Discover Our Journey
About SMS Dispute Resolution
Learn about our history, the expertise of our founding attorneys, and the mission that drives us to provide innovative mediation solutions.
Our Story
Tech-Focused, Client-Centered.
From routine tort and contract cases to complex litigation, class actions, governmental relations, family law, and beyond, our seasoned litigators and retired jurists offer dispute resolution services from A to Z. Basic mediations work for some cases, but we understand that the “cookie cutter” approach does not meet the needs of every case. Unique and carefully tailored approaches can best serve the parties and lawyers with complex matters. From the outset of your matter, we work to achieve the most efficient and effective approach to each matter. By conferencing with counsel, we help formulate a concise and detailed discovery schedule; help avoid unnecessary costs and delays; assist in managing client expectations and provide objective analysis that steers the matter to resolution. Our panel includes seasoned litigators and retired judges with a wide array of backgrounds experiences.
Disputes Mediated
%
100 Day Success Rate
Year Founded
Our Mission
Innovative Mediation Solutions
At SMS Dispute Resolution, our mission is to revolutionize the mediation process through innovative solutions that prioritize fairness and efficiency. We are dedicated to providing a platform where both parties can reach amicable agreements, ensuring that every dispute is resolved with the utmost integrity and professionalism.
We believe in the power of mediation to transform conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and a client-centered approach, we strive to deliver outcomes that are not only satisfactory but also sustainable for all involved parties.
Our Core Values
Client-Centered Approach and Dedication
At the heart of SMS Dispute Resolution are our core values that guide every aspect of our practice. We are committed to a client-centered approach, ensuring that the needs and interests of our clients are always at the forefront of our efforts. Our dedication to finding mutually beneficial solutions drives us to go above and beyond in every case we handle.
We value transparency, integrity, and respect in all our interactions. Our team works tirelessly to create an environment where open communication and trust are paramount, allowing us to effectively mediate even the most complex disputes. We believe that by fostering a collaborative atmosphere, we can achieve outcomes that are fair and just for all parties involved.
Meet Our Team
Our team at SMS Dispute Resolution is composed of highly skilled professionals who are passionate about mediation and dedicated to helping our clients achieve the best possible outcomes. Each member brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the table, ensuring that we can handle a wide range of disputes with expertise and care.
Jonathan Pedersen
Jonathan has mediated over 1,000 cases, drawing on his multi-faceted experience in mass tort, toxic tort, aviation disasters, catastrophic injury, medical malpractice and professional ethics matters. He currently serves as a special master for the 24th JDC for all property damage cases related to Hurricane Ida, where he and his colleagues at SMS Dispute Resolution have closed over 4,000 cases with a 97% success rate. Jonathan prides himself on straightforward communication and his unvarnished style produces successful, realistic outcomes.
Jonathan’s extensive trial practice has led to multiple steering committee appointments in state and federal courts as lead trial and liaison counsel, as well as service as a liquidator. Jonathan also represents lawyers and judges facing allegations of professional misconduct and applicants in bar admission proceedings. He has built a winning trial practice and has represented clients throughout Louisiana District Courts, Appellate Courts and the Louisiana Supreme Court. Jonathan maintains an active practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Louisiana and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.
Outside of the courtroom, Jonathan serves as a Board Member of the Louisiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, and he is the Co-Chair of the LSBA Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He served as an adjunct professor at the University of Holy Cross where he taught Law, Ethics & Policy in Healthcare Administration at the graduate and undergraduate levels for five years. Jonathan’s professional associations include the Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals (Fellow), LSBA, New Orleans Bar Association,
Jefferson Bar Association.
Jonathan graduated from Millsaps College in 2004 (B.S., Political Science) and earned his J.D. from Loyola New Orleans College of Law in 2007, where he was a member of the Spring National Moot Court Competition Team and was a Moot Court Teachers Assistant.
Jonathan hosts mediations virtually, and in-person at his New Orleans and Covington offices.
531 Julia Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
516 N. Columbia Street
Covington, LA 70433
Don Massey
Don mediates all types of civil mediation cases. He has mediated over 1,000 cases, and has extensive experience helping resolve complex litigation, mass tort, products liability, toxic tort, and commercial, insurance matters. He currently serves as a special master for the 24th JDC for all property damage cases related to Hurricane Ida, where he and his colleagues at SMS Dispute Resolution have closed over 3,000 cases with a 97% success rate. Don has a broad base of litigation and transactional experience on all sides of cases and transactions, including service as a special master, arbitrator and liquidator. Don has tried well over 100 civil cases, mainly as lead trial counsel. Along with his colleagues at Special Master Services, Don’s proactive approach to civil litigation has been well accepted and yields exceptionally high resolution rates.
Blair Constant
Blair practices in both commercial and general litigation, as well as consulting his clients on navigating the levels of state and local government on a variety of issues. He has mediated over 1,000 cases, and he has experience resolving complex litigation, mass tort, commercial/corporate, insurance, premise liability, and personal injury. Prior to his civil litigation, Blair prosecuted major felonies in Jefferson Parish and gained substantial jury trial experience. Blair has a proactive and collaborative approach to civil litigation and dispute resolution that has yielded positive results for his clients and high success rates. He has served as a liquidator and currently serves as a special master for the 24th JDC for all property damage cases related to Hurricane Ida, where he and his colleagues at SMS Dispute Resolution have closed over 3,000 cases with a 97% success rate.
Lacy M. Smith
Ms. Smith leverages nearly fifteen years of private practice and over 250 hours of mediation and alternative dispute resolution training to provide a creative, practical, and compassionate approach to mediation.
She has successfully mediated countless hurricane disputes and custody, child support, spousal support, and community property disputes. She recently served as a Deputy Special Master in the 24th JDC overseeing insurance disputes in connection with
Hurricane Ida.
She maintains a private divorce and family law practice at the Law Office of Lacy M. Smith, LLC. She was born and raised in
New Orleans and currently lives in Mid-City with her husband and two daughters.
Ready to Resolve Your Dispute?
Contact us today to learn more about our innovative mediation solutions or to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. Let SMS Dispute Resolution help you find a win-win outcome.
