Bridging the Gap to Resolve Your Cases
Welcome to Expert Legal
Mediation
The mission and goal of Advocate Mediation is to help the parties and their attorneys “bridge the gap” to resolve their cases. Equality and Neutrality are the foundational pillars of Advocate Mediation. By these principles we are guided to act with wisdom, understanding, sound judgment and discretion.
Wisdom shows no favoritism and is always sincere. We intentionally listen and learn all facets of each party’s claim and defense to gain a clear understanding of the issues at stake. This process promotes sound judgment of the controversy and provides a framework to assist the parties achieve a mutually agreed to settlement. Discretion ensures that confidences are kept confidential.
Thomas L. Vitu, Esq. Mediator/Facilitator
tvitu@advocatemediation.com
248-840-4413
Case Experience
Catastrophic Personal Injury/ Wrongful Death
Fire Loss/ Burn Injuries
Commercial Contracts/Supply Agreements
Product Liability/ Consumer Appliances
Industrial & Worksite Accidents
FDA/ Medical Device
Medical/Dental/Nursing Home Malpractice
Automobile Liability: PIP, Provider and Third-Party actions
Premises Liability
Property Damage/Subrogation
Real Estate Transactions/ HOA Disputes
Insurance Coverage, defense and indemnity
Recreational Injury; skiing, water sports
Employment/ Wrongful Discharge
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Served 21 years as National Counsel for a global appliance manufacturer
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Handled claims and litigation throughout the U.S. and Canada
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Managed 2 product lines of electric consumer products, including FDA/Class II medical devices
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Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated: Preeminent, Distinguished and Notable
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Pro hac vice admissions for practice within 42 State or Federal Courts
Thomas L. Vitu Curriculum Vitae
Thomas L. Vitu, Esq. Mediator/Facilitator
248-840-4413
Education
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J.D., Cum Laude, Western Michigan University-Thomas M. Cooley Law School (1986)
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B.A., Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI (1983)
Court Admissions
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State Bar of Michigan (1986)
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State Bar of Ohio (1998)
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U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
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U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
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U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
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Pro hac vice admissions to practice within the State or Federal Courts of the following jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin
Legal Employment & Experience
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Advocate Mediation, LLC, Founder, Fulltime Neutral, (2020 to present)
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Moffett, Vitu, Lascoe, Packus & Sims, PC, Birmingham, MI (1995-2020)
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Kaufman, Payton & Chapa, Farmington Hills, MI (1990 -1995)
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Schwartz & Jalkanen PC, Southfield, MI (1986-1989)
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Served 21 years as National Counsel for a global appliance manufacturer
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Handled claims and litigation throughout the U.S. and Canada
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For 2 product lines of electric consumer products, including FDA/Class II medical devices
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Lists and Rosters as Approved Mediator/Case Evaluator
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Oakland County Circuit Court
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Listed Approved Civil Mediator
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Listed Approved Case Evaluator: Special Panel Product Liability Neutral
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Oakland County District Courts
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Listed Approved Case Evaluator
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Oakland Mediation Center, Bloomfield Hills, MI
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Approved Roster of Volunteer Mediators
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2021 President's Volunteer Service Award recipient
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Macomb County Circuit Court
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Listed Approved Civil Mediator
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Listed Approved Case Evaluator; Personal Injury and Product Liability neutral
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The Resolution Center, Mt. Clemens, M
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Approved Roster of Volunteer Mediators
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Genesee County Circuit Court
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Listed Approved Civil Mediator
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Professional Affiliations
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Michigan Bar Association
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Member
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Oakland County Bar Association
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee Member
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ADR Committee Chair 2022/2023
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ADR Committee Vice Chair 2021/2022
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Oakland Mediation Center, Bloomfield Hills, MI
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Executive Board of Trustees member (2022- present)
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Mediation Training
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Oakland Mediation Center, Bloomfield Hills, MI
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General Civil Mediation Training, 40-Hours, SCAO Approved
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Practical Mediation Experience Completed
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- Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office
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Court roster qualified for General Civil Mediation
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Fees:
Mediation
Facilitation
Arbitration
All charges will be shared equally among all parties, unless otherwise agreed in writing at the time of the mediation/facilitation or awarded by the arbitrator.
