distinguished Fellow and Past-President ~ American College of Civil Trial Mediators
- B'Nai Brith Chapter President, Birmingham ~ 1976-81
- United States Civil Rights Commission ~ Alabama State Advisory Committee ~ 1985-2000
- "I Have A Dream” Award for Leadership in Civil Rights
- NCCJ Brotherhood Award for Outstanding Community Service ~ 1998
- Member ~ Florida Academy of Mediators
- Member ~ Alabama Academy of Mediators
- Best Lawyers in America ~ “Lawyer of the Year” in Mediation: 2010, 2013, 2021 (Birmingham); 2015, 2017, 2019 (Miami). Listed for Miami and Birmingham since 2006
- Super Lawyers, 2008-2025 ~ Florida and Alabama ~ As selected by legal colleagues
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Fantastic Mediator”
Office location for Rodney A. Max
One Biscayne Tower
2 South Biscayne Blvd, Suite 2030
Miami, FL 33131
Phone: 386-308-4603
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2009, 2011 - 2012, 2015 - 2026
