John Dewey Watson

John Dewey Watson

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 55 years

Mediation Lawyer at Little Rock, AR
Practice Areas: Mediation, Construction & Development, Arbitration

1501 North University Avenue, Suite 630, Little Rock, AR

About John

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Mediation 65%

I was trained as a mediator in the early 1990s and have served as mediator on more than 200 cases. I teach mediation skills at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

36 years | 200 cases

65%
Construction and Development 20%

As attorney, handled construction cases for contractors, owners, architects, engineers, and suppliers in litigation, arbitration, and court. Also have heard hundreds of cases as hearing officer for the Licensing Board.

51 years | 800 cases

20%
Arbitration 15%

As attorney, handled cases as counsel for claimants and respondents. As a single arbitrator or a panel member, have heard more than 100 cases in arbitration, including multi-million dollar construction claims.

36 years | 214 cases

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 300-300 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Arkansas for 55 years

State: Arkansas

Acquired: 1970

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Texas for 26 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1999

MCLE Non-Practicing

No misconduct found

Location

John Dewey Watson, P.A.

1501 North University Avenue, Suite 630, Little Rock, AR, 72207

John Dewey Watson, P.A.

23 Iviers Dr, Little Rock, AR, 72223-9143

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John Dewey Watson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

1 Client Review

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Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Richard | October 27, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Mediation

Very Satisfied with Mr. Watson's performance.

Mr. Watson is a highly regarded attorney who practices mediation and arbitration for construction-related cases. He is thorough, fair and exceptionally adept regarding soliciting honest communication from all parties during mediation and arbitration cases. In my case, Mr. Watson was able to cut ...through the noise, identify why my client felt he had been wronged, and get to the very heart of the issue which wasn't actually any of the "claims" my client had raised. He communicated effectively between the attorneys and principals, and helped us gain clarity over how to possibly settle our differences. With Alternative Dispute Resolution fast becoming a preferred avenue in which to settle issues that arise under construction contracts, I highly recommend Mr. Watson in your mediation or arbitration.

See All Client Reviews

John Dewey Watson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Gregory L. Crow headshot
Gregory Crow

Arbitration lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dewey Watson is one of the best lawyers in Arkansas for many many areas, including Arbitration, Construction and Mediation. Very ethical and professional."

View All Endorsements

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Litigation-Construction, Arbitration, Mediation, Best Lawyers in America

2015

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Sidney S. McMath Award, Pulaski County Bar Association

2007

President's Award, Pulaski County Bar Association

2006

Continuing Legal Education Award, Arkansas Bar Association

2005

President's Award, Arkansas Bar Association

1966

Bronze Star with Combat "V", United States Marine Corps

Work Experience

2012 - Present

Adjunct Professor, University Of Arkansas School Of Law, Fayetteville

2010 - Present

President, John Dewey Watson, P.A.

1990 - Present

Hearing Officer, Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board

1971 - 2010

Partner, Friday, Eldredge, & Clark, LLP

1970 - 1971

Law Clerk, Arkansas Supreme Court

1969 - 1970

On-Camera Weatherman, KGTO TV

1963 - 1967

Infantry Officer, United States Marine Corps

1959 - 1963

Disk Jockey, KVRC Radio

Associations

2012 - Present

Pulaski County Bar Foundation

Member

2010 - Present

Association of Attorney-Mediators

Member

2010 - Present

National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals

Member

2008 - Present

American Inns of Court

Group Leader; Emeritus Member

2000 - Present

Association for Conflict Resolution

Member

1995 - Present

Arkansas Bar Foundation

Member

1970 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1970 - Present

Arkansas Bar Association

Chari Construction Law Section; Chair ADR Section

1970 - Present

Pulaski County Bar Association

Member

Metropolitan YMCA Foundation

President

Sample of Legal Cases

Brown v. National Health Care, 102 Ark.App. 148, 283 S.W.3d 224

Affirmed in part, reversed in part

Hubbard v. National Healthcare, 371 Ark. 444, 267 S.W.3d 573

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Nabholz Construction Corp. v. Contractors for Public Protection Association, 371 Ark. 411, 266 S.W.3d 689

Arkansas Supreme Court revesed on appeal

Morris v. Union Pacific Railroad, 373 F.3d 896

Reversed and remanded by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Jackson v. Ivory, 353 Ark. 847, 120 S.W.3d 587

Reversed and remanded by Arkansas Supreme Couort

Williams v. City of Fayetteville, 348 Ark. 768, 76 S.W.3d 235

Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed dismissal

Union Pacific Railroad v. 174 Acres, 193 F.3d 944

Affirmed on appeal by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Pittman v. Frazer, 129 F.3d 983

Affirmed on appeal by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

25 Residents of Sevier County v. Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, 330 Ark. 396, 954 S.W.2d 242

Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed dismissal

Van Dyke v. Glover, 326 Ark. 736, 934 S.W.2d 204

Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded

Doe v. Union Pacific Railroad, 323 Ark. 237, 914 S.W.2d 312

Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed appeal

Freeman v. Bechtel Corporation, 87 F.3d 1029

Affirmed on appeal by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Cawood v. Smith, 310 Ark. 619, 839 S.W.2d 208

Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed

Union Pacific Railroad v. Mullen, 966 F.2d 348

Affirmed by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Robertson v. Union Pacific Railroad, 954 F.2d 1433

Affirmed by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Internat'l v. T.L. James, 907 F.2d 65

Affirmed by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Smith v. American Trucking Association, 300 Ark. 594, 781 S.W.2d 3

