Donald H. Mason, ESQUIRE Mason ADR Solutions, LLC
Certified Civil Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator in
Florida and Tennessee
About Mason ADR Solutions
Meet Don Mason
Retired Judge Donald Mason served as Circuit Court Judge from September 1, 2012, until his retirement on July 1, 2023, after being appointed to the position by then Governor Rick Scott. During his tenure, he presided over cases in Hendry and Glades Counties for two years before transferring to Charlotte County, where he continued to serve until retiring. His judicial responsibilities included overseeing criminal, civil, probate, guardianship, family law, and domestic violence cases, as well as managing mental health and drug court programs.
Mr. Mason's commitment to public service began early in life when he became a police officer in his hometown of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, at the age of twenty. Throughout his law enforcement career, he received numerous accolades, including Officer of the Year, three Exceptional Service Awards, three Meritorious Service awards, and three Lifesaving Awards. Concurrent with his police work, Don pursued higher education, earning an A.S. in Criminal Justice from Cape Cod Community College in 1984, a B.A. in Government from Suffolk University in Boston in 1986, and a J.D. from the New England School of Law in Boston in 1992. Following graduation, he became licensed to practice law in both Florida and Massachusetts, focusing his practice in Massachusetts on civil litigation, corporate and business law, land use/zoning, and maritime law.
In September 2003, Mr. Mason and his wife relocated to Florida, where he joined the Office of the State Attorney in the 16th Judicial Circuit as a prosecutor in Plantation Key. He later moved to the State Attorney's Office in the 20th Judicial Circuit, serving as a felony prosecutor in Charlotte County until January 1, 2008, when he was promoted by State Attorney Steve Russell to head the Charlotte County office. His tenure as a prosecutor culminated in his appointment to the bench by Governor Scott.
Since retiring from the judiciary, Mr. Mason has become certified as a Florida Supreme Court Civil Circuit Mediator and a qualified arbitrator. He has also obtained certification as a General Civil Mediator under Rule 31 of the Tennessee Supreme Court and currently splits his time between both Florida and Tennessee. His extensive background in law enforcement, legal practice, and judicial service provides a strong foundation for his work in alternative dispute resolution. Don is known for his patience, empathy, openness, and fairness, making him a trusted mediator and arbitrator. Clients of Mason ADR Solutions can rely on Don's integrity, impartiality, and commitment to ensuring that all parties' interests and needs are heard and understood, facilitating mutually acceptable agreements free from coercion, improper influence, and conflicts of interest.
Our Mission
At Mason ADR Solutions, our primary mission is to facilitate voluntary solutions for legal disputes by encouraging meaningful dialogue between the involved parties. Our mediation sessions are carefully designed to explore the needs and interests of each party, ensuring fairness, procedural flexibility, and confidentiality while preserving their right to self-determination.
During mediation, decisions are made directly by the parties themselves, rather than by the mediator. The mediator’s role is to assist the parties in reaching an informed and voluntary decision, safeguarding their autonomy.
When parties seek a resolution through an unbiased, neutral third party, arbitration can be a valuable option. Here’s what you need to know:
- We offer efficient, cost-effective, and impartial dispute resolution through the arbitration process. If you’re navigating a business or legal dispute, we can help you find a fair and expeditious resolution.
- Our goal is to provide a better way for attorneys and their clients to resolve disagreements. When parties seek a resolution through an unbiased, neutral third party, arbitration provides a valuable, cost effective and time saving option.
Services Offered
Mediation: Is indeed a valuable process. It involves a neutral third party who helps guide the resolution of a dispute without imposing a specific outcome. The mediator’s role is multifaceted:
- Promoting Communication: The mediator works to break down barriers, allowing open and honest dialogue between the parties involved.
- Issue Identification: By assisting in identifying key issues, the mediator ensures that all relevant aspects of the dispute are considered.
- Exploring Alternatives: Mediators encourage creative problem-solving, exploring various solutions beyond the obvious.
- Voluntary Agreements: Ultimately, the goal is to facilitate voluntary agreements that lead to the resolution of the dispute.
Arbitration: Serves as less expensive and faster alternative dispute resolution method than traditional litigation. Here’s how it works:
- Impartial Third Party: The parties select an unbiased third party (the arbitrator) to hear their case.
- Presentation of Evidence: Similar to a courtroom hearing, both sides present their testimony and evidence.
- Decision-Making: The arbitrator evaluates the information and makes a decision.
- Binding or Non-Binding: Arbitration can be either binding (where the decision is legally enforceable) or non-binding (where the decision is advisory and not legally binding).
It’s a way to resolve disputes outside the formal court system, offering cost effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency.
Hybrid Mediation-Arbitration: Offers parties a chance to explore voluntary resolution of their dispute. When an agreement remains elusive, the process allows for additional time to submit evidence and case briefs. The mediator then transitions into the role of a decision maker1. It’s a dynamic blend that encourages cooperation while maintaining a pathway to a binding resolution.