Rebekah Ratliff is a credentialed former commercial complex insurance claims professional with more than 25 years of experience in evaluating, negotiating and settling complex casualty claims loss matters, nationwide and internationally with settlements totaling in the millions. Having evaluated thousands of cases, Rebekah is masterful in navigating the negotiation process and understands the human condition, a key skill to enabling trust in the ADR process.
As a civil and domestic mediator and arbitrator, Ms. Ratliff has become a trusted dispute resolution professional in high stakes cases and sensitive matters involving high-profile individuals. Ms. Ratliff believes that people do not really want to be in dispute and finds fulfillment in facilitating compromises via neutral analysis to assist in moving cases to settlement or through the alternative dispute resolution process. Prior to joining JAMS, Rebekah founded Capital City Mediations, LLC, an award winning national mediation, arbitration and case consulting firm based in the Atlanta, GA area.
Ms. Ratliff has been recognized nationally for her work in the alternative dispute resolution field and is a sought-after presenter and lecturer on alternative dispute resolution, case evaluation, negotiation strategies, liability exposures in matters arising from issues related to ESG (environmental, social and governance), and DEI. She is a frequent contributor to - American Bar Association (ABA) and National Bar Association (NBA) publications. Ms. Ratliff is the 1st Vice Chair of the ADR Section of the NBA and serves on the ABA Dispute Resolution Section Council, honored with the section’s 2023 inaugural Ladder Award. Her extensive insurance background expertise includes, but is not limited to, personal injury/wrongful death, medical malpractice, auto/trucking liability, commercial premises liability, products liability, nursing home liability, construction liability and municipal liability. Ms. Ratliff has deep academic experience as a commercial insurance claims professional. She is an Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of Law, teaching insurance-related alternative dispute resolution curriculum that she designed. Ms. Ratliff speaks Spanish fluently and operates internationally.
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- Extensive subject matter experience as a former commercial claims professional evaluating and resolving personal injury/wrongful death, medical malpractice, auto/trucking liability, commercial premises liability, products liability, nursing home liability, construction liability, municipal liability and coverage matters.
- Neutral Analyst of tort claims to aid with early case resolution
- Faculty Member, Southern California Mediation Association Advanced Track Training
- Faculty Member, National Bar Association ADR Continuing Education
- Law School Guest Lecturer at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Howard University, North Carolina Central University and Emory University
- Faculty Member, ABA Advanced Mediation & Advocacy Skills Institute
- Faculty Member, Howard University School of Law
Panels
- Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals (ACAN)
- International Mediation Institute (IMI) Certified Mediator
- Sports Resolutions - International Panelist
- NBA Certified Panels of Neutrals - Mediator and Arbitrator
- FINRA Public Arbitrator on panels in financial regulatory matters
- International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR) Panels of Distinguished Neutrals - Commercial Mediation and Arbitration
Representative Matters
- Civil Rights
- Mediated a public entity matter regarding an alleged 4th amendment civil rights violation related to the illegal search and seizure of a minor while at school
- Employment Law
- Mediated matters involving Title VII claims
- Mediated employment discrimination matters involving large franchise corporations, with allegations of sexual harassment
- Mediated employment discrimination matters involving large franchise corporations with allegations of racial discrimination
- Experience with cases involving disputes alleging discrimination, harassment and Human Resources policy violations; special competencies in navigating sensitive matters
- Higher Education & Title IX
- Mediated a Title IX case involving alleged repeated sexual assault of student while overseas participating in a study abroad program
- Insurance
- Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
- Mediated and facilitated settlements on various types of bodily injury cases involving fatality damages (allegedly) arising from negligence
- Medical Malpractice
- Mediated medical malpractice cases involving alleged deviation from the standard care due to failure to treat, failure to diagnose, failure to warn of risks and/or improper treatment
- Mediated cases alleging psychiatrist ethical boundary violations
- Mediated dental malpractice cases alleging prescription errors, overuse of anesthesia, deviation from the standard of care and failure to render treatment
- Mediated optometry cases alleging failure to diagnose in glaucoma and vision correction surgery cases
- Commercial Premises Liability
- Mediated premises cases involving slip/trip and falls, rape, shootings, assault, elevator malfunction and various other incidents alleging negligent maintenance, negligent security and other (tort allegation) matters at (*apartment complexes, strip malls, night clubs, restaurants, department stores, superstores, hotels and variety-type commercial properties dealing with landlord/tenant issues.)
