About Brian R. Florence
Education:
Graduated from Weber State University in 1965 and the University of Utah Law School in 1968.
Work History:
Self employed, mediator, attorney, Special Master, 1998-present;
Attorney, Florence & Hutchison, P.C., 1968-98.
Experience:
30 years of litigation experience primarily devoted to personal injury, domestic relations, criminal defense, business and employment disputes. Has devoted the past ten years to a nearly exclusive, mediation, arbitration and Special Master practice. Prior to changing this focus, was listed in Best Lawyers in America in the categories of personal injury, domestic relations and criminal law. Currently listed in the category of Family Law Mediation. Listed in the last several editions of Utah Legal Elite in the Arbitrator/Mediator specialty.
Served as a mediator/arbitrator (Apcom Reviewer) for the Prudential class action settlement program administered by AAA. Served as an arbitrator on AAA Administered Moving and Storage dispute cases. He has conducted approximately 3000 other types of mediation and arbitrations, most of which have involved family disputes.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Training:
Collaborative Law Seminars, Salt Lake City, Utah 2000, 2001 & 2002; Trainer in Collaborative Family Law for NBI and Utah; numerous collaborative law presentations; Victim-Offender Dialogue Training, 2006; Commercial Arbitrator Training Workshops, San Francisco, California 2000; Straus Institute Advance Mediation Training, Malibu, California, 2000. Prudential Class Action Mediator/Arbitrator Training Program, New Jersey, 1999; Trainer UDR Domestic Relation Mediation Seminars 1998 through present; Matrimonial Mediation/Arbitration Training, Dallas, Texas, 1995; Mediation Training, Salt Lake City, 1993; AAA Basic Mediator Training, Utah, 1992; CDR Domestic Relations Mediation Training, Boulder, Colorado, 1988; variety of smaller training courses plus has been part of the faculty in family law and basic mediation seminars for many years; numerous single session presentations on mediation skills and concepts.
Recognitions and Awards:
Named Outstanding Domestic Lawyer of the Year in 1987;
Distinguished Lawyer for Service to the Bar award in 1990;
Utah Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1996;
Peace Keeper Award from Utah Council on Conflict Resolution, 2003;
Peter Billings ADR Award, 2007
Lifetime Achievement Award (first ever) from Family Section of Utah State Bar, 2008
Bar and Dispute Resolution Activities and Positions:
Member of Family Law and Dispute Resolution Sections of ABA and Utah Bar
ADR Court Roster for Utah approved mediators (Master Mediator)
Utah State Bar Commission (1980-1986)
President, Utah State Bar (1984-1985)
Interim Executive Director, Utah State Bar (May-September, 1990)
Utah State Bar Examiner (1975-1980)
Client Security Fund Committee (1977-1979)
Weber County Bar President (1979)
Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1977-1980)
District Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1992-1994)
Juvenile Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1984-1985)
Appellate Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1986-1990)
District Court Commissioner Nominating Committee (2003)
Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (1983-1985)
Utah Judicial Conduct Commission (1983-1986)
Chairman of Utah Judicial Conduct Commission (1985-1986)
Ex-officio member of Utah Judicial Council (1985-1986)
Board of Trustee of University of Utah Law School
Alumni Association (1985-1988)
Chairman of Utah Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board (1989-1990)
Vice-President, Utah Bar Foundation (1998 to 2001).
President of Collaborative Family Lawyers of Utah 2000-2003; 2007-2008
Board member, Utah Council on Conflict Resolution (UCCR)
Past Chair of Family Mediators section of UCCR
Professional Associations:
American Arbitration Association, Association for Conflict Resolution; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Fellow); Utah State Bar Association (Past President); American Bar Association, Family Law and Dispute Resolution Sections; American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow); American Board of Trial Advocates; American Bar Foundation (Fellow); Utah Council on Conflict Resolution, (board member); Collaborative Family Lawyers of Utah; International Association of Collaborative Professionals.
