Decades of courtroom experience. A deep commitment to fairness and the rule of law.
The members of the American Arbitration Association® Judicial Panel bring extraordinary legal expertise, procedural insight, and real-world wisdom to their roles as arbitrators and mediators. With careers spanning state and federal courts—including trial, appellate, and administrative benches—these former judges now apply their judicial perspective to the unique demands of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
In this Q&A, Judicial Panel members reflect on their time on the bench, what drew them to arbitration and mediation, and what they value most about working with the AAA. They also offer practical advice for attorneys and parties preparing for ADR proceedings—and share how their judicial backgrounds shape their neutral mindset.
Whether guiding parties through high-stakes commercial disputes or serving as trusted decisionmakers in complex, sensitive matters, these neutrals continue to deliver on their lifelong commitment to justice—one case at a time.
Q: Can you tell us about your judicial background—where you served, the types of cases you presided over, how many years you were on the bench, and any accomplishments or moments you’re particularly proud of?
Raoul Cantero: I was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 2002 by then-Governor Jeb Bush, becoming the first justice of Hispanic descent and one of the youngest ever to serve on the Court. During my six-year tenure, I heard hundreds of appeals and authored more than 100 opinions in cases ranging from commercial disputes and criminal matters to administrative proceedings. I served on the Court until 2008, when my family and I returned to Miami, and I joined White & Case LLP.
Donald Kessler: I served as a Judge in the New Jersey Superior Court for 10 years, presiding over complex business and professional disputes. These cases included contract claims; corporate, partnership, and LLC disputes; business and partnership dissolutions; non-competition matters; trade secret protection and enforcement of restrictive covenants; commercial real estate and lease disputes; healthcare and technology matters; insurance; manufacturing; sales; and employment-related issues. As a judge—similar to an arbitrator—I handled only non-jury cases. I take great pride that I developed a series of seminars promoting fairness in the judiciary in the final seven years of my judicial career. These programs, most of which I moderated, were presented at the annual Judicial College and New Jersey Bar Association meetings.
Louise LaMothe: I served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California for 10 years, from 2014 to 2024. Based in Santa Barbara, I covered the northern portion of the Central District—our nation's largest judicial district.
My docket included a full range of federal criminal misdemeanor cases arising from activities on federal lands, such as military bases and national parks. I also handled habeas corpus matters and search warrant applications.
Drawing on my background as a mediator, I was frequently called upon by the court to serve as a settlement judge in civil cases. Many district judges referred their most challenging and protracted matters to me for settlement. I take particular pride in the resolutions I was able to help achieve—bringing closure to the parties involved and easing the District Court’s substantial caseload.
Q: What led you to transition from the bench to arbitration and mediation work with the AAA?
Carol Heckman: Although I enjoyed serving as a judge and was invited to a second term, I chose to return to private practice for greater flexibility. I became a partner at a prominent upstate New York law firm, where I built a strong commercial practice. Interested in arbitration, I applied to the AAA in 2008 and was accepted as an arbitrator and mediator. While my caseload started small, it grew steadily as my reputation developed. Today, ADR makes up about 90% of my practice.
Most of my work originates in New York City, but I’ve also handled cases in other major cities and frequently conduct proceedings via Zoom. I currently serve on the AAA’s Commercial, Employment, Mediation, Health Care, and Judicial Panels.
Harriet O’Neill: After nearly two decades on the bench, I felt a strong pull back to my roots in private practice. My judicial experience has been invaluable in this stage of my legal career. Now practicing before both trial and appellate courts, I have a renewed understanding and appreciation for the role of the advocate.
Ursula Ungaro: After 34 years on the bench—and having observed the good, the bad, and the ugly of advocacy—I wanted to return to litigation. I was also curious to see how the actual practice of law had evolved, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed honing my litigation skills in private practice again.
At the same time, I didn’t want to set aside my judicial knowledge and experience, which I believed would translate well to a mediation and arbitration practice. That’s proven true, and I find that working both as a litigator and as a mediator and arbitrator enriches my perspective and enhances my effectiveness in each role.
Q: What do you value most about serving as an arbitrator or mediator with the AAA?
Raoul: What I value most is the opportunity to tackle complex legal issues and help parties move toward resolution—often without the need for a final hearing. I take pride in maintaining objectivity and neutrality throughout the process, ensuring each party feels heard and treated fairly.
Carol: I value that the AAA is a not-for-profit organization, has been in existence longer than any other ADR provider I am familiar with, and has continually adapted to changing times. It has embraced advanced technology, improved its rules and systems, led the way in cybersecurity, and has begun incorporating forms of AI into its training programs and case management.
Donald: I value the opportunity to help attorneys and parties resolve disputes that might otherwise require a substantial expenditure of time and money. I am both intrigued and motivated by the challenges involved in reaching fair and equitable solutions.
Ursula: The best part of working as a mediator and arbitrator is collaborating directly with lawyers in ways that weren’t possible on the bench, to achieve efficiencies and, ultimately, fair resolutions to complex problems. In mediations in particular, I enjoy the informality of the process and the opportunity for candid one-on-one discussions that help illuminate each party’s interests and perspectives.
Q: How does your experience as a judge shape your approach as a neutral in ADR proceedings?
Donald: My experience as a judge enables me to identify and understand the relevant facts and applicable law, as well as to recognize and address the personalities that often drive disputed matters. I strive to convey to attorneys and parties that their grievances have been fully understood and that my proposed solutions are thoughtful, reasonable, practical, and equitable. To ensure the efficient and fair resolution of disputes, I encourage the parties to collaborate in creating a manageable schedule. I hold counsel to that schedule as reasonably practicable, while showing ample respect for the competing demands placed on them and their clients. I also promote direct communication via email with counsel to address open issues promptly and efficiently.
Louise: My experience as a judge informs my approach as a neutral, particularly when parties seek a judicial perspective during mediation. I find that litigants are more inclined to listen to and trust my guidance because of my judicial background. That same background also makes me somewhat more formal as an arbitrator than some of my colleagues. I believe parties benefit from a clear, structured process—with firm schedules and agreed-upon, understandable deadlines.
Harriet: Having presided over cases at all three levels of Texas’s judiciary, I bring extensive experience in case management, with a keen ability to identify key issues and tailor discovery to the needs of each case. My appellate background has sharpened my award-writing skills. I remain mindful of the importance of keeping an open mind until all evidence is presented and the law thoroughly considered. Above all, no skill is more essential than listening.
Q: What advice would you give to parties or advocates preparing for arbitration or mediation?
Raoul: Always structure your arguments to present yourself as the most reasonable person in the room. Frame your requests as logical and fair, and never misrepresent or stretch the facts in a way that could undermine your credibility.
Donald: Be prepared. Know your entire case, understand the steps required to develop a reasonable discovery plan consistent with AAA guidelines, and clearly communicate reasonable positions that will promote a fair hearing and/or resolution.
Harriet: Work in good faith with opposing parties to reach agreements before seeking the arbitrator’s intervention—no one knows your case better than you, so take every opportunity to craft your own solutions. Be transparent with both the other side and the arbitrator—credibility is paramount. And above all, be thoroughly prepared.