Mediator Profiles
- Photo
- Name
- Richard A. Glaser
- First Name
- Richard
- Last Name
- Glaser
- Metropolitan Area
- Grand Rapids
- State
- MI
- Industries Served
- Business Services, Franchise, Manufacturing, Transportation, Other Commercial
- Expertise
- Contracting, Executive Management, General Business, Legal, Med-Arb, Shareholder/Partnerships
- Associations
- License or Certification
- Law, AAA, Mediator, Arbitrator
- Business Background
- In addition to over 35 years of business law practice and nearly 20 years as mediator and arbitrator, served for nearly 25 years as founding and Managing Partner of the Grand Rapids office for one of Michigan's largest law firms.
- College or University
- Denison University; Northwestern University School of Law
- Degrees
- BA, JD
- Biography
Rich Glaser has specialized in dispute resolution for over 35 years as an attorney representing business clients and for 16 years as a mediator and arbitrator. In 1996, Rich was chosen by his peers and federal jurists among a select group to train and serve the Western District of Michigan as a facilitative mediator in its pioneering Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program that has served as a model throughout the United States.
A member of Business Mediation Network’s Board of Directors, Rich directs the “Lincoln Initiative,” a continuing legal education program designed to improve lawyers’ skills in mediation advocacy and in customizing the dispute resolution process to fit the needs of each client. He is a prolific author and compelling speaker who regularly participates in BMN’s Mediator Training program.
Rich developed leadership and strategic planning expertise as managing partner of his former law firm’s Grand Rapids office and providing clients with post-litigation guidance for real estate development in New Mexico and public safety software design and implementation in Tennessee, Hawaii, Colorado and North Carolina. Glaser has applied that experience to build trust and credibility in negotiations with folks from diverse business backgrounds in order to facilitate solutions to inter-company and intra-enterprise conflicts ranging from franchise disputes, employment claims, breach of contract and/or warranty, unfair competition, vendor/supplier controversies, shareholder disagreements, and struggles for corporate control.
Rich receives favorable feedback as to his ability to remain patient, break down obstacles without coercion, and help the parties flesh out potential solutions. A reflection of Glaser’s versatility was his mediation of a time-sensitive and highly charged struggle for control of a closely-held corporation and valuation dispute. After facilitating a resolution into the wee hours, both parties subsequently endorsed Rich for future ADR, including a special case evaluation that, after a failed mediation by a separate neutral, resolved within three hours a contentious dispute between a custom tool builder and a Tier One automotive supplier. The Tier One supplier then engaged Rich to preside over a complex arbitration.
- Testimonials
“Rich Glaser has, for many years, enjoyed an exceptional career as a highly skilled complex commercial litigator and a mediator of business disputes. He is smart, insightful, creative and pragmatic. And, he also understands the needs of businessmen and women to resolve commercial disputes expeditiously and efficiently, so that they can devote their undivided attention to pursuing their business interests and avoid getting mired in the judicial system. Rich is highly qualified to assist you in resolving complex commercial business disputes professionally and satisfactorily.”
Grand Rapids, MI
“I have used Rich Glaser as a facilitative mediator in a complex business case involving issues of control and valuation in a closely held corporation. There was substantial animosity between the parties. Rich was thorough, diligent, and effective and with his help we were able to reach a resolution, thereby avoiding expensive litigation. Rich was far more than a messenger. He offered his own creative solutions and alternative valuation models to the parties which helped move the process to an ultimate resolution . . . I would recommend him without reservation.”
Grand Rapids, MI
“I have retained Rich to mediate a number of complex business lawsuits/disputes. He has been highly effective in working with the parties in resolving those disputes. He is thorough, prepared, and fair, yet firm. I highly recommend him”.
Grand Rapids, MI