*Examples: bug/pest infestation, negligent security, security lights/gate disrepair, assault, shootings, stabbings
- Mediated premises cases involving slip/trip and falls, rape, shootings, assault, elevator malfunction and various other incidents alleging negligent maintenance, negligent security and other (tort allegation) matters at (*apartment complexes, strip malls, night clubs, restaurants, department stores, superstores, hotels and variety-type commercial properties dealing with landlord/tenant issues.)
- Products Liability
- Mediated cases involving products and components alleged not to be market worthy that caused severe injuries to the end user. Some examples include lye-based drain cleaner, ladders, skin care products, various industrial and auto industry component parts (air bags, brakes, gas line defects)
- Nursing Home/Assisted Living Liability
- Mediated numerous cases involving elder care neglect and bill of rights violations
- Auto/Trucking Liability
- Mediated numerous cases involving personal auto and trucking motor vehicle accidents with severe damages of multiple passengers
- Homeowner Liability
- Mediated cases involving neighbor dispute dealing with trespass, incidents on and off property and issues arising out of pet ownership
- Municipal Liability
- Mediated cases involving charter school boards alleging mistreatment and/or deprivation of learning of children by teachers
- Mediated cases involving municipalities dealing with disputes alleging police officer negligent acts against detainees while in custody. Facilitated resolutions dealing with self-insured retentions and governmental statutory caps
- Contracts
- Mediated contract dispute in a highly contested and newsworthy case with a pending judgment and writ of body attachment, to assist with compromise
- Mediated Homeowners Association dispute about covenant violations between HOA and Homeowner
- Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
- Neutral Analysis
- Perform liability and damages case assessment on matters ripe for settlement to assist in exploring strengths, weaknesses and settlement posture to save time and overhead costs
- Facilitate coverage reviews for occurrence-based and claims-made policy contracts
- Securities
- FINRA - Wing Arbitrator on panels to serve in adjudicating financial services industry disputes for the financial regulatory authority in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS.
Selected Speaking Engagements
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Speaker, “Optimizing Diversity to Improve Outcomes in Risky Venues “, NAMWOLF Diversity Conference, March 2024
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Speaker, “Exploring Different Roles During the Mediation Process”, ACR-GNY and CUNY February 2024
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Speaker, “People as a Risk, From a Cultural Lens”, Future of Insurance USA 2023 Conference, Reuters Events, June 2023
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Panelist, “The Caste System in Insurance and ADR: Breaking the Color Code”, ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee (ICLC), March 2023
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Presenter, “Implicit Bias in ADR: Principles and Practical Guidance,” Mediation Committee, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), March 2022
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Producer, Seminar, “The Price Is Right ADR Game Show,” Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), March 2022
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Panelist, “Sex Trafficking Liability,” ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee (ICLC), March 2021
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Panelist, “Tips for Embracing Diversity When Selecting Neutrals for Labor and Employment Disputes,” Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA), June 2021
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Guest Co-Lecturer with Attorney Milton Grimes, “The Use and Effectiveness of Psychology and Psychodrama,” March 2021
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Panelist, “DE&I in ADR: From Contact to Contract,” Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) North America Branch, February 2021
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Panelist, “Alternative Dispute Resolution and the Bahamas: Charting A New Course,” Bahamas Minister of Financial Services Symposium, January 2021
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Panelist, “Off and On The Record: Protected Communications in Mediation,” CLM Alliance Focus NY Conference, December 2020
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Speaker, “Are You Ready For The Boardroom?”, California Department of Insurance Conference, November 2020
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Speaker, “Activating Allyship”, Zurich North America Looking to the Future Series, October 2020
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Moderator, “Racial Injustice in the US and UK”, Worlds Apart Webinar, ACIN London, UK, July 2020
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Moderator, “View From The Bench”, NBA Master Class with Hon. M. Gino Brogdon, Sr., NBA Convention, July 2020
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Panelist, “Streamlining The Cost of Conflict Through Arbitration”, NBA Presidential Showcase Panama City, Panama, January 2019
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Faculty, “Techniques In Resolving Commercial Disputes”, Advance Track Training, Southern California Mediation Association, November 2019
