Why early structure helps lawyers stay in control of a case

Felicia has seen how slowly legal teams adopt new processes, even when those processes can make their work more efficient, predictable and attractive to clients. She positions EDR as a way for lawyers to get to the heart of a dispute earlier-by clarifying issues, decision authority, and key information long before the usual milestones. With decades of commercial litigation experience behind her, she explains how early structure helps counsel evaluate and manage risk, maintain control over strategy, and avoid the long stretches of uncertainty that come with waiting for a trial setting that may never arrive. For lawyers, EDR isn’t about doing less-it’s about doing the right work sooner and winning clients along the way.

About Felicia Harris Hoss

Felicia Harris Hoss, podcast guest

Distinguished Commercial Mediator and AAA Arbitrator, Advancing Early Dispute Resolution in Complex Business Matters

27+ years Commercial dispute-resolution experienceResolution 500 Co-drafted unanimously adopted ABA EDR policy#1 South Texas College of Law class rankFellow Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

With nearly three decades in commercial litigation, Felicia Harris Hoss knows first hand that: fewer than one percent of cases go to trial, yet companies spend enormous time and resources preparing for battles that likely will never happen. That insight is at the core of her work today as a mediator, arbitrator, and leading advocate for Early Dispute Resolution (EDR).

Felicia helps parties step back from reflexive litigation and make informed, strategic decisions earlier in the life of a dispute. EDR, which she helped elevate nationally by authoring the report supporting ABA Resolution 500—adopted unanimously in 2024—offers a structured path to clarity long before discovery costs and entrenched positions take over. Her work blends disciplined case analysis with practical dialogue, helping businesses and counsel evaluate and understand risk and opportunity without sacrificing leverage.

Her credibility is built on deep experience. Felicia is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and serves on the American Arbitration Association’s national rosters for both mediation and arbitration. She has been recognized by her peers among the Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers for her excellence in ADR and commercial litigation. That background allows her to move fluidly between legal complexity, commercial realities, and the human dynamics that inevitably shape decision-making.

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Navigating Disputes: How to Resolve Conflicts Efficiently and Effectively with Felicia Harris Hoss
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