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Schueck Steel v. McCarthy Brothers, 289 Ark. 436, 711 S.W.2d 820

Arkansas Supreme Court Affirmed

City of Hot Springs v. Creviston, 288 Ark. 286, 705 S.W.2d 415

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

APAC-Mississippi v. Deep South Construction

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Merrill Lynch v. First National Bank, 774 F.2d 909

Affirmed by 8th Circuit Court of Appeals

Carter v. St. Vincent Infirmary, 15 Ark.App. 169, 690 S.W.2d 741

Reversed and remanded by Arkansas Court of Appeals, but jury ruled in favor of Appellee in second trial

Cory v. Mark Twain Life Ins., 286 Ark. 20, 688 S.W.2d 934

Arkansas Supreme Court found that case should not have been dismissed with prejudice

Mark Twain Life v. Cory, 283 Ark. 55, 670 S.W.2d 934

Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded

Simpson v. Fuller, 281 Ark. 471, 665 S.W.2d 269

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Fletcher v. Duke, 5 Ark.App. 223, 635 S.W.2d 269

Affirmed by Arkansas Court of Appeals

Millsaps v. Rinehart, 276 Ark. 147, 634 S.W.2d 98

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Odom v. First National Bank, 5 Ark.App. 35, 631 S.W.2d 846

Appeal dismissed by Arkansas Court of Appeals as not a final judgment

Atkins Pickle Co. v. Burrough-Uerling-Brasuell, 275 Ark. 135, 628 S.W.2d 9

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Arkansas National Life Ins. v. Durbin, 3 Ark.App. 170, 623 S.W.2d 548

Reversed and remanded by Arkansas Court of Appeals

Atkins Pickle Co. v. Burrough-Uerling-Brasuell Consulting Engineers, 271 Ark. 897, 611 S.W.2d 775

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Jones v. Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, 270 Ark. 988, 607 S.W.2d 334

Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case

Powell v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 268 Ark. 1093, 598 S.W.2d 449

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Lile v. Matthews, 268 Ark. 980, 598 S.W.2d 755

Arkansas Supreme affirmed on conditution of remittitur or case would be reversed and remanded

Phillips v. Ben Hogan Co., 267 Ark. 1104, 594 S.W.2d 39

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Johnson v. Safeco Ins. Co., 265 Ark. 9, 576 S.W.2d 220

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Page v. Scott, 263 Ark. 684, 567 S.W.2d 101

Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded the case for entry of judgment in the full amount of $8,050

Commercial Union ins. v. Henshall, 262 Ark. 117, 553 S.W.2d 274

Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed duty to defend and remanded on liability which later resulted in a finding for client on liability

Bartlett v. Argonaut Ins. Co., 258 Ark. 221, 523 S.W.2d 274

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Brown v. Wood, 257 Ark. 252, 516 S.W.2d 98

Arkansas Supreme Court denied writ

Rickett v. Hayes, 256 Ark. 893, 511 S.W.2d 187

Affirmed by Arkansas Supreme Court

Hayes v. Rickett, 254 Ark. 179, 492 S.W.2d 419

Arkansas Supreme Court denied writ

Missouri Pacific Railroad v. Orsburn, 252 Ark. 872, 481 S.W.2d 356

Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed

Dollins v. Hartford Ins., 252 Ark. 13, 477 S.W.2d 179

Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed

Rickett v. Hayes, 251 Ark.395, 473 S.W.2d 446

Arkansas Supreme Court reversed and remanded case. Case was tried a second time, and the jury rendered a verdict again for defendant Hayes

See More Legal Cases

Education

1970

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Leflar Law Center

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)

1963

Ouachita Baptist University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Arkansas ADR Commission CME

Agreements in Mediation

2014

Construction Industry Conference

Construction Damages

2014

Arkansas Building & Construction Conference

Arbitration & Mediation Issues

2013

Association of Attorney-Mediators Annual Meeting

Mediation Ethics

2012

Construction Industry Conference

Construction Licensing Update

2012

Construction Industry Conference

Negotiation Ethics

2012

Best of CLE

Ethics In Negotiation

2012

Arkansas Building & Construction Trades Conferencde

Licensing

2011

Construction Industry Conference

Construction Law Ethics

2011

Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Convention

How To Effectively Present Your Case To An Arbitrator

2011

American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry

Termination

2011

ADR Section CME/CLE

Negotiation Ethics

2008

Best of CLE

Ethics

2008

Annual CLE

Expert Witnesses

2008

ADR Conference

Ethics

2007

Construction Industry Conference

Ethics

2007

Annual Conference

Drafting Agreements That Work

2006

Fall Legal Institute

Ethics

2006

Construction Industry Conference

Ethics

2005

Seminar

How To Resolve Disputes Peacefully

2005

Obesity Conference

Obesity

2004

Seminar

Arbitration Advocacy

2003

Seminar

Mediation Advocacy

2000

Annual Meeting

Arbitration for Construction Contractors

Publications

2013

Wolters Kluwer Law & Business in New York State-By-State Guide To Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing

2007

Aspatore, Inc. Construction Law Settlements and Negotiations

2006

Aspen Publishers, Inc. State-By-State Guide to Construction Contracts and Claims

2000

The AGC Advantage What Is ADR? Mediation? Arbitration?

1999

Aspen Law & Business State-by-State Guide to Architect, Engineer and Contractor Licensing

1998

ABA Forum on the Construction Industry Fifty State Monograph on the Enforceability of "No Damages for Deloay Clauses"

Languages

English

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