From Lawyer to Arbitrator, Mediator and Collaborator
After representing parties in court for over 35 years, Bill Blancato decided to heed the advice of Abraham Lincoln and devote his practice to helping parties avoid the uncertainty, wasted time and expense of court. In more than 25 years as a certified mediator and member of the American Arbitration Association’s panels for mediation and arbitration, Bill saw firsthand how arbitration and mediation can resolve disputes more efficiently than protracted litigation. In 2018, Bill learned about collaborative practice where lawyers work together to help clients solve problems and is proud to be a founding member of the North Carolina Civil Collaborative Law Association. It is a privilege to help parties resolve disputes in a respectful, efficient manner.
Extensive Experience
For more than 20 years, Bill Blancato tried cases and represented parties throughout North Carolina in state and federal court and in arbitration in civil rights, premises liability, professional malpractice (medical, accounting, insurance, real estate broker, legal), business disputes, construction defect claims, construction delay claims, trade secret, breach of fiduciary duty, antitrust, unfair and deceptive trade practices, employment, aviation, wrongful death and serious personal injury (for both plaintiffs and defendants), defamation and insurance cases.
For six years beginning in 2007, Bill served as general counsel for a large regional general contractor, prosecuting claims in arbitration and court and handling contract negotiation, employment issues and other general business matters.
Since becoming certified as a mediator in 1992, Bill has mediated several hundred cases and has served as arbitrator for several dozen cases.
Representative Matters
Some of the matters in which Bill Blancato has been a mediator or arbitrator include:
- Construction – defects, delay claims, bond claims, contract and change order disputes
- Business disputes
- Wrongful death and serious personal injury
- Medical malpractice
- Estates and will caveats
- Condemnation
- Employment
- Excessive force claims
- Governmental liability
“Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser in fees, expenses and waste of time.”
Education
- Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina — JD, 1983 (with high honors)
- Queens College, Flushing, New York — BA (cum laude) 1980
- Major: Economics (with honors)
Professional Memberships & Designations
- Admitted to D.C. Bar, 1983 (inactive)
- Admitted to N.C. Bar, 1985
- Admitted to practice in all U.S. District Courts in North Carolina, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- NC Bar Association (Member, Litigation and Construction sections)
- Forsyth County Bar Association
- Private pilot
- AV ® rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1996
Founding Member
Started in 2018
North Carolina Civil Collaborative Law
Excellence in the Practice of Mediation
Inducted in 2015
NC Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Arbitrator and Mediator Panel Member
Since 1992
American Arbitration Association
Certified Mediator
Since 1992
North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission