Joseph Farina

Hon. Joseph P. Farina (Ret.)

Miami Commercial, Business & Complex Civil Mediator | Retired Chief Judge | Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator & Qualified Arbitrator

Serving Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe County and Statewide Florida in Commercial Litigation, Business Disputes, Insurance, Personal Injury, Professional Liability, Employment, Real Estate & Complex Civil Matters

Professional Overview

The Honorable Joseph P. Farina (Ret.) is a Miami-based mediator and arbitrator with more than three decades of judicial experience resolving complex civil disputes. A retired Chief Judge of Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Judge Farina served on the bench from 1979 through 2012, including fourteen years as Chief Judge of one of the nation's largest trial court systems.

Since joining JAMS in 2012, Judge Farina has devoted his practice to mediation, arbitration, special magistrate appointments, neutral evaluation, and other forms of complex dispute resolution.

During his judicial career, he presided over approximately 3,500 complex civil cases, including nationally significant asbestos and Chinese drywall litigation. His experience encompasses commercial and business litigation, insurance disputes, personal injury and wrongful death, professional liability, employment, construction, real estate, class actions, mass torts, and financial litigation.

Judge Farina has been recognized by the Dade County Bar Association for his work in alternative dispute resolution, including its Legal Luminary Award for Best Mediator and Circle of Excellence recognition for ADR.

Mediation Approach

Judge Farina believes effective mediation begins with careful preparation, a thorough understanding of the legal and factual issues, and a practical appreciation of litigation risk.

Drawing upon decades of judicial experience, he works with counsel and parties to evaluate strengths and weaknesses, narrow contested issues, identify obstacles to settlement, and explore practical resolution opportunities.

His judicial background is particularly relevant in sophisticated, high-value and multi-party disputes where the parties and counsel may benefit from a neutral experienced in evaluating complex legal issues and managing difficult litigation.

Arbitration Approach

Judge Farina brings more than 30 years of trial-court experience to arbitration.

He emphasizes preparation and active case management throughout the proceeding, including preliminary conferences, discovery disputes, substantive motions, status conferences and final hearings. Party submissions are reviewed in advance of scheduled proceedings to promote an informed and efficient arbitration process.

His approach emphasizes three principles: **Prepared. Professional. Proficient. **

Judicial Leadership

Judge Farina served as a Judge of Florida's Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1979 through 2012 and as Chief Judge from 1995 through 2009.

As Chief Judge, he supervised:

• 123 judges
• 15 general magistrates
• 20 traffic hearing officers
• More than 500 court employees
• Ten courthouse facilities throughout Miami-Dade County

His judicial leadership also included service on Florida Supreme Court committees addressing judicial administration, strategic planning, ethics, budgeting and court governance.

Complex Civil & Commercial Experience

Judge Farina has mediated, arbitrated or presided over thousands of civil disputes involving matters such as: