Resume

EDUCATION:
The University of Texas School of Law: Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1973
The University of Texas at Austin: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, 1970

DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING:
American Academy of Attorney Mediators (AA-M): 40 hour training
Dispute Resolution Center of Austin (Austin DRC): 40 hour training
A.A. White Institute: 24 hour family mediation training
American Arbitration Association (AAA): Commercial Arbitration Training; Arbitrator II
Pepperdine University Law School: Negotiation and Settlement Advocacy for Lawyers
Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, University of Texas School of Law Fellows raining
Bill Potapchuk: Public Policy Dispute Resolution Training
Every Advanced Mediator Training program sponsored by AA-M or TMCA since 1996
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Michael J. Schless, P.C., practice limited to ADR since 1994
Fleckman & Schless: partner, practice limited to ADR & civil litigation, 1993-1994
Fleckman, Johnson & Passman: of counsel, practice limited to ADR & civil litigation, 1992-1993
Judge, County Court at Law, No. 3, Travis County: 1982-1992;
Local Administrative Judge 1989-1992
Michael J. Schless, Attorney at Law: solo practitioner, 1979-1982
Friday & Kazen: Associate attorney, 1973-1979

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators since 2016
Association of Attorney- Mediators: Immediate Past President 2011-2012; President 2010-2011; President-elect 2009-2010; Treasurer 2008-2009; Member since 1996
Texas Mediator Credentialing Association: AA-M representative on Board of Directors, 2004-present; Vice-Chair 2010-2011; Chair 2012
State Bar of Texas: ADR Section: Immediate Past Chair, 2004-2005; Chair, 2003-2004; Chair-elect, 2002-2003;  Treasurer, 2000-2002; Council Member, 1999-2005; Member since 1992
Texas Association of Mediators: President, 1995-1996; Board of Directors, 1993-1997; Member since 1993
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals: Member since 2010
International Academy of Mediators: Fellow, 2004-2008
Supreme Court of Texas Advisory Committee on Court-Annexed Mediation: Member, 1996-2005
Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, University of Texas School of Law: Fellow since 1994
American Arbitration Association: Member of the Panel of Neutrals, 1995-present
International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR) Roster of Distinguished Neutrals, 2014-present
Dalkon Shield Arbitration Program: Member of the Panel of Arbitrators, 1992-2003
Assn. for Conflict Resolution (formerly Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution): Member, 1992-present
Travis County Bar Association: ADR Section: Founding Co-chair, 1992-1993; Member since 1992 ; ADR and Settlement Week Committees: Member, 1988-1992; Board of Directors: Member, 1979-1982
Austin Young Lawyers Association: President, 1979-1980; Board of Directors, 1975-1981; Life Fellow
Judicial Section: Member, 1982-1992
Texas Bar Foundation: Life Fellow  
Austin Lawyers Care: Charter Member of the Board of Directors, 1981-1987

ACCREDITATIONS:
Licensed to practice law in Texas: since 1973
Admitted to practice law in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas: since 1975
Member of the College of the State Bar of Texas: since 1988
Texas Mediator Credentialing Association Credentialed Distinguished Mediator: since 2004
Board Certified, Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization: 1978-1983
Board Certified, Family Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization: 1979-1984

TEACHING AND SPEAKING:
University of Texas School of Law: Adjunct Faculty teaching Negotiation and Mediation, since 2012
University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland: faculty in Executive Masters of International and European Business Law Program, 2002-2011;
University of Texas School of Law, State Bar of Texas, Association of Attorney-Mediators, Texas Association of Mediators, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, Travis County Bar Association: Speaker, judge in mock trial, trial advocacy, mediation, arbitration, negotiation
Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution: Facilitator

COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Texas Department of Criminal Justice: Victim Offender Mediation Dialogue Mediator, 1996-2002
Dispute Resolution Center of Travis County: Volunteer Mediator since 1992
American Youth Works (formerly American Institute for Learning): Emeritus Board, since 1994
Chairman, Board of Directors, 1989-1991; Board of Directors, 1989-1994
Austin Child Guidance Center: Emeritus Board since 1984
President, Board of Directors, 1981-1983; Board of Directors, 1979-1984
             
AWARDS:
Named The Lawyer of the Year: Texas in Mediation for 2023 by Best Lawyers® in Texas.
Outstanding Credentialed Mediator, 2019: Texas Mediator Credentialing Association.
Best Lawyers in Texas in ADR (mediation), 2022, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015, by Best Lawyers® in Texas.
One of four "Top-Notch" lawyers in Texas; and one of five finalists for the “Go-To” lawyer in Texas for arbitration and mediation by Texas Lawyer Magazine.
"Texas Super Lawyer" in ADR, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 by Thomson Reuters as published in Texas Monthly Magazine
Justice Frank G. Evans Award, 2006, State Bar of Texas ADR Section
Susanne C. Adams Award, 2003   Texas Association of Mediators
Outstanding Young Lawyer of Travis County, 1982   Austin Young Lawyers Association