{"id":146976,"date":"2026-03-24T07:52:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:52:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/03\/24\/steven-gard-from-trial-lawyer-to-trusted-neutral\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T07:52:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T15:52:08","slug":"steven-gard-from-trial-lawyer-to-trusted-neutral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/03\/24\/steven-gard-from-trial-lawyer-to-trusted-neutral\/","title":{"rendered":"Steven Gard: From Trial Lawyer to Trusted Neutral"},"content":{"rendered":"

After more than five decades practicing law, Steven Gard has discovered a professional role that allows him to use everything he learned in the courtroom\u2014without stepping into one.<\/p>\n

Today, through his Jacksonville-based practice Gard Mediation, LLC, the longtime trial attorney helps lawyers and their clients resolve complex disputes ranging from business conflicts to financial services matters. Drawing on decades of litigation experience, he now works as a neutral, guiding negotiations and helping attorneys evaluate the risks and realities of their cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cMediation gives parties an opportunity to solve problems in ways the court system simply can\u2019t,\u201d Gard says. \u201cIt saves time, it saves expense, and it allows people to reach solutions that actually serve their interests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gard formally launched his mediation practice in 2020, at a moment when much of the legal profession was temporarily at a standstill. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced courts across the country to close their doors and postpone hearings, many litigators suddenly found themselves navigating an uncertain landscape.<\/p>\n

For Gard, the unusual pause provided an opportunity for reflection.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had been practicing law for 45 years,\u201d he says. \u201cThe pandemic slowed everything down, and it gave me a chance to step back and think about what I wanted the next phase of my career to look like.\u201d<\/p>\n

He decided it was time to step away from representing clients and devote his practice entirely to mediation.<\/p>\n

The transition felt natural. Throughout his litigation career Gard had frequently worked in arbitration settings, particularly in disputes involving the financial services industry, where arbitration clauses are common in investment account agreements.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had always appreciated the advantages of alternative dispute resolution,\u201d he explains. \u201cYou can resolve disputes much faster, and the parties have far more flexibility in crafting a settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Confidentiality is another key benefit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn many business disputes, companies simply don\u2019t want sensitive information becoming public,\u201d Gard says. \u201cMediation allows them to reach a resolution without exposing trade secrets or proprietary information.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Natural Fit<\/h2>\n

Gard\u2019s path to mediation began long before he ever sat at the head of a conference table as a neutral.<\/p>\n

Born and raised outside Detroit, he came of age during a tumultuous period in American history. As a student at the University of Michigan in the early 1970s, Gard witnessed firsthand the national debates surrounding the Vietnam War and the unfolding Watergate scandal.<\/p>\n

Those events had a profound impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first I thought I might go into journalism,\u201d he recalls. \u201cBut watching the Watergate hearings unfold made me realize that lawyers were right in the center of the most important issues facing the country. That really sparked my interest in the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

His curiosity was reinforced even earlier through participation in a high school mock trial program, an experience he still remembers vividly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI discovered that I loved the process,\u201d he says. \u201cEverything from building an argument to presenting evidence to persuading people. It was a natural fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

After graduating with honors from the University of Michigan, he went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis. From there, Gard embarked on a legal career that would span government service, private practice, and national arbitration work.<\/p>\n

A Career Forged in Complex Litigation<\/h2>\n

Gard\u2019s perspective as a mediator is shaped by a career that has touched nearly every corner of the legal profession. Early in his career he served as an attorney in the enforcement division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before entering private practice, where he spent decades handling securities litigation and complex commercial disputes throughout Florida, Georgia, and beyond. Along the way he also served as an arbitrator and mediator for organizations including FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange, and the American Arbitration Association.<\/p>\n

That background, he says, allows him to quickly understand the dynamics of a case from both sides of the negotiating table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve spent years trying cases, you develop a pretty good sense of the risks that come with litigation,\u201d Gard says. \u201cPart of my role as a mediator is helping lawyers and their clients realistically evaluate those risks.\u201d<\/p>\n

After launching his full-time mediation practice, his reputation quickly grew among attorneys who appreciate working with a mediator who understands not only the law but also the realities of litigation strategy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen lawyers come into mediation, they want someone who understands the case,\u201d Gard says.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey want someone who can speak their language.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Three Ps of Effective\u00a0Mediation<\/h2>\n

Gard often describes successful mediation through what he calls the three Ps \u2013 patience, persistence, and practicality.<\/p>\n

\u201cPatience and persistence are fairly obvious,\u201d he says. \u201cNegotiations take time, and sometimes people need space to process information and reconsider their positions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Practicality, however, is just as important.<\/p>\n

