Leslie O’Neal is Board-certified in construction law and a seasoned advocate with more than 30 years of experience. She has represented clients across the construction spectrum and now serves full-time as a mediator and arbitrator of complex disputes.
Leslie shared her transition from advocate to neutral—and how three decades in construction law shape her approach to mediation and arbitration.
Q: Tell us about your background in construction law or the construction industry.
Leslie: I spent 29 years in private practice with several law firms, focusing primarily on construction litigation. During that time, I represented public and private owners, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and sureties in a wide range of claims and disputes. These matters were resolved through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and trial—jury and non-jury—in state and federal courts across Florida and throughout the U.S.
I then joined one of my longtime clients, Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC, an ENR Top 25 commercial general contractor, where I worked with project teams and outside counsel to resolve construction and insurance-related disputes nationwide. After retiring from B&G in 2022, I became a full-time neutral handling mediation and arbitration of commercial and construction-related matters.
I was among the first group of Florida lawyers board-certified in construction law in 2005 and have been active in the ABA Forum on Construction Law for decades, serving as Chair in 1996-97. I was honored with the Florida Bar Construction Law Committee’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 and the ABA Forum’s Cornerstone Award in 2021. What types of construction disputes do you typically handle as an arbitrator or mediator?
The disputes I handle include delay and disruption claims, construction defect claims, professional malpractice, breach of warranty, payment and performance bond matters, water intrusion and mold issues, insurance disputes, payment, and liquidated damages claims, and more.
Q: What drew you to ADR work in the construction space? What do you value most about serving as a neutral?
Leslie: In both private practice and as in-house counsel, I saw the value of resolving disputes outside of the courtroom. Florida was an early leader in mediation, so from the mid-1980s onward, nearly every case I handled went to mediation—often more than once. Those experiences gave me a deep appreciation for the benefits of mediation and the importance of preparation.
As a neutral, I take great satisfaction in helping parties reach resolution so they can get back to their core business.
Q: What advice do you have for parties preparing for arbitration or mediation in complex disputes?
Leslie: Preparation is key, especially in complex cases. In mediation, I schedule calls with counsel (and parties, if needed) before negotiations begin to confirm that all necessary stakeholders—such as insurance adjusters—are included and that essential documents have been exchanged. Damage summaries and calculations should always be prepared in advance.
For arbitration, at the preliminary hearing I encourage parties to identify the elements needed to prove their claims and develop a focused discovery outline. To save time and costs, discovery should be limited to key issues. Well-prepared damages summaries and clear demonstrative exhibits—such as charts or graphs—can go a long way in helping arbitrators understand the issues.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in conflict resolution?
Leslie: My goal is to help parties reach a fair result in an efficient, cost-effective manner.