Bill Ratliff's law practice has been principally in the area of commercial litigation and insurance defense. He now focuses exclusively on alternative dispute resolution, both as a mediator and an arbitrator.

Bill was one of the first attorneys in the state of Alabama to be approved for appellate mediation appointments. Bill is a certified mediator with the American Arbitration Association, and he is on the roster for the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution. He serves as a federal court neutral.

A wide variety of trial experience serves Bill well as a mediator and arbitrator. He has represented individuals, financial institutions, automobile dealerships, manufacturers, construction companies, insurance companies, and other types of corporate clients, as both plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal court. He also has extensive experience representing creditors in workouts and in bankruptcy proceedings under Chapters 7 and 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

• Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, Birmingham, AL, J.D., 1981
• The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, B.S, Corporate Finance, 1978

• Adjunct Professor of Mediation; University of Alabama School of Law
• Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution
• Alabama State Bar
• American Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association
• Christian Legal Society
• Federal Court Neutral

ADR PANELS:

• American Arbitration Association
• EEOC
• FINRA
• National Arbitration Forum
• National Health Lawyers Association

A full day of mediation will be charged a flat rate of $4,000.00 regardless of the number of parties participating in the mediation.  This fee will be applied to all time spent on the mediation including conference calls, review of position statements and submitted materials, as well as conducting the scheduled mediation and preparation of any mediation reports to the Court and subsequent negotiations arising out of the mediation.  The minimum charge for a mediation is for a half day or $2,500.00.

Upon conclusion of the mediation, the parties will be provided a detailed invoice.  Payment will be expected within 30 days of the invoice date.

Security Deposit and Cancellation Policy

A security deposit of $500.00 is required from each party represented by separate counsel to reserve a mediation date.  There will be a $1,500.00 cancellation fee if the mediation is cancelled within seven days of a scheduled mediation.  The cancellation fee will be divided evenly among the parties, unless the parties instruct otherwise, and paid from the deposit.  Any balance remaining will be refunded equally to the parties.