"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser - in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, "Notes for a Law Lecture," 81 (1953-1955)

"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace…."
Romans 14:19(KJV)

The abstract concept of mediation or alternative dispute resolution is not something new. It has been around for centuries. But, in Texas, the dispute resolution process has certainly evolved over the last thirty years. At Orgain, Bell & Tucker, we value the importance of mediation to our legal system and have attorneys who have specialized training in this field.

Michael J. Truncale

Michael has been a certified mediator for 13 years. He has provided mediation and arbitration services in hundreds of different matters. Michael is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer with practical experience in personal injury, toxic tort, and environmental cases, as well as commercial litigation. He is Board Certified in the field of Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has an active trial practice in state and federal courts throughout Texas, including the Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas. Michael serves on the Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee for Negligence, Products Liability and Medical Malpractice Cases.

Michael is well respected by the plaintiff and the defense bar, as well as the judges where he practices, and he actively participates in various legal related activities. He currently serves as the President of the Jefferson County Bar Association, and previously served as President of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association and Director of the Jefferson County Bar Association. Michael is a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute, American Inns of Court, American Bar Association, and a fellow in the Texas Bar Foundation. In addition, he is actively involved in numerous civic and church activities.

Leanne Johnson

Leanne Johnson her certification as a mediator in 2004, attending the University of Houston A.A. White Dispute Resolution Mediation Training. Before the 40 Hour Basic Training credentialing requirements were passed in the 1990's, Leanne also attended mediation training sponsored by the Jefferson County Dispute Resolution Center. And, she has volunteered her time over the past several years as a mediator for all types of cases pending in Jefferson County Courts that have been submitted on Settlement Week Dockets. She is Board Certified in the field of Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and has an active trial practice in state and federal courts throughout Southeast and East Texas, and she has over fifteen years of practical experience in trial and appellate litigation.

Leanne is a Life Member of the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the College of the State Bar, and a member of the Michelle F. Mehaffy America Inn of Court. She has served as a past director and officer for the Jefferson County Young Lawyers, and the Jefferson County Bar Association. She is admitted to practice law in both Arkansas (1986) and Texas (1987).

Members of the Mediation, Arbitration Group:
Michael J. Truncale
Leanne Johnson

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