\u201cA settlement only works if it\u2019s something the parties can actually implement,\u201d Gard explains. \u201cSometimes that means thinking creatively about solutions the court system simply isn\u2019t designed to provide.\u201d<\/p>\n

His style is what mediators often describe as evaluative mediation, meaning he is willing to provide candid feedback when he believes a legal argument may not hold up under scrutiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I think someone is relying on a claim or a defense that isn\u2019t a strong one, I\u2019ll say so,\u201d he notes. \u201cLawyers usually appreciate that kind of honesty because it helps everyone focus on the issues that actually matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preparation Is Everything<\/h2>\n

If there is one lesson Gard wishes more attorneys would take to heart when approaching mediation, it is the importance of preparation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the biggest mistakes I see is when lawyers treat mediation as something they have to do before they can get a trial date,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you approach it that way, you\u2019re missing the opportunity mediation provides.\u201d<\/p>\n

Effective mediation, he explains, requires the same level of preparation attorneys would bring to trial.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need enough discovery to understand the case. You need to know your expert testimony and your evidence. And you need to prepare the mediator with the information necessary to understand the issues.\u201d<\/p>\n

When that preparation is in place, mediation can produce creative solutions that traditional litigation rarely allows.<\/p>\n

\u201cCourts are limited in what they can order,\u201d Gard says. \u201cBut in mediation, the parties have the freedom to craft solutions that actually work for their business or personal situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Giving Back to the\u00a0Profession<\/h2>\n

Retiring from his litigation practice has provided Gard with the opportunity to give back to the legal profession and to the community.<\/p>\n

For nearly a decade he has worked with the National Association of Attorneys General, helping train assistant attorneys general across the country in trial advocacy and litigation skills.<\/p>\n

The role has taken him to roughly 15 states so far, and he continues to participate in training programs each year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great opportunity to give something back to the profession,\u201d he says. \u201cYoung lawyers are incredibly capable, and they\u2019re eager to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

One lesson he frequently emphasizes is the importance of understanding opposing perspectives.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can put yourself in the other party\u2019s shoes, you become a better advocate,\u201d Gard says. \u201cAnd that ability is just as important in mediation as it is in litigation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Life Beyond the Law<\/h2>\n

Outside the law, Gard maintains a busy and varied life. He serves on the board of directors of the Friends of the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and is active in the Shriners, the well-known philanthropic organization that supports children\u2019s hospitals. At community events and parades, he can often be spotted cruising along in one of the group\u2019s iconic go-carts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of fun,\u201d he says with a laugh. \u201cAnd it supports a wonderful cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

Music is another long-time passion. Gard plays drums in a blues band called Southern Junction, which offers a welcome creative outlet outside the legal profession.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe law can be intense,\u201d he says. \u201cPlaying music is a great way to relax.\u201d<\/p>\n

Family remains central to his life. Gard shares the joy and affection of five children with his lovely, fianc\u00e9e, Debbie Tomlinson in their blended family.\u00a0 Their boisterous, growing family now includes five children and eight grandchildren, several of whom live in Atlanta.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy children are decidedly my greatest accomplishment,\u201d he says with obvious pride. \u201cThey are all kind, generous individuals who are exceptionally smart and very accomplished. These days I try to spend as much time with them as possible. In fact, making time for family was one of the reasons I transitioned into mediation.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Legacy of Perspective<\/h2>\n

After more than 50 years in the legal profession, Gard maintains a healthy sense of humor about longevity.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a while you start noticing that most of the judges are younger than you,\u201d he jokes. \u201cAnd when the bar journal arrives each month, the first thing I do is check the obituary section just to make sure I\u2019m not in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the humor, he remains tremendously grateful for the career and experiences the law has provided.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel incredibly fortunate,\u201d Gard says. \u201cThe law has given me a wonderful career, and mediation allows me to keep contributing in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He often reflects on a quote from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that has come to guide his outlook on both career and community: \u201cWhatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don\u2019t do it just for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Gard, mediation represents exactly that kind of work\u2014helping people move beyond conflict and toward resolution.<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately,\u201d he says, \u201cit\u2019s about helping people find a way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post Steven Gard: From Trial Lawyer to Trusted Neutral<\/a> appeared first on Attorney at Law Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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After more than five decades practicing law, Steven Gard has discovered a professional role that allows him to use everything he learned in the courtroom\u2014without stepping into one. Today, through his Jacksonville-based practice Gard Mediation, LLC, the longtime trial attorney helps lawyers and their clients resolve complex disputes ranging from business conflicts to financial services […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-146976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=146976"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/146976\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=146976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=146976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=146976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}