Don Philbin, J.D., M.B.A., LL.M., was named “Lawyer of the Year” in San Antonio by Best Lawyers® (Mediation: 2014, 2016; Arbitration: 2018), was recognized as the 2011 Outstanding Lawyer in Mediation by the San Antonio Business Journal, is one of eleven Texas lawyers and five “North American Thought Leaders” in the 2017 Who’s Who Legal: Mediation Analysis, and is listed in Texas Super Lawyers. He is an elected fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, the American Academy of Civil Trial Mediators, the Texas Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and is past chair of the State Bar of Texas ADR Section. Don is also president of Picture It Settled®, Moneyball for negotiation, curator of www.ADRtoolbox.com, and an adjunct professor of law.
Education
- LL.M. in Dispute Resolution (2007), Pepperdine University School of Law (Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution)
- MBA (Executive Program, 2001), University of Texas at San Antonio
- JD (1987), Pepperdine University School of Law
- BA, Business Administration (1984), Trinity University
Mediation Training
- Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution (ranked No. 1 in the country by U.S. News and World Report multiple times, including years of LL.M. training), Pepperdine University School of Law (TADRA §154.052(a))
- Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School
- Cambridge Executive Enterprises: Senior Executive Training
- Austin Dispute Resolution Center, Advanced Family Mediation Training (2007) (TADRA §154.052(b))
- Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, Group Facilitation Skills Training (2007), Children’s Court Training (2010)
- National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals: Advanced Mediation Training Retreat (Orlando 2010; Amelia Island 2011 (faculty); Boston 2013 (faculty))
- International Academy of Mediators: Advanced Mediation Training (Salt Lake City 2010; Nashville 2010 (faculty); Austin 2011; Washington 2012; Harvard 2012; Chicago 2014; Austin 2017 (faculty))
- American Academy of Civil Trial Mediators, Advanced Mediation Training (Manchester 2010 (faculty); Lake George 2012; Couer d’Alene 2013 (faculty); Half Moon Bay 2017)
- Association of Attorney-Mediators (Austin 2008 (faculty); San Antonio 2009; St. Louis 2010; New Orleans 2011 (faculty); Austin 2012 (faculty); Dallas 2014 (faculty)); San Antonio 2015 (faculty))
- Advanced Commercial Mediation Institute (AAA and ACR) (Austin 2008; San Diego 2011 (faculty))
- Global Pound Conference Austin (co-director, 2017)
- Texas Bar CLE: Advanced Mediation: Skills and Techniques (Houston 2009; San Antonio 2009; San Antonio 2010; Houston 2011 (course director); Austin 2012; Houston 2013); Dallas 2014; Austin 2015 (faculty))
- Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association: Advanced Mediation and Advocacy Skills Training (2007; San Antonio 2014 (faculty); Malibu 2017 (faculty)); Annual Conferences (2008 – 17 (faculty 2008 – 17)); Advanced Mediation and Advocacy Skills Institute
- Securities Arbitration & Mediation Hot Topics (City Bar of New York 2011 (faculty))
Fellowships and Honors
- Listed as a North American Thought Leader (2017-) and for The International Who’s Who of Commercial Mediation (inception in 2011–present)
- “Lawyer of the Year” (Mediation: 2014, 2016; Arbitration: 2018), The Best Lawyers in America®
- Outstanding Lawyer in Mediation (2011), San Antonio Business Journal
- Distinguished Service Award (2011), Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center
- Listed in Texas Super Lawyers (2010–present)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® (Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2007 – present)
- Listed in the U.S. News and Best Lawyers “Best Law Firm” survey (2010 – present)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in San Antonio (Arbitration and Mediation, 2007 – present; Business Litigation 2012)
- Listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (2007 – present)
- Martindale-Hubbellâ rating: AV (1999–present)
- Fellow, American Academy of Civil Trial Mediators (2009 – present); Editorial Board, American Journal of Mediation (2012 – present)
- Distinguished Fellow, International Academy of Mediators (2010 – present; Communication Committee 2011 – 13)
- Distinguished Fellow, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (2010 – present)
- Founding Member and Executive Committee Member, Texas Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (2010 – present)
