Biography
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 her own national mediation, arbitration and case consulting firm, Capital City Mediations, LLC, 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 and diversity and inclusion. She is a frequent contributor to the CLM Magazine (Claims Litigation Alliance), American Bar Association (ABA) and National Bar Association (NBA) publications. Ms. Ratliff is the 2nd Vice Chair of the ADR Section of the NBA and the Diversity Committee Co-chair of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section. 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 was recently appointed as an Adjunct Professor at Howard University School of Law to create insurance-related alternative dispute resolution curriculum. Additionally, she speaks Spanish fluently and operates internationally.
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- Extensive subject matter expertise in personal injury/wrongful death, medical malpractice, auto/trucking liability, commercial premises liability, products liability, nursing home liability, construction liability, municipal liability and coverage.
- Neutral analysis of tort claims to aid with the 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 and Emory University
- Faculty Member, ABA Advanced Mediation & Advocacy Skills Institute
Panels
- NBA Certified Mediator and Arbitrator Panels
- FINRA (Wing) Arbitrator on panels in financial regulatory matters
- International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR) Panels of Distinguished Neutrals (Mediation and Arbitration)
Representative Matters
Insurance
- Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
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- Mediated and facilitated settlements on various types of bodily injury cases involving fatality damages (allegedly) arising from negligence
- Medical Malpractice
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- 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
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- 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, restaurants, department stores, superstores 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, restaurants, department stores, superstores and variety-type commercial properties dealing with landlord/tenant issues.
- Products Liability
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- 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
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- Mediated numerous cases involving elder care neglect and bill of rights violations
- Auto/Trucking Liability
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- Mediated numerous cases involving personal auto and trucking motor vehicle accidents with severe damages of multiple passengers
- Homeowner Liability
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- Mediated cases involving neighbor dispute dealing with trespass, incidents on and off property and issues arising out of pet ownership
- Municipal Liability
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- 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
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- 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
Employment
- 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
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
Higher Education & Title IX
- Mediated a Title IX case involving alleged repeated sexual assault of student while overseas participating in a study abroad program
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
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
Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS.
Speaker on a variety of ADR topics before legal and insurance professional organizations and law schools
- Presenter, “Implicit Bias in ADR: Principles and Practical Guidance,” Mediation Committee, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), March 2022
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Guest Lecturer, “Mediation 101,” Howard University School of Communications, 2022
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Panelist, “Diversity In the Legal Profession,” American Bar Association (ABA) Insurance Coverage Litigation Conference (ICLC), 2022
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Producer, Seminar, “The Price Is Right ADR Game Show,” Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), 2022
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Panelist, “Mock Mediations,” Claims Conference, Property & Liability Resource Bureau (PLRB), 2022
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Panelist, “Overcoming Common Assumptions and Biases That Impact Insurance Negotiations,” ABA Dispute Resolution (DR) Section Spring Conference, 2022
- Presenter, “From Claims to Conciliation: The Effects of Unconscious Bias on Negotiation,” Early Dispute Resolution Committee, ABA DR Section, 2021
- Producer, “Ethics of Mediation/Arbitration,” National Bar Association (NBA) ADR Section Convention, 2021
- Panelist, “Masters of Mediation,” NBA Annual Convention Presidential Showcase, 2021
- Panelist, “A Dash of Diversity,” National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) New York Conference, 2021
- Panelist, “Sex Trafficking Liability,” ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, 2021
- Panelist, “ADR Career Path,” Leadership Institute Women of Color Attorneys (LIWOCA), 2021
- Panelist, “Tips for Embracing Diversity When Selecting Neutrals for Labor and Employment Disputes,” Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) 2021
