Construction Arbitration and Mediation

      As a veteran construction lawyer, Ed Fleming knows the time pressures and stress on lawyers preparing and presenting complex construction claims cases. He has seen the shortcomings of state and federal courts in managing construction adjudication in a timely and cost effective manner. He also has experienced, first hand, the bureaucracy and high administrative fees charged by the nation's largest arbitration service, the American Arbitration Association. He believes private that arbitration before fair and experienced construction lawyers is a superior means of resolving construction disputes.

Construction Arbitrator and Mediator

      Ed's decision to offer himself nationally as a construction arbitrator was spurred by his desire to "give back" to the industry that has treated him well over the years. He believes that private arbitration before experienced construction lawyers to be the fastest and most cost effective manner of resolving construction liability disputes.

     Ed has represented clients in all aspects of construction claims, from design professionals, to developers and owners, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and product manufacturers. His trial experience in construction disputes has ranged from "small dollar" cases involving single family houses, to multi-million dollar commercial construction litigation. During his 23 years as an attorney, and more recently as a construction arbitrator, he has gained extensive experience in construction law, construction methods, technical issues, and all other matters relating to construction litigation. He has been involved in numerous multi-party, complex construction litigation cases, including "product failure" cases, and "kitchen sink" condominium litigation.         

      Even before Ed decided to offer himself as a construction arbitrator, he was repeatedly asked to arbitrate construction disputes by lawyers familiar with his reputation for fairness, and knowledge of construction law and the technical issues that arise in construction claims disputes. As demonstrated by comments made by judges and attorneys (see "Testimonial" section), Ed has earned a reputation for both integrity and legal scholarship. He was twice asked by Florida's governor to serve on a commission that helps select appellate judges, and has been invited to Tallahassee to help interview prospective trial court judges. Ed frequently lectures on construction law issues. He has been approved as an instructor on construction law issues by bar associations and contractor licensing agencies in several states throughout the Southeast.

      Ed's scholarship, experience, diligence and dedication to achieving fair resolutions to complex disputes make him well qualified to assist you as a construction arbitrator.

      Ed Fleming is often described, by lawyers and judges, as a “lawyer’s lawyer.” He has been described by a former Florida Supreme Court Justice as “one of the best legal minds and principled attorneys I have ever known.” He achieved the “AV” ranking, the highest peer review ranking offered by the well-respected Marindale-Hubbell publication, early in his career.


      Edward P. Fleming is a founding partner of the law firm McDonald Fleming Moorhead. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia and his bachelor's degree from Georgia State University.

      Ed is involved in numerous legal associations including the Christian Legal Society, Attorney's Counsel for the American Subcontractors Association, and Attorney's Council for Florida Family Research Council. He has been twice appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court of Appeals, a panel that nominates appellate judges. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of that Commission. He has earned an AV® rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible given by his peers in the Pensacola area.
      Ed's practice is focused on construction, corporate and business law. Ed's clients have included President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard Cheney whom he had the privilege of representing in a federal action challenging the rejection of hundreds of votes from overseas and military personnel during the 2000 Presidential Election.

Primary Areas of Practice
Construction Law and Litigation, Construction Arbitration, Construction Mediation
Commercial Litigation

Admissions
Admitted to practice law before all Florida Courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Education
Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, 1986
University of Georgia

B.S., 1974
Georgia State University

Employment
1988 - Present     Partner - McDonald Fleming Moorhead

Professional Associations
Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
The Florida Bar
Florida Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court
of Appeals (Commissioner, Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush)
Christian Legal Society
Rutherford Institute
Attorney's Counsel for the American Subcontractors Association
Attorney's Council for Florida Family Research Council
Florida Council for Construction Specifications Institute

Accomplishments
Phi Kappa Phi
Order of the Coif
R.E. Dorough Scolar, 1984-1986
Jessup International Moot Court Competition, Best Oral Advocate,
Southeast Region, 1985
American Jurisprudence Award in Bankruptcy, Recipient, 1986
Co-Author of CA-8 Expands Reporting Exemption for Church-Affiliated
Organizations, The Journal of Taxation, 1985