L. Craig Nierman

Craig Nierman helps attorneys and their clients win through mediation and arbitration without bias or “number carrying.”

Experience

An “AV” rated, 25-year litigation veteran, Craig has substantial experience on both sides of the “v” through jury and bench trials, injunctive relief, arbitrations, and appeals. Clients have included:

Individuals, businesses, and carriers in insurance cases including first party (e.g., health, property, life, “no fault,” etc.), third party (e.g., wrongful death, professional negligence, property, injury, etc.), extracontractual damages, agent/broker errors and omissions, and subrogation claims.
Businesses, non-profits, people, and government agencies in a variety of commercial tort, contract, employment, banking, debt, corporate governance, and acquisition matters, as well as real estate development, sale, and leasing issues; and
Patients, insurers, public and private hospitals, and other providers in healthcare cases such as professional and products liability claims, reimbursement and revenue cycle issues (e.g., payer contracting as well as questions of experimental treatment and medical necessity), primary and secondary payor conflicts, and HIPAA compliance.

Mediation

Craig walks in understanding the case’s unique contours and applying them to his decades of trial experience.

He is not a “number carrier” or bully. Instead, he knows the verdicts and law, gives frank feedback, and lets the parties evaluate their risks.

Craig’s credibility, established through helping both plaintiffs and defendants, enables him to connect in all rooms. Clients feel heard as he listens to their story and perspective. He persists—for months if necessary—to get the deal done.

Arbitration

Arbitration should be faster, less expensive, and at least as fair as trial. However, too often, it turns out to be a drawn-out process involving escalating arbitrator fees and murky awards.

Craig’s focus is on remembering that he works for the parties (not the other way around).

His cross-party expertise in insurance, business, torts, and healthcare law enables him to fairly identify the salient issues. His decisions are well-reasoned and based solely on the evidence and law.

Recommendations

What people are saying:

Mr. Nierman does an extraordinary job…Based off of my experience with working with Mr. Nierman during these mediations, he is right up there with the best of the best.
– J.D., Illinois Attorney

He does not quit. One of the best I have ever worked with.
– M.M., Iowa Litigant

Craig went above and beyond to shepherd the parties to a resolution and early settlement in this case. When the parties stalled out several hours into the scheduled mediation, he did not give up and continued to mediate between the parties separately until we got it done.
– J.G., Florida Attorney

Thought Leadership

Craig has published multiple articles on psychological aspects of mediation as well as insurance arbitration (the American Bar Association recently published his papers on applying empirical research to negotiations and how virtual mediation poses unique challenges for trust formation). The business law textbook he co-authored is in its third edition.

Personal

Craig married his high school sweetheart; they have two adult children and a grandchild. He values time with his family and friends, learning new things, and adventuring, especially kayaking.