Metcalf
Helping You with All Your Legal Needs
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Biography
Michael P. “Mike” Metcalf doing business as Metcalf Mediation & Arbitration Services is engaged in the practice of law that centers on the mediation and arbitration of civil disputes. Judge Metcalf has more than 40 years of legal experience that includes service in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp, as a District Attorney, District Judge and trial lawyer. Mike, a trial lawyer, is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law.
Judge Metcalf was a judicial pioneer who recognized the need for litigants to seek a resolution to their case before trial. As District Judge of a six county Judicial District with a heavy trial docket, Mike recognized a deeply unfulfilled need to explore settlement of cases pending in his court. Long before mediation became a part of the modern legal system, Judge Metcalf instituted a system of settlement conferences in his Court. The settlement conferences were a precursor to mediation. The settlement conferences were designed to give the parties an opportunity to discuss settlement of their dispute before going to trial.
From a diverse background of having served the legal profession for over forty years starting as an Army JAG officer, then as a trial lawyer and Judge, Mike now focuses his effort exclusively on the Arbitration and Mediation of civil disputes. His work as a mediator has resulted in a track record of having brought hundreds of disputes to an end by settlement.
A strong record of settling disputes springs from a unique mediation process Mike started. His mediation process is one which is calculated to encourage the parties to continue with the mediation process. In cases Mike mediates if the case does not settle at the first session, he recesses the mediation and proffers to the parties the opportunity to return for a free two hour round two “wrap up” session.
Practice Areas
Arbitration & Mediation
Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Personal Injury
Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
Employment Law
Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Construction Law
Construction Contracts, Construction Defects, Construction Liens, Construction Litigation
Consumer Law
Class Action, Lemon Law
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Insurance Claims
Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
Real Estate Law
Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
Insurance Defense
Securities Law
Landlord Tenant
Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
Patents
Patent Appeals, Patent Litigation, Patent Prosecution
Fees
- Rates, Retainers and Additional Information - Current fee structure for mediation and arbitration services can be found at the website: www.metcalfmediation.com
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Languages
Professional Experience
“AV” Preeminent rating Martindale Hubbell
Year: 1979 - Current
Description: “AV” Preeminent rating Martindale Hubbell
Awarded by D Magazine 2016 D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas-Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation
Year: 2016 - Current
Description: Named as a recipient by the 2016 D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas-Alternative Dispute Resolution/Mediation
Member Dallas Bar Association
Year: 1990 - Current
Description: Member
Member Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Year: 1990 - Current
Description: Member of DTLA
Served as an officer 69th Judicial District Bar Association
Year: 1972 - 1974
Description: Served as an officer in the local bar association
Board Member State Bar of Texas Insurance Trust
Year: 1979 - 1985
Description: Member of the Board tasked with supervising the Health Insurance for all participating lawyers in the State of Texas
District Judge 69 th Judicial District Texas
Year: 1975 - 1978
Description: Duties included presiding over all civil and criminal cases of felony grade in a multi-county district; service included sitting as a visiting Judge in Dallas County and Harris County
District Attorney 69th Judicial District Texas
Year: 1971 - 1975
Description: February 1971 – April 1975 District Attorney 69th Judicial District Duties included the prosecution of all felony grade cases in a multi-county district
Sergeant at Arms Rotary Club of Taipei
Year: 1967 - 1969
Description: Member of the Rotary Club of Taipei
Member Pi Chiao Law Society (Chinese)
Year: 1967 - 1969
Description: Member of the Pi Chiao Law Society (Chinese) A comparative Law Society of Taipei, Taiwan
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate United States Army
Year: 1966 - 1970
Description: Duty assignments in the United States Army: September 1966 – December 1966 attended the Judge Advocate General’s Corp School January 1967 – May 1967 assigned as assistant staff judge advocate to the 22nd Field Army Support Command at Ft. Lee, Virginia. May 1967 -September 1969 assigned as assistant staff judge advocate Military Assistance Advisory Group Headquarters (MAAG-China) Taipei, Taiwan 1969 Certificate of Completion Chinese language: Awarded by Headquarters Support Activity, Taipei, Taiwan September 1969 – September 1970: Assistant Staff Judge Advocate assigned to III Corps and Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas.
Professional Associations
State Bar of Texas # 13976000 Member (1966 - Current)
Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member (1992 - Current)
Awards
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Joint Services Commendation Medal
United States Army 1969.0
Note: Awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal for service to the U.S. Army command of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) China
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Army Commendation Medal
United States Army 1970.0
Note: Awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service while serving as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate at Ft. Hood and III Corps, Ft. Hood, Texas
Education
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Texas A&M University - College Station B.S. (1963) | Industrial Distribution
Year: 1958 - 1963
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University Of Houston Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Year: 1966
Certifications
- Civil Trial Law: Texas State Bar
Websites
http://www.metcalfmediation.com
Mediation and Arbitration Services
10000 N Central Expwy., Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 890-9271