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Diana Santa Maria

Mediator
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Toll Free: (800) 668-2156
Phone: (954) 680-6228
Fax: (954) 434-4462

University Place
5220 S. University Dr., Suite 205C
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33328

Education

J.D. , University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida, 1984
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Order of Barristers

B.A., University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, 1981
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Gold Key Honor Society

Bar Admissions

Florida, 1985
U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, 1985
U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida, 2008

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

The Florida Bar
Member Since: 1985
Citizen's Forum (2000 - 2004)
Grievance Committee, 17th Judicial Circuit (2001 - 2004 )

Florida Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (2004- present)

Florida Supreme Court JNC (Judicial Nominating Committee) (2004-2008)
2004 Gubernatorial Appointment

Broward County Trial Lawyers Association
Member Since: 2004
Board of Directors (2004- present)

Broward County Bar Association
Member Since: 2005
Board of Directors (2005- present)

Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (n/k/a: Florida Justice Association)
Member Since: 1996 - 2006
Board of Directors (1996 - 2006)
Chair, Continuing Legal Education (1999 - 2001)
Chair, Allies Committee (2001-2003)
Endowment for Academy Giving to Law and Education (Patron)
Florida Lawyer's Action Group (Trustee) 2002-2005

Florida Lawyer's Action Group
Member Since: 2002 - 2005
Trustee

American Board of Trial Advocates
Treasurer (Executive Board-Ft. Lauderdale Chapter)

The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (n/k/a: American Justice Association)
Sustaining Member

Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
Member

Coalition for Family Safety
Charter Member, Officer and Director

Published Works

  • Co-Author, "Seven Steps to Effective Mediation", Trial, June, 1997
  • "Mediation Strategy and Techniques", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1996
  • "Handling Causation Issues in the Low Impact Case", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1998
  • "Demand Packages that Get Results and Winning at Mediation", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, 1999
  • "Frye and Daubert Hearings and Issues", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February, 2001
  • "Trial of the Soft Tissue Case", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June, 2001
  • "Cross Examination of a Lay Witness at Trial", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, August, 2001
  • "Proof and Argument of Liability In the Slippery Surface Slip & Fall Case", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, April, 2002
  • "Settlement and Negotiation in Mediation", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, June, 2002
  • "Direct Examination of the Plaintiff - A Demonstration by the Masters", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, October, 2002
  • "Ten Most Commonly Misunderstood Litigation Deadlines", Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, February, 2003
  • "Depositions", Practicing with Professionalism Seminar, Florida Bar, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, December, 2003
  • "Managing Your Own Law Practice", Florida Association of Women Lawyers, January, 2003
  • "Proof and Argument of Past and Future Medical and Related Expenses at Trial", February, 2006
  • Co-Author and Lecturer: "Handling Sex Abuse Cases Involving Minors in Public Schools", May, 2006

Honors and Awards

  • Golden Key Honor Society
  • Order of Barristers (University of Miami Law School Honor Society)
  • State Moot Court Team (for the University of Miami School of Law 1984)
  • "Best Brief Award", Robert Orseck Memorial State Moot Court Competition, 1984
  • Listed, Who's Who in American Law, 9th Edition
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Florida SuperLawyers 2005 - 2008
  • Martindale Hubbel AV rated
  • Martindale Hubbel Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers of America 2009