JOSEPH GEORGE

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Joseph George is an intelligent and astute businessman with an innovative and motivational mindset. His passion for helping people shows in his body of work.  He is an independent, full-time Supreme Court certified mediator and  qualified arbitrator. As an arbitrator, his role is to ensure the parties get a fair and effectively managed proceeding. His talents as a mediator, helps to guide the parties to a mutually satisfactory dispute settlement. The combination of his past industry experience in contract negotiations and his skills in crisis management makes him an ideal mediator or arbitrator for matters involving construction or employment, as well as complex business disputes. Both roles are crucial components in his position as a founding partner with the George & George ADR Group. As an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) boutique firm, their primary focus is on the beauty and cosmetic industry. This includes hair salons, day spas, barbershops, and suite renters through arbitration, mediation, and negotiation.  
Moreover, Mr. George has worked on cases involving commercial and business disputes, breach of contract and negligence, construction disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, employment discrimination claims, beauty product defects disputes, and most beauty industry disputes.  He became a subject matter expert in his areas of work through hands-on training combined with licensing and certification. He has acquired certifications in the important areas of ADA coordinator, legal assistant, human resource, conflict management, risk management, beauty professional, and construction project manager.

Growing up in the US Virgin Islands, Mr. George was introduced into various areas of the construction business at an early age. As a young boy and into his teens, he spent a lot of time building homes with his father who was also a construction worker. He also worked as chief engineer for hotels which was a great segway for him to serve in multiple roles in the multi-family housing industry. Mr. George is able to leverage this in-depth construction industry knowledge through his work with contractors, subcontractors, public and private owners, and developers. His expertise in the areas of arbitration and mediation within the construction industry allow him to effectively handle Alternative Dispute Resolutions as a mediator and arbitrator for disputes involving scope of work, design defects, contract claims, scheduling issues, construction defects, mechanic’s liens, zoning/land use issues, warranties, labor disputes, and bonding. Mr. George’s construction dispute experience is extensive, and further includes issues involving project development, infrastructure and construction, and financing within both residential and commercial building projects such as road construction, demolition, disaster recovery, parking garages, condo development, hotel renovation, salon and spa construction, and residential housing projects.

The plethora of business knowledge Mr. George has acquired has afforded him opportunities to effectively apply his skills as a strong negotiator, compassionate leader, and team collaborator to produce the results needed when called upon. As a result, he has been involved in negotiating many complex financial transactions related to starting new businesses, growing existing businesses, and resolving other diverse business-related disputes.

In previous years, Mr. George has successfully worked on claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, breach of contract, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, wage and hour violations, and discrimination. Additionally, he has negotiated settlements on behalf of employers and employees in many cases, thus avoiding trial costs for the clients. As an EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) investigator, Mr. George uses his thorough knowledge of federal and state nondiscrimination laws, including Title VI, VII, and IX, to conduct independent investigations, draft unbiased reports based on his findings, and issue recommendations for leadership.

Prior to becoming a full-time mediator and arbitrator with George & George ADR, he was nationally recognized as a Spa and Salon Consultant specialist and expert in the salon and spa industry. His extensive knowledge and experience in the business has given him insight to the beauty industry. As a consultant, he specializes in teaching and equipping salon and spa owners with the necessary abilities and strategies to take their business to the next level.

Mr. George is one of the few mediators and arbitrators who is also a certified hostage and crisis negotiator. His work in these roles is synergetic, as both require high-level communication and negotiation skills. In his work as a hostage negotiator, Mr. George is responsible for deescalating dangerous situations and ensuring that everyone survives the ordeal. He facilitates open and productive communication between hostage takers, barricaded criminals, suicidal individuals, and terrorists.

Apart from the business world Mr. George has a meticulous work-life balance, as he is a devout family man. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with his family and is very hands on with his autistic child. He works closely with an individualized education program (IEP) which helps him to address any therapy for speech, behavior, or sensory concerns his child may have.  He is also a promoter of community service and is an avid supporter of community groups designed to inspire and motivate women of all ages.