- Moderator, “Constructive Community Conversations Part 2,” ABA, 2021
- Panelist, Business Law Section Virtual Spring Meeting, ABA, 2021
- Moderator, “Baked-In Bias: Mediation Matters Roundtable,” ABA, 2021
- Virtual Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar, ABA, 2021
- Presenter, “Diversity in Mediation: The 360 View,” CLM, 2021
- Guest Co-Lecturer with Attorney Milton Grimes, “The Use and Effectiveness of Psychology and Psychodrama,” 2021
- Panelist, “DE&I in ADR: From Contact to Contract,” Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) North America Branch, 2021
- Panelist, “Women In Leadership,” Willis Towers Watson, 2021
- Panelist, “Mediation as a Career Path,” LIWOCA 15th Annual Conference, 2021
- Panelist, “Alternative Dispute Resolution and the Bahamas: Charting A New Course,” Bahamas Minister of Financial Services Symposium, 2021
- Co-Producer, ABA Constructive Community Conversations Forum, 2020
- Panelist, “Off and On The Record: Protected Communications in Mediation,” CLM Alliance Focus NY Conference, 2020
- Moderator, “Systemic Racism in the Insurance Industry, CLM Town Hall, 2020
- Speaker, “Are You Ready For The Boardroom?”, California Department of Insurance Conference, 2020
- Speaker, “Virtual Mediations In A Post-COVID World”, Galloway Law Firm Claims and Litigation Conference, 2020
- Panelist, “Insurance Matters During COVID”, NBA Wiley Branton Virtual Symposium, 2020
- Moderator, “Resolution 105 Roundtable”, ABA Mediation Week, 2020
- Panelist, “Virtual Trials and Tribulations”, GA CLE Webinar, 2020
- Speaker, “Activating Allyship”, Zurich North America Looking to the Future Series, 2020
- Moderator, “Stand Up To Dive In”, Dive In Global DE&I Festival, Atlanta Conference, 2020
- Panelist, ABA Dispute Resolution Section Law Students “Pivot” Forum, 2020
- Faculty, CLM Claims College, School of Claims Mediation, 2020
- Faculty, “Triple Threat”, Risk Management Society (RIMS) Broward Webinar, 2020
- Producer, The Future of Insurance Symposium, Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals, 2020
- Moderator, “The Use and Effectiveness of Psychodrama”, NBA Small Firms “Sharpen Your Ax” Series with Milton Grimes, Esq., 2020
- Moderator, “Racial Injustice in the US and UK”, Worlds Apart Webinar, ACIN London, UK, 2020
- Guest Lecturer, Negotiation 360, Emory University School of Law, 2020
- Faculty, “Women In The Game - The Juggle and the Struggle”, NBA Small Firms and Solos Conference Jamaica, 2020
- Panelist, Insurance Day, Howard University School of Business, 2020
- Keynote Speaker, “The Next Generation”, Gamma Iota Sigma Insurance Fraternity Regional Conference Keynote, 2020
- Panelist, “Mask Off”, ABA Webinar Series, 2020
- Panelist, “Business Case for Diversity in ADR”, CLM Focus Conference, 2020
- Panelist, “Alternative Dispute Resolution and COVID-19 Insurance Disputes”, COVID Insurance Litigation Virtual Summit, 2020
- Panelist, “Make It Rain” Marketing ADR Practice Webinar, NBA ADR Section, NBA Convention, 2020
- Moderator, “View From The Bench”, NBA Master Class with Hon. M. Gino Brogdon, Sr., NBA Convention, 2020
- Panelist, “Streamlining The Cost of Conflict Through Arbitration”, NBA Presidential Showcase Panama City, Panama 2019
- Moderator, “The Importance of Education and Development”, NAAIA/ National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (NAIFA) Industry Panel, 2019
- Keynote Speaker, “Moving the Needle Forward in D&I”, NAAIA Florida Legislative Summit Breakfast, 2019
- Moderator, “Moving Beyond Unconscious Bias”, Insurance Business America Atlanta Conference, 2019
- Panelist, “Litigate or Mediate”, Atlanta Claims Association, 2019
- Faculty, AAA/NBA Mediation Training, NBA Annual Convention, 2019
- Faculty, Civil Trial Advocacy Boot Camp, NBA, 2019
- Guest Lecturer, “Preparing a Case For Pretrial Settlement”, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 2019
- Facilitator/Panelist, “How To Recruit Allies in D&I”, Diversity & Inclusion Institute Leadership Conference, 2019
- Faculty, “The Art of Negotiating”, National Academy for Small Firms and Solos Boot Camp, 2019
- Moderator, “Next Generation Leadership”, Insurance Business America San Francisco Conference, 2019
- Faculty, “Techniques In Resolving Commercial Disputes”, Advance Track Training, Southern California Mediation Association, 2019
- Guest Lecturer, “Case Evaluation and Negotiating”, Howard University School of Law, 2018
- Faculty, “Negotiating In The Caucus Phase”, Advance Mediation Skills Institute, ABA, 2018
Memberships & Affiliations
- President, National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA Atlanta), 2017-Present
- 2nd Vice Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, National Bar Association, 2019
- Co-Chair Diversity Committee, Dispute Resolution Section, American Bar Association, 2018-Present
- Member, Claims Litigation Management Alliance (CLM Alliance), 2010-Present
- Member, Gate City Bar Association, 2016-Present
- Member, Atlanta Bar Association, 2016-Present
- Member, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, 2016-Present
- Member, North Carolina Central University School of Business Board of Visitors, 2020
- Member, Georgia State University Risk Management Foundation, Founding Advisory Board, 2019-Present
- Member, Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, 2016-Present
- Member, ArbitralWomen, 2020
- Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, 1986-Present
- Atlanta Chartering Chair, International Career and Business Alliance (ICABA), 2019-Present
- Founding Advisor, African Caribbean Insurance Network (ACIN), London, UK, 2019-Present
