McCammon Group and Juridical Solutions "Neutrals" have History of Corruption and Unethical Misconduct
The McCammon Group and Juridical Solutions is composed of retired judges and lawyers who offer Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) to litigating parties to mediate their differences outside the courts.
The first problem is that these retired "neutrals" are not bound by the Judicial Canons and the Virginia Code of Professional Conduct (VCPC). Another problem is these neutrals are paid by the hour, ranging from $300-$800 per hour. One must think, in whose interest is the dispute resolution favor? The neutral of course, as he is getting paid by the hour, the longer it drags out, the better for them and costly for the parties, as they are paying their attorneys as well.
The McCammon Group and Juridical Solutions offer mediation and arbitration services, one might think they are the same but there is a difference yet either choice will end you back to the courts.
Juridical Solution states "Mediation and Arbitration are quite distinct procedures. Mediation is not binding upon the parties, but is a process where a Neutral Mediator works with the parties and their counsel in seeking to facilitate an agreeable resolution of the disputes between them. On the other hand, Arbitration is a process where the parties select a Neutral Arbitrator who will hear evidence presented by the parties, and then render a binding Arbitration Award. An Arbitration Award is essentially the same as a judgment by a Court of competent jurisdiction."
Lets look at the last sentence "An Arbitration Award is essentially the same as a judgment by a Court of competent jurisdiction."
Wrong, it is not the same:
- a Court judgement can be appealed, challenged and enforced.
- if the "Arbitration Award" is breached by either party or both, the parties will have to litigate in the Courts to settle the breach of award.
- the "neutral" is the only one deciding the dispute, where as in a Court, a jury can decide the litigation.
Who would you take your chances with, a corrupt "neutral" who is paid by the hour, or a jury of your peers who are paid by the state?
Juridical Solutions states "Mediation is an alternative to a Courtroom trial where a Judge or Jury decides the outcome of your dispute. The retired Judges of JS are neutral facilitators (mediators) who help you settle your case on your terms. Court is public; mediation is private and confidential. Court is formal and restricted to certain evidence; mediation is more wholistic."
- a courtroom trial can be settled by the opposing parties at any time without having to pay a corrupt "neutral" by the hour.
- a jury can decide the outcome, much better to put your faith in twelve peers than in the hands of a "retired" judge who is not bound by any codes or canons of professional conduct.
- court hearings are a matter of record, so any evidence or statements made by witnesses can be used in the Appellate Court, where in mediation or arbitration is confidential.
McCammon Group states "the hourly rate applies to all of the Neutral’s professional time. Generally, travel time will be billed at 50% of the hourly rate (100% for cases convened outside of VA/MD/DC). Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses such as hotels, tolls, third party conference call charges, etc. will be billed."
If the lawyer/law firm does not wish to be the responsible payer, it will be necessary for the party to establish and maintain a satisfactory retainer account with McCammon before any professional services may be rendered.
McCammon Group's hourly rate could cost the parties over $1500 per hour if you include "travel time, out-of-pocket expenses, hotels, call charges, etc." This is an open invitation to get scammed in a expensive way!
If we take a close look at a few of the "neutrals", many are facing ethics complaints and sanctions in the Appellate Courts for their unethical misconduct of violating Virginia and Federal Codes, the VCPC, and Judicial Canons of Virginia.
Juridical Solutions retired Judge Daniel T. Balfour is under investigation by the Supreme Court of Virginia for violating Va. Code § 18.2-481. Treason, which usurped the authority of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
McCammon Group's Michael E. Harman is facing numerous sanctions in the Appellate Court for Fraud on the Court, misconduct, and numerous violations of the Rules of the Virginia Code of Professional Conduct (VCPC), now faces class 4 felony charges for violating Va. Code § 18.2-447. When a person guilty of bribery. Michael E. Harman conspired with his associate Julie Palmer to bribe retired Judge Wilford Taylor, also a McCammon Group "neutral", and have ex parte communications as to vacate previous orders in Henrico County Circuit Court Cases CL21006572 and CL21005759.
Judge Wilford Taylor was shamelessly forced to recuse himself from presiding over the hearings and the SCV was obligated to designate another Judge, who happen to be Juridical Solutions retired Judge Joseph J. Ellis.
Judge Joseph Ellis had conflicts of interest to preside over four cases in the Henrico Circuit Court involving ethics complaints against Richmond high profile attorneys. Judge Ellis close relationship with the Defendants and McGuire woods law firm, which he was a "neutral" in arbitration and mediation dispute resolutions.
A motion for Judge Ellis to recuse himself was filed several times, yet Judge Ellis refused to enter an order and violated several judicial canons by hearing the ethics complaints. With no surprise Judge Ellis dismissed the ethics complaints against the nine high profile Richmond attorneys, entering contradicting orders that violated the constitution, Virginia and Federal codes, and the rules of the VCPC.
