Effective Preparation for Mediation and Arbitration Preliminary Hearings: Perspectives of Neutrals and Parties

Angela Romero-Valedon, Esq.

Angela Romero-Valedón, Esq. joined the American Arbitration Association in 2016 as Director of ADR Services.  She has been the Commercial Vice President of the Miami Regional office since November 2022.  She oversees the Southeast Region comprising of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands’ commercial division. In her role, she is responsible for regional outreach and advancing the use of ADR services. She is a Florida licensed attorney and a former Florida Supreme Court certified circuit court mediator.

I can’t replace this pic for some reason

Herbert H. (Hal) Gray, III, Esq.

Herbert H. (Hal) Gray III is a highly respected construction arbitrator and mediator based in Atlanta, Georgia, with over 35 years of experience resolving complex construction, commercial, and real estate disputes. A Fellow and past president of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, Hal has served on panels for the American Arbitration Association, ICDR, and CPR. He has handled a wide range of disputes involving owners, contractors, design professionals, and sureties across diverse projects, including hospitals, infrastructure, and high-rise developments. A graduate of Emory University School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he is also a frequent lecturer and writer in the field and was honored with the Justice Harold G. Clarke Award by the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution in 2020.

Taylor Daly is a seasoned commercial and construction arbitrator based in Atlanta, with a strong background in resolving complex business disputes. A former partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Daly has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for her work in mediation and has contributed to thought leadership through panels with the Atlanta Bar Association. She brings deep experience in commercial matters involving contract, real estate, and development disputes, while also handling sophisticated construction cases. Known for her clear judgment and practical approach, Daly is a trusted neutral in high-stakes commercial arbitration.

Taylor Daly, Esq.

Taylor Daly is a seasoned commercial and construction arbitrator based in Atlanta, with a strong background in resolving complex business disputes. A former partner at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Daly has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for her work in mediation and has contributed to thought leadership through panels with the Atlanta Bar Association. She brings deep experience in commercial matters involving contract, real estate, and development disputes, while also handling sophisticated construction cases. Known for her clear judgment and practical approach, Daly is a trusted neutral in high-stakes commercial arbitration.

Iman Hyder-Eliz

Iman Hyder-Eliz is the Regional Vice President for the Construction Division covering the Southeast and Midwest regions. She joined the American Arbitration Association in 2017 as a Director of ADR Services for the AAA’s Commercial Division and joined the Construction Division in 2023 as a Vice President. Iman is primarily responsible for administering Large Complex Cases, Panel Recruitment, Outreach and Education Initiatives both internally and externally at the AAA. Prior to joining the AAA she three years as a Family Law mediator and one year mediating Real Estate issues. Iman is a native of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Education: Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management from Southern Methodist University; BA in Political Science (Political Theory) from the University of Texas at Dallas.