- Advisor, Insurance Business America (IBA), Women In Insurance Global Network, 2020
Selected Awards and Honors
- Elite Women, Insurance Business America, 2022
- HOT 100, Insurance Business America, 2021, 2022
- Women to Watch, Business Insurance, 2021
- Dive In Global Festival, Service Award 2020
- NAAIA Service Award 2020
- Service Award, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 2019
- NBA Outstanding Service Award 2018
- 7th U.S. District (IL) Congressional (Mediator of the Year), Light of Life Award 2018
- Atlanta Association of Insurance Professionals Pioneer Award 2018
- NBA Outstanding Service Award 2017
- Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award 2016
- Presidents Volunteer Service Award (Obama Administration) 2016
Selected Publications (Articles)
- “Top 10 Dos and Don’ts of Virtual Mediation,” ALM Daily Report, April 2021
- “The Altered Landscape of Mediation,” CLM Magazine, January 2021
- “Physician Heal Thyself,” American Bar Association, Law Practice Today, September 2020
- “Inclusion Speaks Louder Than Words,” National Bar Association, Resolution Newsletter, May 2020 (repurposed from ABA publication)
- “Inclusion Speaks Louder Than Words,” American Bar Association, Just Resolutions Newsletter, February 2020
- “The 5 Ps of Mediation,” American Bar Association, October 2018
- “Streamlining and Reducing the Cost of Conflict Through Arbitration,” National Bar Association, Resolution Newsletter, May 2019
- Adjunct Professor, Howard University School of Law, 2022
- Capital City Mediations, LLC, Founder, 2016-Present
- Certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBENC and WOSB)
- Certified Minority Business Enterprise (NMSDC, Georgia)
- Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service, Atlanta, GA, Independent Contractor, 2020-2021
- CHUBB Insurance Company, Claims Officer, 2006-2016
- CNA Insurance Company, (Home Office) Global Liability Claims Consultant, 2006
- TIG Insurance, Claims Specialist, 2002-2006
- Interstate Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (ALLIANZ), General Adjuster, 1995-2002
- Coregis Insurance, Sr. Claims Technician, 1994-1995
- CNA Insurance, Sr. Claims Representative, 1991-1994
Education
- Mediation and Arbitration Advanced Training, AAA and FMCS, NBA Convention 2018 and 2019
- Domestic Mediation Training, Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services, Atlanta 2016
- Civil Mediation Training and Arbitration Training, Henning Mediation & Arbitration Services, Atlanta 2015
- B.A., Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988
Counsel Comments
- “Rebekah is one of the finest people I have ever met and an excellent mediator. I had the opportunity to work with her [in her previous role] as a global adjuster on numerous occasions and observe her excellent legal analysis in handling a variety of complex commercial and international cases, strong analytical ability, tireless work ethic, resourcefulness, organizational skills, confidence, and engaging disposition. Rebekah has seamlessly transferred these qualities to her mediation practice. Rebekah has mediated several difficult cases for me and we were able to resolve all of them to the satisfaction of myself and the client. In handling mediation cases, Rebekah is poised, she thinks quickly on her feet, she pays attention to detail, and she treats others with respect. She is willing to make the personal investment required to learn your case, provide insightful suggestions or strategies to encourage dialogue amongst the parties, and work to resolve cases.”
- “On behalf of all of us, I express our deep thanks for your presentation on implicit bias in ADR at today’s mediation committee meeting. Your presentation on this important topic was excellent and thought provoking, your insights and practical advice were much appreciated, and the audience was engaged. I hope we will continue to find ways to work together.”
- “We really were impressed with Rebekah during our mediation and thought she did a fantastic job.”
- “Rebekah is a professional with the expertise to evaluate and resolve complex matters. I have known Rebekah for more than 20 years. In that time, I have found her to have the personal and professional integrity essential to building and sustaining relationships. Rebekah has the unique talent to skillfully guide mediation clients to resolution, beneficial to all sides.”
- “Rebekah Ratliff is an honest intellectual. Her clients trust her because of her integrity. Rebekah Ratliff is blessed with excellent listening skills and brings professional patience that can lower stress levels in complex disputes. You will find her to exercise sound judgment in mediation matters that deserve settlement, as opposed to the cost often associated with the wasteful processes of litigation.”
- “Rebekah has a unique agility to navigate between starch shirts and blue collars. Her humility joins with a keen discernment of people and their agendas to form a very effective work product. Rebekah is also a shrewd legal negotiator. She knows the mediation process to dwarf many and understands the human condition in these circumstances, which surpasses the performance of most of her peers.”
- “Rebekah works well and effortlessly with persons from different backgrounds. She is a patient listener and her purposeful leadership style makes her an excellent choice as a mediator.”
- “Rebekah Ratliff is a dynamic professional, well seasoned and a value add to ADR processes as a neutral or party representative.”
--Litigation Partner
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