Joseph H.  Paulk

Mr. Paulk has served as President of Dispute Resolution Consultants, Inc. since 1993.  He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1982.  From 1982-2002 he maintained an active litigation profession in addition to his other activities.  Paulk has been conducting mediation/arbitration sessions in excess of 10 years.  He has received extensive, advanced negotiation training through Harvard University (1998-1996) and advanced mediation through Pepperdine University (1997-1999); and the American Law Institute (1993). 

In addition to his Alternate Dispute Resolution, training and litigation activities, Mr. Paulk has authored numerous published articles.  He regularly is a presenter for legal groups on trial, ethical, and Alternate Dispute Resolution subjects.  He was a founding member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association and previously served as Vice Chairman.  He was also invited to participate in the “Masters in Mediation” Educational Program through Pepperdine University Law School in October 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 in Malibu, California.  In October 2003 Paulk was invited by the Straus Institute of the Pepperdine University Law School to be a group moderator in their “masters” program.  In 2001, Mr. Paulk was appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Law at both the University of Arkansas Law School and the University of Tulsa Law School where he has taught Mediation and Negotiation, respectively.  Mr. Paulk also privately conducts training and seminars for professionals in conflict management, communication, negotiation and mediation.

Mr. Paulk serves in the Adjunct Settlement Judge Program for the Northern Federal District Court of Oklahoma and is an approved panel member of mediators for the Western District Federal Court of Oklahoma.  His professional affiliations include:  Charter Member and Vice Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Oklahoma Bar Association; American College of Civil Trial Mediators, where he served on the national Board of Directors 1999-2002; Society of Professions in Dispute Resolution, where he has served as international Co-Chair of the Court Sector (1995-1997); Professional Responsibility Committee of the Tulsa County Bar Association; American Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Litigation Section; American Inns of Court; American Board of Trial Advocates, Oklahoma Bar Foundation, and Former President of the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel (1995).

In 2002 Paulk founded Litigation Consultants, LLC.  LC works with corporations and attorneys in analyzing risk of trials, developing successful themes and strategies through the use of focus groups and mock trial sessions.  Paulk is the only member of the Oklahoma Bar Association to also be admitted to the American Society of Trial Consultants.