Fees are the same for all services: in-session mediation, facilitation or arbitration hearings, time spent on document review, research, written findings of fact/law, post-session continued mediation work (often conducted telephonically or electronically), and other outside time, if any, necessary to prepare or make an informed award or evaluation.
The mediator's fee shall be paid no later than (a) 42 days after the mediation process is concluded, or (b) the entry of judgment, or (c) the dismissal of the action, whichever occurs first. See MCR 2.411(d).
Consistent with local court rules1, the attorney or law firm representing a party participating in ADR is directly responsible for fees payable to the mediator or arbitrator.
Testimonials and Recommendations for Thomas L. Vitu/Advocate Mediation
Tom was with our law firm for over 25 years. He’s one of the finest lawyers I’ve ever met.
Working as a National Counsel, Tom handled a stressful and difficult job with tremendous grace. He’s a hard worker and brilliant writer. He can be tough when he has to and gentle when he needs to—which is a fantastic attribute.
He is an exceptional mediator and I fully endorse and recommend his services.
-- Stephen T. Moffett, Esq.
Moffett Vitu Lascoe Packus & Sims, PC, Birmingham, MI
For many years, I was the opposing plaintiff’s counsel on several product liability cases that Tom handled. He is a highly skilled litigator who was always prepared and knew his case inside and out. In addition, Tom was without exception kind, courteous and respectful in his practice, whether deposing my clients or experts or presenting his case in court.
His ethics are beyond reproach. He is a model of civility in our profession.
Tom’s rare combination of grit and tact, mixed with compassion, but a realistic view of the risks and benefits of litigation to both sides of a dispute, are assets that assist him well in resolving cases as a mediator.
-- George E. McLaughlin, Esq.
McLaughlin Law Firm, P.C., Denver, Colorado
Tom has been my friend, mentor and guide as I embarked on my journey to become a lawyer. When I was thinking about a career in law, he was there to offer his perspective and help on the LSAT, law school admission process, resumes and recommendation on my character and fitness to the State Bar of Michigan. He is a man of abiding faith, high character and integrity.
-- Adel Nucho, Esq.
Collins Einhorn Farrell, Southfield MI
I worked with Tom for over 20 years when he did the National Counsel work for Sunbeam on consumer electric and Class II medical device products. Not only is he an outstanding lawyer and advocate, but he is gifted with the ability to quickly grasp and learn intricate technical aspects of product design, manufacturing and safety standard compliance.
These qualities serve him well in mediating complex product liability matters.
-- Richard J. Prins,
Sr. Dir. Product Safety Engineer, Sunbeam Products, Inc., Hattiesburg, MS
I worked with Tom for several years as a consulting electrical engineer on the product liability litigation he handled while serving in his National Counsel role. He is very detail oriented and hands-on in his approach; from actively assisting the investigators in processing fire scenes, collecting artifacts to participating in forensic laboratory exams. He knew his cases from the ground up by rolling up his sleeves and doing the “dirty work”.
What sets Tom apart is his keen ability and insight to piece together the “big picture” from knowing all the parts.
-- Scott Wright,PhD,
Principal Engineer, Exponent, Menlo Park, CA
Contact
Advocate Mediation
ADDRESS
To schedule your mediation or arbitration, please submit the following contact form.
Limited Time Website Special: The initiating attorney to contact Advocate Mediation through this website will receive a 10% credit off of their portion of the mediation fee. One fee credit available per case goes to the attorney that first contacts Advocate Mediation to schedule mediation/facilitation. One initiating fee credit per attorney.
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