Disclosures

SteveNelsonADR is a dedicated website to showcase and facilitate scheduling of ADR Services offered by Steve Nelson, as an employee and officer of SureTec Information Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of the Markel Corporation. All services by Steve are through, and all fees are earned by and payable to, SureTec.

Disclosures, Conflicts, Impartiality and Bias: I have disclosed, or will disclose, to you all material relationships, dealings, and prior contact with the parties, their counsel, and any principals, witnesses, experts, consultants, insurers, sureties, etc. you identify for me. If there is any relationship that precludes me from serving in an impartial and neutral manner, I will decline the assignment. If any of the disclosures raise questions that are not answered to your satisfaction, please let me know and I will withdraw if I cannot assure you of my neutrality. When you consider the business dealings between my companies and many construction companies, bar and trade association activities, and prior legal and dispute resolution engagements, it is rare that I have not had dealings with some or all of the counsel, experts, insurance carriers or parties in major construction disputes. Many contractors and subcontractors are either bonded or insured  by SureTec, Markel, or Evanston Insurance Companies or have bonds written in their favor. Often those companies consider that relationship confidential, and I will not disclose those surety relationships unless I have been personally and directly involved in a claim or transaction that might create a true conflict of interest. It is my hope that those dealings will not always be viewed as a disqualifying factor, but as what they often prove to be: the basis for credibility that allows me to be more effective in the mediation process.

Mediation is not the Practice of Law  While I am a licensed Texas attorney, mediation is not the practice of law. Anything I suggest or recommend during the course of an ADR engagement is not legal advice. I encourage all parties to retain independent legal counsel to advise them on the terms of any settlement that might be reached and, on their decision to enter into such an settlement.  I may summarize the terms of a settlement or proposal in the form of a draft settlement agreement or memorandum of understanding to make sure that all important deal points are covered. In the end, each party must make its own decisions, with the advice of counsel as to whether or not the terms presented are enforceable or create a binding agreement under applicable law. Regardless of my involvement is suggesting or providing an initial draft of an agreement, the parties must adopt that agreement as if it were the subject of a joint drafting effort by all counsel.

Use of Artificial Intelligence  As part of my mediation and case management practice, I may utilize secure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist in organizing information, analyzing submissions, summarizing positions, preparing timelines, and enhancing efficiency in delivering neutral services. These tools are used solely to support my role as a neutral and are not used to make decisions or substitute for independent professional judgment.

All materials shared with me remain confidential and are handled in accordance with applicable confidentiality obligations. No confidential information is shared with any public AI platforms or used for training purposes.

Please let me know in advance if you have any concerns regarding the use of such tools in connection with your matter.