Getting to Know Mediator Marc Barré, Jr.

Fri, Jan 3rd, 2020 | by Miles Mediation and Arbitration | Get to Know our Neutrals, News | Social Share

Marc Barré, strives to be a mediator and lawyer that elevates the profession. He specializes in commercial litigation and complex personal injury disputes and has helped resolve thousands of matters, including cases with tens of millions of dollars in damages. Outside of his successful practice, Marc enjoys football, outdoor sports, and spending time with loved ones on a family farm just outside of Gainesville. Learn more about Marc and why clients find him “attentive, thoughtful, and caring.”

What made you want to become a lawyer?

My family had a close friend who was an attorney, which allowed me to see that the legal profession was interesting and people-oriented. While studying business at The University of Georgia, I particularly enjoyed my business law courses and learning that the law affects almost every aspect of our lives.

What is your area of specialization?

My career has focused on personal injury, insurance-related litigation, and construction matters. This has included extracontractual litigation, insurance coverage matters, premises liability, business owner’s liability, and motor vehicle matters.

What are you most proud of with respect to your career?

I am very proud to have been able to help clients through their difficult times, and having developed and maintained a reputation as a thoughtful, dedicated, and fair lawyer. I have tried to maintain the highest level of professionalism which I believe is critical to the practice of law.

Why did you become a Neutral?

I have litigated thousands of cases during my career. One of the greatest developments in the legal field during the past 20 years has been the use of ADR, primarily mediation. ADR has allowed parties to resolve their matters in ways that allow them to control their destiny while reaching an acceptable result. As a neutral, I can assist parties and their council in finding ways to resolve their matters and move forward.

What does ADR look like in 10 years?

Courts will continue to recognize the benefits of ADR and expand the use of ADR in the litigation process. Courts will insist that parties explore resolution through ADR before a court will expand its resources on trial. I also believe that more parties and insurers will seek mediation of cases and claims both prior to and at earlier stages of litigation.

What is your conflict resolution style/ approach?

My approach is to help the parties understand and focus on the important points of the case from both their side and the other side’s perspective. It is my belief that while a party may not agree with the other side, it is important that they understand the other side’s points.

What do you hope to accomplish through your ADR practice?

It is my goal to assist parties in resolving their differences by finding a solution that works for both sides. This can best be accomplished by helping parties to understand that there are, in fact, usually 2 sides to a dispute and that each side may have legitimate arguments.

How would your clients describe you?

I believe that my clients find me to be attentive, thoughtful, and caring. They recognize that my approach is to find a resolution to their problem which is satisfactory in an overall manner.

Where did you grow up?

I have lived my entire life in the Atlanta metropolitan area. I attended the University of Georgia for both undergraduate and law school. I passed the Georgia bar in 1983, and I have practiced in the Atlanta area since that time. My wife and I have been married for over 38 years and we have 3 grown sons.

What do you do in your spare time? How do you unwind?

My wife and I are huge college football fans. We are both UGA alums while all of our kids and their wives went to Auburn. Mid-November is a stressful time in our family due to our football divided family. I also enjoy outdoor sports and working at our farm just outside of Gainesville where we have beehives, raise cut flowers and have a large vegetable garden. In fact, this farm has been in our family since 1799.

What characteristics do you admire most in others?

I find it admirable when people have a willingness to listen and understand the perspective of another person or side of a case even though they may not agree with the position.

What is your favorite book?

Sunlight and Shadows by Gene Hill. I find the book to be thought-provoking, and the author has the ability to convey emotions in ways rarely found in books.