After years of hard-fought litigation battles, Jeremy Seeley noticed that too many clients were not getting the outcomes they really needed. When they won their trials, they were glad for the win but disenchanted with the slow-moving process and the bank-busting expense of getting to a verdict. When cases settled before trial, he noticed too many people wondered if they got the best deal or did the right thing in compromising.
Jeremy started studying negotiation and mediation to find a way to guide his clients to a better outcome, or at least to confidence in the outcome they chose. This pursuit of a better way led to his mediation and arbitration practice.
As a mediator, Jeremy’s mediation and negotiation philosophy is grounded in practical experience and in formal training from Harvard’s Program on Negotiation where he completed the Mediating Disputes program. He works collaboratively with attorneys and clients in a hopeful process to craft creative solutions that allow both sides to leave the mediation more satisfied and, hopefully, confident in their decision to control their own outcome.
He recognizes that no single mediation approach can fit every case, so Jeremy fits negotiation tools to the specific needs of the matter at hand. He recognizes a role for hard bargaining, vigorous debate, and empathetic listening, and he encourages good faith negotiation tactics.
As a mediator, Jeremy most enjoys cases in the following areas, but has the knowledge and judgment to tackle other matters:
- Business Disputes
- Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith
- Personal Injury
- Property Damage
- Estate Disputes
- HOA Disputes
- Professional Liability
- Construction Defects
- Breach of Contract
- Appeals
- Landlord/Tenant Disputes
- Insurance Subrogration and Pay-and-Chase
As an attorney, Jeremy has successfully litigated and tried significant cases as counsel for plaintiffs and defendants, giving him insight into the unique pressures and opportunities of both sides. His litigation practice includes catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, large-loss subrogation actions, insurance bad faith and coverage claims, HOA disputes, municipal defense claims, professional liability claims, construction defect cases, and contract disputes. He has also successfully briefed and argued appellate cases in both state and federal courts.
While he views his litigation experience as a helpful foundation for evaluating disputes, Jeremy has learned that parties taking ownership of their own disputes—and of their mediation—is the most likely path to a satisfactory—or even a happy—settlement.
Jeremy also serves as a solo arbitrator and has served on a number of arbitrator panels.
Jeremy has been recognized repeatedly for his litigation practice in Super Lawyers and Utah Business Magazine, but his real pride is in gratitude from his clients after guiding them to positive resolutions.
As much as Jeremy loves his work, he prefers hiking, sailing, reading, good food, and spending time with family and friends. He regularly volunteers in his community and serves on the board of directors for the New Horizons Maritime Center, a non-profit dedicated to using traditional maritime activities to improve the lives of young people.
His is a proud graduate of Utah State University and the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU.
Finally, Jeremy strives to create an atmosphere of safety, tolerance, and inclusion in all his work and leisure.