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Faculty, “Negotiating In The Caucus Phase”, Advance Mediation Skills Institute, ABA, October 2018
Memberships & Affiliations
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Member, American Bar Association
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Litigation Section, 2020-2024
- Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), 2020-2024
- Dispute Resolution Section, 2020-2024
- Council Member, 2023-2024
- Vice Chair, Diversity Committee, 2022-2023
- Co-Chair, Diversity Committee, 2018-2022
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- Member, National Bar Association
- Insurance Section
- Labor & Employment Section
- Commercial Law Section
- Corporate Law Section
- Small Firms & Solo Practitioners Division
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
- 1st Vice Chair, 2023-2024
- 2nd Vice Chair, 2020-2023
- Member, National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA)
- Secretary and International Relationships Liaison, 2023-2024
- President, Atlanta Chapter, 2017-2023
- ABA Dispute resolution section council 2023-2024
- Member, Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM Alliance), 2010-2023
- Member, Gate City Bar Association, 2016-2024
- Member, Atlanta Bar Association, 2016-2024
- Member, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, 2016-2024
- Member, North Carolina Central University School of Business Board of Visitors, 2020
- Member, Georgia State University Risk Management Foundation, Founding Advisory Board, 2019-2023
- Member, Arbitral Women, since 2020
- Advisor, Equity City (formerly ACIN), London, UK, 2019-2024
- Member, Insurance Supper Club, London, UK, 2019-2024
- Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, since 1986
Selected Awards and Honors
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Hotlist 2026, Insurance Business, 2025
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Top 20 Global Women of Excellence U.S. Congressional Medal, 2024
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Reuters Trailblazing Women in Insurance, 2024
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Alonzo Herndon Award, Business Insurance, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Institute, 2023
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ABA Dispute Resolution Section Committee on Oversight and Development Ladder Award, 2023
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Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals Legacy Award, 2022
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Elite Women, Insurance Business America, 2021, 2022
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HOT 100, Insurance Business America, 2020-2022, 2024
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Women to Watch, Business Insurance, 2021
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Dive In Global Festival, Service Award, 2020
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NAAIA Service Award, 2020
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Service Award, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 2019
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7th District (IL) U.S. Congressional (Mediator of the Year), “Light of Life” Award, 2018
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Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals Pioneer Award, 2018
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NBA Small Firms and Solos Outstanding Service Award, 2017, 2018
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Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award, 2016
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Presidents Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award (Obama), 2016
Background and Education
- Adjunct Professor, Howard University School of Law, 2022-2023, 2023-2024
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Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service, Atlanta, GA, Independent Contractor, 2020-2021Capital City Mediations, LLC, Founder, 2016
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NMSDC Certified Minority Business Enterprise
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CHUBB Insurance Company, Claims Officer, 2006-2016
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CNA Insurance Company, (Home Office) Global Liability Claims Consultant, 2006
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TIG Insurance, Claims Specialist, 2002-2006
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Interstate Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (ALLIANZ), General Adjuster, 1995-2002
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Coregis Insurance, Sr. Claims Technician, 1994-1995
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CNA Insurance, Sr. Claims Representative, 1991-1994
Education
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Mediation and Arbitration Advanced Training, JAMS, AAA and FMCS, CPR, NBA Convention 2018-2023
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FINRA Training 2019
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Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution Training 2018, 2019
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Domestic Mediation Training, Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services, Atlanta 2016
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Civil Mediation Training and Arbitration Training, Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services, Atlanta 2015, 2016
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B.A., Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988
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