John Dewey Watson

Phone: 501.376.2121 or 501.804.4131
Email: johndeweywatson@me.com
To schedule: please call 501.376.2121

Dewey Watson practiced law for thirty-nine years with Arkansas’ largest firm, Friday, Eldredge & Clark, as a trial lawyer. Currently, he is a full-time mediator with ADR, Inc. Throughout his career as a trial lawyer, he tried a wide variety of cases before juries, judges, and arbitrators throughout the State of Arkansas. He is a bronze star recipient for service in Vietnam and a retired Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Since 1990, Dewey has had extensive training as a mediator and has mediated cases concerning medical malpractice, automobile accidents, premises liability, property disputes, commercial construction, residential construction, franchise rights, and domestic relations. Dewey is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes through principled negotiation. If negotiation fails, he believes that arbitration is a fair, confidential, speedy, and economical forum for final resolution of disputes.

Education

J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law, 1970
B.S. in Political Science, Ouachita Baptist College, 1963

Work History

Mediator, ADR, Inc., 2010- Present

Hearing Officer, Contractors Licensing Board, 1990- Present

Smith, Williams, Friday & Bowen (now Friday, Eldredge & Clark) 1971-2010

Law Clerk, Associate Justice Lyle Brown on the Arkansas Supreme Court, 1970 to 1971

United States Marine Corps Reserve, 1967-1992, Colonel

United States Marine Corps, 1963-1967, Captain

Mediation/Arbitration Training

American Arbitration Association
        Construction Ind. Mediator Training, 18 hours.

American Arbitration Association
        Advanced Construction Ind. Mediator Training, 12.75 hours.

American Arbitration Association
        Comprehensive Skill Building, 12 hours.

Professional Affiliations

Member, Arkansas Bar Association, 1970 - Present
        Awarded the Continuing Legal Education Award for Outstanding Contributions
        Organized construction law section of the Arkansas Bar Association
        Awarded the Presidential Award of Excellence

Contributing Author to Legal Texts:
        State-By-State Analysis of Legal Issues Affecting Architects, Engineering,
        Contractors, and Owners
, Aspen Law & Business, 2006

        State-By-State Guide to Architect, engineer and Contractor Licensing, Aspen Law &
        Business, 1999 with annual updated supplements

        Fifty State Monograph on the Enforceability of “No Damages for Delay Clauses”,
        American Bar Association, 1998

Member, Pulaski County Bar Association, 1970 - Present
        Recipient of President’s Award

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