EDUCATION
J.D., John F. Kennedy University School of Law, Walnut Creek, California. (1998) Class Rank: 12. Editor-in-Chief: John F. Kennedy University Law Review.
M.B.A., Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California. (1987) Emphasis: Information Systems/Computer Science.
B.S., University of California, Davis (1975). Environmental Planning and Management (Urban & Regional Planning). Appointed to Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics (3 years), Chaired Sub-Committee. UCD Marching Band (2 years), Assistant Manager.
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ADR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Practiced mediation and arbitration since 2001, initially as an advocate and later as a mediator and mediation training supervisor.
Mediation Panel Member: Superior Court, Contra Costa County, ADR Panel
Board Member and Mediation Supervisor, The Congress of Neutrals, Inc., 2003 to Present. The Congress of Neutrals provides pro bono meditation services for the Court, and mediation training and mentoring for new mediators.
ADR/Mediation Panel Member:
California Court of Appeal, First Appellant District
California Court of Appeal, Third Appellant District
California Superior Court, Contra Costa County
Training in Mediation and Arbitration (Over 112 hours):
Appellate Mediation, Richard Birke and Dana Curtis, Trainers.
Steven Rosenberg Mediation Training.
Congress of Neutrals, Thomas Cain, Trainer.
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TEACHING
John F. Kennedy University, School of Management, Pleasant Hill, CA, Adjunct Professor, 2006 to Present. Class: Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA. Instructor, 1988 to 1989. Class: Computer Science 100: Introduction to Computers and Data Processing.
Chevron Corporation, Guest Instructor, Class: Beginning & Intermediate WordPerfect.
State of California Community Colleges: Instructor's Credential - Issued 1988
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BAR MEMBERSHIPS
California Bar No. 215 483
U. S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Contra Costa Bar Association
ADR Section of the Contra Costa Bar Association
Solo Practice Section of the Contra Costa Bar Association
Bar Association of San Francisco
Barrister Club of San Francisco
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
John F. Kennedy University, School of Management, Pleasant Hill, CA. Adjunct Professor, 2006 to Present. Class: Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Member of the Executive Committee and Professional Development Subcommittee of the Faculty Senate.
The Congress of Neutrals, Inc. Board Member and Mediation Supervisor, 2003 to Present. The Congress provides pro bono meditation services for the Court and mediation training. Mr. Strongman provides mentoring to new mediators in association with the Superior Court, Contra Costa County.
Bardellini, Straw & Cavin, LLP, San Ramon, California. Attorney Associate. 2002 to 2004. Practice areas: Litigation, Title Insurance, Escrow, Business, Business Formation, Real Property, Real Estate Law, Construction Defects, Bad Faith, Transactions, Closings, Broker Issues, Real Property Disclosures.
Legal services provided to other law firms and companies on a contract basis: Shapiro, Buchman, Provine & Patton [Litigation Preparation]. Law Offices of Thomas W. Cain [Research]. McCutchen [Litigation Preparation]. California State Automobile Association [Intellectual Property Contracts. Analyzed and negotiated complex software license agreements to increase CSAA’s knowledge base of mission critical contracts. Managed consultant agreements to meet executive technology requirements]. Napster.com, Inc. [Compliance with copyright infringement suit].
San Francisco District Attorney's Office, San Francisco, California. Certified Law Student. Successfully prosecuted felony preliminary hearings. Drafted and argued motions. Participated in settlement conferences. Jury trial preparation.
Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California. Senior Systems Analyst. Supervised the activities of six professionals. Analyzed and evaluated new system products by creating requirement matrixes, developing and implementing a test plan, and recommending the results to management. Developed operator certification program designed to standardize system for promoting qualified employees. Plan implemented by management in two data centers. Led the Disaster Recovery team through quarterly exercises. Negotiated the purchase of system software products and administered their installation in four data centers. Represented Chevron at user group conferences.
Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA. Instructor, 1988 to 1989. Class: Computer Science 100: Introduction to Computers and Data Processing.
Realtor, Walnut Creek, CA 1976 to 1980.
City of Concord, Concord. CA. Planning Intern. 1975 to 1976. Drafted Environmental Impact Reports.
Pine Cove Conference Grounds, Tyler, Texas, 1975. Camp Counselor.
Monte Sion, Lake Amatitlan, Guatemala, 1971. Camp Staff.
Other Job Experiences During College: Painter, Assembly-line worker, Security Guard, Appliance Delivery Person, Office Worker, Carpenter, Custodian.
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HONORS, MEMBERSHIPS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Legal Activities
Congress of Neutrals, Board Member. The Congress provides Pro Bono meditation services and training.
John F. Kennedy University:
Paralegal Advisory Board, Board Member
Faculty Senate Executive Committee
Professional Development Subcommittee of Faculty
Robert G. McGrath American Inns of Court. Associate in Justice Douglas Swager’s Pupilage Group.
Contra Costa Bar Association.
Barrister Club of San Francisco of the San Francisco Bar Association.
Youth Work
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troops 810 and 221, Mt. Diablo Silverado Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 1995 to Present.
Assistant Scoutmaster, National Youth Leader Training, Mt. Diablo Silverado Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 2005 to Present.
Committee Member, BSA Jamboree 2005 Organizing Committee for the Mt. Diablo Silverado Council of the BSA. 2003 to 2005.
Member of the Board, Sequoia Elementary School Parent Association (SPA). 2002 to 2004.
President, Falcon Band Boosters of College Park High School. 2000 to 2001.
Assistant Soccer Coach, Walnut Creek Soccer Club. 1993.
Webelo Den Leader and Pack Committee Member, Cub Scout Pack 210, Mt. Diablo Silverado Council of the Boy Scouts of America. 1993 to 1995.
Adult Leader, High School Program, Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church. 1976 to 1977.
Alumni Activities
President, Contra Costa Chapter of the Cal Aggie Alumni Assoc. (UCD). 1991 to 1995.
Board Member, UC Davis Alumni State Scholarship Committee. 1991 to 1995
Chair of the Contra Costa Scholarship Awards Committee. 1986 to 2001.
Other Committee Service
Appointed by Walnut Creek's City Council to:
Interstate 680/24 Construction Oversight Committee, Vice-Chair. 1989 to 1998.
Year 2000 Goal Setting Committee. 1987 to 1988.
Development projects:
Amatitlan, Guatemala. 1971.
Silver Spruce Summer Camp, California. 1974.
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PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Married to Melissa B. Strongman (Smith) for twenty-five years. Three sons: Michael is a Graduate Student at Michigan State University; Kevin and Kyle, twins, are students at College Park High School.
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