Services

Prior to Arbitrating and Mediating, Judge Leesfield served 19 years on the Circuit Court Bench. Leesfield now conducts a full-service Alternative Dispute Resolution practice. She frequently serves as a Mediator, Arbitrator Umpire and Special Master. She was certified as a Florida Supreme Court mediator in 2012. She has been a panel member (neutral) for the American Arbitration Association since 2012 and was recently admitted to the prestigious International Panel, as well as the AAA Healthcare Panel. Over the past 8 years, Leesfield has arbitrated over 85 cases, and mediated over 1,000 cases concentrating in the areas of Complex Commercial, Employment, Hospital/Insurer disputes as well as International (ICDR) cases and Injured Seaman cases.

Her recent mediation caseload has involved a concentration of Commercial law, Employment Law, Franchise Law, and Personal Injury issues, including Fortune 500 and worldwide corporations which she has tried as a private judge, or heard as an arbitrator. Representative cases (mediations, arbitrations, or special master work) include but are not limited to: American Express, Apple Inc., Baptist Hospital of Miami, Burger King, Bridgestone/Firestone, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Dade County, Florida, Ford Motor Company, GMAC, Honeywell, Orkin Pest Control, Starbucks, Starwood Hotels, United Health Care, and The United States of America. Many clients may not be mentioned due to confidentiality.

Florida Statute 44.104 authorizes parties to civil dispute to select and substitute a voluntary trial resolution judge for the circuit judge in the case. Almost all proceedings and orders are handled by the private judge including trial in a public courtroom. The right to a jury trial and an appeal also remain intact.