What People are Saying

I want to throw a huge shout out to Phil Watkins. Once again, Phil was able to assist in getting one of our clients a fair settlement. The 41-year-old Plaintiff was injured while operating his own tractor-trailer here in Bexar County. The defendant driver cut across three lanes of traffic to enter a gas station while operating a tractor hauling an empty haz-mat (bleach) trailer. Our client swerved to avoid the impact and rolled his own tractor-trailer. The client had $131k in past meds (ER, chiro, and ESIs). Bruggeman recommended a lumbar disc replacement. We had a life care plan that amounted to $1.13M in present day value. Defense argued that our client’s morbid obesity in addition to chronic findings in the ER CT scan (which showed old spinal compression fractures with osteophytes) were the cause of the client’s issues. We were set for trial next month. Phil issued a $2.76M mediator’s proposal that both sides accepted. This was a great result, and Phil was awesome!

I cannot say enough good things about Phil, as both a mediator and just a decent human being. He is skillful at getting the parties to a middle ground, whether in the way of making helpful suggestions, being open to suggestions, being a good listener, you name it, and always in an efficiently timely manner. Although I don’t have many cases in the San Antonio area, when I do, Phil is at the top of my list for mediators.

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful job you did in mediating Mr. Hernandez’ case. It was a very difficult case and you did not stop after our initial session did not result in a settlement. Your hard work, knowledge and expertise paid off in a successful settlement. I will gladly use your services again.

Thanks again for you diligence in pursuing a settlement of this case. Your input and ideas resulted in getting this very difficult claim resolved.   I’m always impressed with mediators who continue to work just as hard after the mediation as they do during the mediation.  You are one of those mediators and a rare breed.

Andy

I had my first mediation with Phil earlier this week. Funeral home case.  I echo everything Steve Dummitt just said.

Phil did an excellent job for my client earlier this week in a non-surgical MVA case. Def was national company rep’d by a Louisiana lawyer. We are fortunate to have excellent mediators in town that can help steer the other side in the direction needed to get cases resolved.

I practice in Victoria and throughout South Texas.  I used Phil Watkins as a mediator about 4 years ago on a recommendation from a San Antonio lawyer.  Best recommendation I ever had.  I use Phil every chance I get.  Defense lawyers know Phil’s reputation for diligence and working both sides over during mediation.  He has the respect from both sides of the bar. He has mediated 2 of my cases that didn’t settle at mediation but he continued to work both sides for months until the cases resolved.  I don’t know anyone else that would do that. Add Phil to your top mediators.

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.

Had a mediation handled by Phil on Friday of last week and, as usual, it worked out perfectly. Plaintiff was great, liability clear, and FLI was on the ropes. Phil made the process smooth and helped keep the pressure on, making it clear to FLI that trial was not going to go well for them. The week before trial and we settle in an amount I didn’t think FLI would get to, thanks in part to a great mediator. That’s a good way to start a weekend.

Yesterday, Phil mediated a difficult case with an even more difficult carrier. He obtained policy limits in a minimal amount of time. He did a great, great job for my clients and me. Thanks Phil!