I just completed another successful mediation with Phil, who always manages to find a way to finish the job. I have been a defense lawyer in Corpus Christi for thirty years and was defending a Nueces County case, but went to see Phil because I knew he was our best shot at resolving a very contentious liability dispute. Phil’s patience and calm demeanor were brought to bear from the start as he discussed and explained to the claims representative some of the evidentiary issues that might bear on liability, and it is clear that Phil played the Devil’s advocate in the other room as well. Phil is direct and does not pull any punches, and one of the traits that makes him so effective in my opinion is what seems to be a sixth sense about pushing a point just far enough, never beyond. He plies his craft politely and professionally and it is a real pleasure to get to mediate with him, as you never feel that your time is wasted. I like going to see Phil in particular because he has a keen perspective and is a huge asset in helping to explain difficult concepts so that the decision-makers understand completely, and are therefore comfortable to make informed choices. Phil sure did a great job for the parties and the process yesterday in what was basically a red light/green light dispute, convincing both sides that perhaps it was yellow after all.