- President’s Award, Association of Attorney-Mediators (2013)
- Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute (IMI) (2009 – present)
- Fellow, American College of e-Neutrals (2011 – 13)
- Credentialed Distinguished Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (2007 – 15)
Leadership and Memberships
- State Bar of Texas (1988–present):
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (2006 – present): ADR Section Chair (2014 – 15); ADR Section Chair-Elect (2013 – 14); ADR Section Treasurer (2012 – 13); ADR Section Council (2009 – 12); Communications Committee Chair (2011 – 14); Purpose Committee Chair (2012 – 13); CLE Program (Chair, 2011; Committee 2012 – 15); Litigation (1988–present); Antitrust and Business Litigation; Computer and Technology; Corporate Counsel; Family Law Sections; Annual Meeting Committee (2015); Fellow, College of the State Bar of Texas (1997 – present); Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation (2001 – present)
- American Bar Association:
- Dispute Resolution (2006 – 17): Technology Committee (Chair 2013 – 14); Negotiation Committee (Chair 2009 – 11; co-chair 2011 – 12); Task Force on Planned Early Dispute Resolution (2011 – 12); Litigation (1987 – 2017); Business Law Sections (2007 – 17); Life Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2009 – present)
- San Antonio Bar Association (1988 – present): Publications Committee (2010 – present); CLE Committee (2009 – present); ADR Committee (2007 – present); Technology Committee (2012 – 14); Life Fellow, San Antonio Bar Foundation (2007 – present)
- Member, Association of Attorney – Mediators (2007 – present); San Antonio Chapter President (2013 – present)
- Member, Society for Empirical Legal Studies (2008 – present)
- Member, Society of Decision Professionals (2008 – present)
- Member, The Texas General Counsel Forum (2002 – 06)
- Member, Texas Association of Mediators (2007 – 11; Co-Chair Conference 2011)
- Global Collaborative Law Council (2009 – 11)
Panels and Admissions
- CPR’s Panels of Distinguished Neutrals (2007 – present)
- American Health Lawyers Association Dispute Resolution Service (2014 – present)
- Conflict Solutions of Texas (2008 – present)
- Resolute Systems (2010 – present)
- Supreme Court of the United States (1991 – present)
- United States Courts of Appeal for the Fifth (1988 – present) and Tenth (1990 – present) Circuits
- United States District Courts for the Northern (1989– present), Southern (1989 – present; ADR panel: 2009 – present), Eastern (1990 – present) and Western (1988 – present; ADR panel: 2008 – present) Districts of Texas
- All State Courts of Texas (1988 – present)
Community
- Trinity University: Chair of the Associates Program (2009 – present); Alumni President and Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Trustees (1993 – 95); Board of Visitors (2004 – 06; 2009 – present); Business Advisory Council (1999 – present)
- William S. Sessions American Inn of Court (1990 – present): Immediate Past President (2013 – 14); President (2012 – 13); President-Elect (2011 – 12); Vice-President (2010 – 11); Treasurer (2009 – 10); Secretary (2008 – 09); American Inns of Court Foundation: National CMS Advisory Board (2008 – 10)
- Editorial Board, San Antonio Lawyer (2010 – present)
- Editorial Board, American Journal of Mediation (2012 – present)
- Rotary Club of San Antonio (2005 – 14): Director (2008 – 09); Secretary – Treasurer (2009–10); Sergeant-at-Arms committee (2007 – present); Trinity Rotaract committee (2008 – 12)
- First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio (1987 – present): Elder (2007 – 10); Welcoming and Belonging Committee (2007 – 10; chair 2009 – 10); Benevolence Oversight Committee (2008 – 10); Usher (1998 – present); Stewardship and Finance Committee (1989 – 90)
- Goodwill Industries of San Antonio: Advisory Council (2007 – 10)
- Leadership San Antonio XXIX (2003 – 04)
- Judicial Conference of the Fifth Federal Circuit: Host Committee (1990 & 1994)
- Adjunct Professor, Pepperdine University School of Law (2008 – present)
- Instructor, Dispute Resolution, Southern Methodist University (2013 – present)
- Guest Lecturer, Trinity University Business Department (various), St. Mary’s University School of Law (2009 – 12), University of Cincinnati School of Law (Advanced Decision Analysis 2009); University of Texas School of Law (Alternative Dispute Resolution 2012)
- Frequent Volunteer Mediator, Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center, Hill County Dispute Resolution Center, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
