Judge Ursula Ungaro served as a United States District Judge from 1992 to 2021. Prior to that, she practiced commercial litigation and served as a state circuit court judge in Miami-Dade County, Florida, from 1987 to 1992. Upon retiring from the bench in 2021, she joined Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, where she is a partner practicing commercial litigation and handling arbitrations and mediations.
In a recent conversation, Ursula reflected on her 34-year judicial career, her return to private practice, and how her deep experience on the bench informs her practical approach to arbitration and mediation. Here's what she shared with us.
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?
Ursula: I served as a judge for 34 years, including 29 on the federal bench, presiding over a broad range of civil and criminal cases. While criminal matters were often compelling, my primary interest was complex commercial litigation. I’ve always valued using procedure and my deep knowledge of commercial law to reach rational outcomes. As a visiting judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, I had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues—much like the dynamic of an arbitration panel. I also served for many years on the Judicial Resources Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States, where we recommended human resources policies and addressed challenges during times of fiscal constraint. In addition, I chaired several local court committees and have been honored with multiple awards, including the Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Award and the ORT Jurisprudence Award.
Q: What led you to transition from the bench to arbitration and mediation work with the AAA?
Ursula: 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?
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?
Ursula: As a judge, I always sought to streamline litigation for the benefit of the parties, recognizing that litigation—often stressful and expensive—should usually be a last resort. That same approach is just as valuable in arbitration and mediation. Whether serving as a judge or a neutral, my role is to apply my judicial knowledge and experience to resolve disputes fairly and efficiently. Everything I learned in more than 30 years on the bench is directly applicable to my work as a mediator and arbitrator.
Q: What advice would you give to parties or advocates preparing for arbitration or mediation?
Ursula: For mediation, counsel should thoroughly analyze their case, understand their client’s goals and limitations, consider the opposing party’s perspective, and be prepared to negotiate flexibly. For arbitration, lawyers should fully understand the arbitration agreement, conduct a comprehensive investigation, gather relevant evidence, and develop a clear strategy for presenting witnesses and exhibits.