STRATEGY. EXPERIENCE. RESULTS.
David L. John, P.E., C.E.P.S., P.W.S., CGC, is a Florida Supreme Court-certified Circuit Court Mediator, Civil Mediator, and Appellate Mediator based in Davie, Florida.
John resolves contract disputes, commercial real estate conflicts, industrial real estate disputes, and design-build disagreements — without courtrooms, without litigation costs, and without destroying the business relationship.
What separates John from every other Florida commercial mediator is 30 years of direct business experience as both a plaintiff and defendant — he has felt the pressure from both sides of the table.
Every unresolved commercial dispute compounds. David John has been on both sides — schedule your free consultation today.
Commercial Dispute Resolution Group serves businesses and individuals in four categories of commercial conflict across Broward County, Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, and statewide Florida.
Practice Area | What It Covers | Industries Served |
Material breach, non-material breach, payment failures, non-performance | Construction, manufacturing, general business | |
Lease violations, title conflicts, transaction failures | Office, retail, mixed-use properties | |
Warehouse, logistics, and manufacturing facility conflicts | Industrial and distribution sectors | |
Scope conflicts, delay claims, contractor-owner disagreements | Construction, engineering, architecture |
John’s 30 years of direct operational experience across every one of these sectors — as a licensed contractor, professional engineer, and commercial real estate participant — means he understands the substance of the dispute, not just the process for resolving it.
Most Florida mediators come to the table as attorneys or retired judges. John comes as a Principal Participant — someone who has personally served as both plaintiff and defendant in commercial disputes across manufacturing, construction, professional engineering consulting, and commercial and residential real estate.
The Principal Participant distinction matters in mediation. A mediator who has operated a business, managed contractors, signed commercial leases, and stood in a courtroom as a party — not as counsel — reads a dispute differently.
John recognizes the pressure behind every offer and the real cost behind every counteroffer, because he has absorbed both.
John’s credentials reinforce that depth:
Florida Supreme Court-certified at the circuit court, civil, and appellate levels — qualifying him to mediate the full range of commercial disputes in Florida state courts
Licensed P.E. and CGC — technical fluency in construction and engineering disputes, no law-trained neutral can match without the same hands-on background
30+ years of direct business operations across manufacturing, construction, engineering consulting, and commercial and residential real estate
Cross-cultural negotiation experience with parties from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds globally — a practical advantage in Broward and Miami-Dade markets
Commercial disputes in Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County cost Florida businesses millions every year in legal fees and lost operational time. John resolves in weeks what litigation takes years to resolve.
Request your free consultation online — in most cases, a signed settlement agreement is reached within 30 days of the first session.
John structures every commercial mediation session in four stages under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.720:
John establishes ground rules, confirms confidentiality under Florida Statutes §44.405, and introduces the process to all parties
each party presents their position and the outcome they seek
John meets separately with each side to assess interests, test settlement ranges, and identify solutions neither party has raised.
John guides both parties toward a signed, binding agreement enforceable under Florida Statutes §44.102
A signed mediation settlement agreement carries the same legal weight as a court-ordered judgment.
Everything said during the process remains confidential and inadmissible in any subsequent proceeding under Florida Statutes §44.405 — the Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act (2004).
Commercial disputes mediated through the Commercial Dispute Resolution Group typically resolve in one to three sessions within 30 days of the first session, compared to 18 to 36 months for contested commercial litigation in Florida circuit courts, according to the Florida Courts Statistical Reference Guide.
Do I have to go to court to resolve a commercial dispute in Florida?
Florida businesses are not required to litigate commercial disputes in court. Mediation under Florida Statutes §44.102 provides a confidential, voluntary alternative that resolves most commercial conflicts without filing a lawsuit. Florida circuit courts also frequently order mediation before trial under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.720, making it a standard step even in active litigation.
Can I be forced to accept a settlement in commercial mediation?
No party can be forced to settle in commercial mediation. Mediation is a voluntary process — settlement requires the mutual, informed agreement of both parties. Under Florida law, a mediated settlement agreement becomes binding only after both parties sign the written agreement. No statement, offer, or concession made during mediation creates an obligation unless it appears in the executed document.
Is mediation required before filing a commercial lawsuit in Florida?
Mediation is not universally required before filing a commercial lawsuit in Florida, but many commercial contracts include pre-suit mediation clauses requiring it as a condition precedent to litigation under Chapter 44, Florida Statutes. Florida circuit courts also commonly order mediation after a lawsuit is filed under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.700 before allowing the case to proceed to trial.
How much does commercial mediation cost compared to litigation in Florida?
Commercial mediation fees typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 total, split between parties. Commercial litigation in Florida circuit courts averages $50,000 to $300,000 in total legal costs across discovery, depositions, and trial preparation, according to the Florida Bar. John confirms his fee structure during the free initial consultation at 954-444-2900.
How long does commercial mediation take in Florida?
Commercial disputes mediated through the Commercial Dispute Resolution Group typically resolve in one to three sessions within 30 days of the first session. Most South Florida businesses can schedule mediation within two to four weeks of contacting a mediator, compared to months or years for a Florida circuit court date, according to the Florida Courts Annual Report.
What happens if commercial mediation does not result in a settlement?
If mediation does not produce a signed agreement, both parties retain all legal rights and may proceed with litigation, arbitration, or any other remedy available under their contract or Florida law. Nothing disclosed or offered during mediation is admissible as evidence in any subsequent proceeding under Florida Statutes §44.405, the Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act (2004).
Is commercial mediation in Florida confidential?
All mediation communications are confidential and inadmissible as evidence in any subsequent legal proceeding under Florida Statutes §44.405, the Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act (2004). This protection covers every participant — parties, attorneys, and the mediator — and applies regardless of whether the session produces a settlement agreement.
What should a business bring to a commercial mediation session?
Parties entering commercial mediation with John benefit from preparing four items: a written summary of the dispute and the minimum acceptable resolution, copies of all relevant contracts and correspondence, supporting financial documentation, and a decision-maker with authority to settle. Bringing legal counsel is optional but recommended for disputes exceeding $100,000 in claimed damages.
Does David John mediate or arbitrate — and what is the difference?
John serves as both a certified mediator and a certified arbitrator. In mediation, John facilitates negotiation — settlement authority stays with the parties. In arbitration under Florida Statutes §44.103 and §44.104, John acts as the decision-maker and renders a binding or non-binding award after hearing both sides. Commercial Dispute Resolution Group offers both services depending on what the parties’ contract or circumstances require.
How do parties select a Florida Supreme Court-certified commercial mediator?
Parties selecting a Florida commercial mediator should evaluate three factors: certification level under Florida Statutes §44.106 (circuit court, civil, and appellate), substantive domain knowledge in the industry where the dispute arose, and direct experience with comparable dispute types. John holds all three certification levels and brings 30 years of hands-on operational experience across construction, manufacturing, engineering, and commercial real estate.