ABOUT PETER BLANC
I am a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit mediator and retired circuit court judge with 28+ years of judicial experience and four decades of legal experience. I graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 1978 and worked first as an assistant public defender for three years and then in private practice for nine years before becoming a judge in 1990.
I served as Chief Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit from 2009-2013. I was responsible for the overall operation of our local trial courts and worked closely with the 53 other trial judges serving Palm Beach County and the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. During my term as Chief, we were the recipient of three separate Davis Productivity Awards presented by Florida TaxWatch recognizing efficiency in court operations. In 2010, I worked to establish the Palm Beach County Veterans’ Court which continues to provide rehabilitation options to felony and misdemeanor veteran defendants.
I was consistently rated as one of the top judges in the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s judicial polls from 1990 until my retirement in December 2018. I am also a long time faculty member for the Florida Judicial College and the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies.
My experience as a trial judge has led me to conclude that those who rely upon a jury verdict to bring finality and resolution to their legal disputes are often left confused, disappointed or both. For that reason I am now combining my experience and passion for people to help mediate legal disputes and work toward best possible outcomes.
RECOGNITION
Florida Judicial College Award for Teaching Excellence, 2019
American Board of Trial Advocates, Palm Beach County Chapter:
Jurist of the Year, 2018 and 2013
President's Award, 2011
Chair of Florida Conference of Circuit Judges, 2009-2010
Palm Beach County Bar Association North County Jurist of the Year, 2005
Palm Beach County Bar Association Professionalism Award, 2004
Friend of Law Related Education Award, 2002
South Palm Beach County Bar Association Distinguished Jurist Award, 2000
President of the Craig S. Barnard American Inn of Court, 1996-97
Mediation Services
MEDIATING ALL CIVIL DISPUTES
$550 per-hour for two party mediations
$600 per-hour for three party mediations
$650 per hour for four party mediations
Inquire for mediation rates involving five or more parties.
Hosting mediations via Zoom
MEDIATION PHILOSOPHY
You should expect that as your mediator I will prepare in advance for the session with a review of the court file and mediation summaries. I will offer a separate pre-mediation discussion with counsel for each side to ensure that I understand the factual and/or legal issues that you believe are compelling.
At the mediation session you should expect a candid, practical analysis that will enable a fully informed decision-making process. I will bring to bear 40 years of legal experience, including over 28 years of judicial experience, to assist you and your clients in your own analysis of the dispute and consideration of your options. The session shall be respectful at all times but will be intended to allow each side to better understand the other’s perspective and position. Better understanding will lead to better decision making.
The ultimate goal is to fully resolve your dispute on terms acceptable to all. I will not stop my efforts to help you achieve this goal even if it does not occur by the end of our session. I never schedule more than one mediation per day. If additional mediation time is anticipated, additional time may be reserved. Circumstances may or may not change but either way I will continue working post session on behalf of the parties for as long as it takes to explore and discuss every possible opportunity for resolution.
Schedule a mediation
Contact Blanc Mediation by e-mail or phone (561-627-3612) to request a specific date or a range of dates. You will receive a response within 24 hours with available dates for your consideration.
Once you confirm a specific available date that works for all parties/counsel, please forward the following information to juliana@blancmediation.com: complete case name, case number, participating attorneys’ names, email addresses and location of mediation. Blanc Mediation will then file a notice of mediation with a copy to all participating counsel.
An engagement letter specifying the terms of our agreement will also be forwarded. I encourage the submission of case summaries by e-mail at least 72 hours prior to mediation. Per Covid-19 guidelines, we are currently hosting mediations online via Zoom. A demonstration can be provided upon request prior to a scheduled mediation. If an in-person mediation is preferred, please inquire.