Michael A. Hawash, Esq.

Professional Background

Founder
Hawash Houston Mediation (2018–Present)

Partner
Hawash Cicack & Gaston LLP (2008–Present)

Previous Positions

• Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2004–2008)
• Adams & Reese LLP (2001–2004)
• Verner Liipfert Bernhard McPherson and Hand Chartered (1999–2001)
• Meyer Orlando & Evans PC (1993–1999)

Mediation Experience

Michael has mediated over 600 cases involving:

• Construction defects, delay claims, liens, and subcontractor disputes

• First- and third-party insurance coverage, bad faith, and broker liability
• Legal and design professional malpractice
• Contract disputes, business valuation, partnership dissolution, and fiduciary duty claims
• Negligence, auto accidents, and personal injury claims

Mediation Style & Philosophy

Michael approaches mediation with a commitment to ethical problem-solving and a relentless pursuit of resolution. He emphasizes:

• Early and thorough understanding of party needs and case facts

• Pre-mediation information exchange when necessary

• Risk analysis through neutral, non-adversarial questioning

• Settlement discussions grounded in realism and reasoned evaluation

Education

• J.D., University of Houston Law Center, 1994

• B.A. in History and Government, University of Texas at Austin, 1991

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Texas
• U.S. District Courts: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Certifications & Specialized Training

• Certified Mediator, A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center
• Trained Early Dispute Resolution Neutral, EDR Institute
• Credentialed Distinguished Mediator, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association
• National Panel Mediator – American Arbitration Association
• Commercial & Construction Panel Arbitrator – American Arbitration Association
• Adjunct Professor – University of Houston Law Center

Honors & Recognition

• Texas Super Lawyers, 2011–2018
• Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers, 2014–2015
• “Superb” Rating by Avvo
• Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals

Professional Memberships

• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• Board of Directors, Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (Credentialed Distinguished Mediator)
• Trustee, Early Dispute Resolution Institute
• Houston Bar Association, ADR Council (Chairman)
• American Bar Association (Committees on ADR, Early Dispute Resolution, Practice Management, Business & Skills Development, and Mediation)
• Association of Attorney-Mediators
• Texas Association of Mediators

Publications

• Zealous Advocacy & Zealous Problem Solving: Ethical Duties in Mediation, The Houston Lawyer (2021)
• No Jury, No Trial, No Problem: A New Form of Dynamic Mediation Is Helping to Unclog Harris County’s Civil Dockets (with Judge Jim Kovach), The Houston Lawyer (2021)
• Early Dispute Resolution Comes of Age During the Pandemic, ABA Just Resolutions (2020)
• An Introduction to Early Dispute Resolution: Fairly and Ethically Resolving Disputes Within 30 Days (with Peter Silverman), Association of Attorney-Mediators (2020)
• Normandy, The Magnificent Eleven and Mediation, houstonmediationandarbitration.com (2019)
• Recent Developments in Admiralty Jurisdiction (with Peter A. McLauchlan), Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Vol. 18 (1994)
• What Every Game Developer Needs to Know About Intellectual Property Rights, Computer Gaming World (1999)
• How to Start and Grow Your Own Computer Game Development Company, GameSpot.com (1999)
• The Ultimate Online Lawsuit, Computer Gaming World (1998)
• Foreword, Turning Point: Recollections of Russian Participants and Witnesses of the Stalingrad Battle, Leaping Horseman Books (2008)

Speaking Engagements

Michael regularly speaks at continuing legal education programs, law schools, and professional organizations on advanced mediation topics, early dispute resolution, and litigation risk analysis. Below is a selection of his recent presentations and teaching roles:

• Guest Lecturer, Apologies, Forgiveness & Reconciliation: Two Case Studies — Pepperdine University School of Law (Feb 2025)
• Adjunct Professor, Mediation Advocacy — University of Houston Law Center (Spring 2023–2025)
• Instructor, How to Analyze Risk, Value Cases & Settle Early — Houston Bar Association (Jan 2025)
• Speaker, An Introduction to Early Dispute Resolution for Mediators — Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution (Jan 2025)
• Speaker, Early Dispute Resolution for the Judiciary: How EDR Can Reduce Docket Congestion — Houston Bar Association (Dec 2024)
• Panelist, Now or Later: Early or Post-Discovery Mediation — Houston Bar Association (Nov 2024)
• Visiting Lecturer, An Introduction to Early Dispute Resolution for Law Students — South Texas College of Law (2023–2025)
• Adjunct Professor, Legal Negotiations — University of Houston Law Center (Fall 2024)
• Instructor, Early Dispute Resolution — EDR Institute (Jun 2024)
• Panelist, EDR: How to Evaluate Cases & Settle Early — Practicing Law Institute (Jun 2024)
• Speaker, Decision Trees & Impasse Management — Houston Bar Association (May 2024)
• Speaker, Risk Assessment & Decision Trees — Houston Bar Association (2024)
• Instructor, How to Analyze Risk, Value Cases & Settle Early — American Arbitration Association (Nov 2023)
• Visiting Lecturer, Alternative Dispute Resolution — South Texas College of Law (Nov 2023)
• Speaker, EDR: A Proven Process to Settle Cases Early, Equitably and Economically — Houston Bar Association (Nov 2023)
• Panelist, Arbitration and Insurance — American Arbitration Association (Sep 2023)
• Speaker, Early Dispute Resolution for Mediators — Frank Evans Center for Conflict Resolution (Aug 2023)
• Instructor, Applying Tried & Proven Early Dispute Resolution Strategies — American Arbitration Association (May 2023)
• Panelist, Mediation Analytical Settlement Tools — American Arbitration Association (Mar 2023)
• Panelist, Impasse Management — ABA Advanced Mediation & Advocacy Skills Institute (Nov 2022)
• Instructor, Resetting the Bar: Using Early Dispute Resolution to Resolve Disputes Economically & Fairly — American Arbitration Association (Nov 2022)
• Instructor, Risk Analysis & Decision Trees — New York State Unified Court System (Jun 2022)
• Speaker, The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution — Houston Bar Association ADR Conference (May 2022)
• Visiting Lecturer, Mediation Advocacy — University of Houston Law Center (2022)
• Instructor, Impasse Management: Analytical Tools & Techniques — Southern California Mediation Association (Nov 2021)
• Panel Member, Early Dispute Resolution — ABA Advanced Mediation & Advocacy Skills Institute (Nov 2021)
• Instructor, Early Dispute Resolution Neutral Certification & Training — EDR Institute (Jun 2021)
• Panel Member, The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution — American Arbitration Association (Mar 2021)
• Speaker, An Introduction to Early Dispute Resolution — Association of Attorney Mediators Annual Conference (Sep 2020)