Ben Jay Cunningham

A practicing attorney and mediator for more than three decades, Ben has successfully resolved  thousands of disputes in his capacity of mediator and settlement counsel. Ben's mediation experience is broad, encompassing disputes involving general commercial litigation, contruction, real estate, governmental, civil rights,  employment, torts, contract disputes,  intellectual property, First Amendment, personal injury, professional liability, med-mal, securities law, insurance law, premises liabilty, workplace, taxation, oil and gas, environmental, telecommunications, church disputes, probate, entertainment law, defamation, and one memorable dispute over miniature horses.

Ben has also litigated and tried numerous civil law cases while practicing as a trial attorney, and has argued appeals in state and federal appellate courts, and has moved cases to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ben is a nationally recognized trainer of mediators, President-elect of the Austin/Travis County Dispute Resolution Center, and ten year member of the Texas State University, San Marcos, Graduate Advisory Board for Legal and ADR Studies, designated by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association as "Credentialed Distinguished," it's highest rating. He is member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Ben holds the highest rating in Martindale Hubble, Who's Who Legal, and was named in Austin Monthly Magazine as one of top 20 ADR attorneys in Austin, Texas.

Mediation Practice: Lakeside Mediation Center

Ben is a founding partner of Galton, Cunningham & Bourgeois, PLLC  (Lakeside Mediation Center), an expert dispute resolution firm that has mediated and arbitrated thousands of cases since its inception in 2000: . Lakeside Mediation partners mediate disputes nationally and internationally.

Settlement Counsel:

Since 2007, Ben's legal practice has been limited to acting as Settlement Counsel for selected clients in a braod range of complex disputes nationwide and internationally.

A more complete bio may be found at