Markel Arrizabalaga

PERSONAL HISTORY:  I  am a Miami Native of Spanish Basque descent.  My wife Julie and I  currently live in Coral Gables with our two daughters.  I have been a  lawyer since 1994 and a mediator since 2004.  Currently, my practice is  dedicated solely to serving as a neutral.  I am fluent in English,  Spanish and Basque.  

EDUCATION:   I am a graduate of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.  I received a  Bachelors in Business Administration from The University of Miami and a  J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law.

CERTIFICATIONS and BAR MEMBERSHIPS:   I have been a member of the Florida Bar in good standing since 1994.   I have been a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator  since 2004.  I am also a USDC, Southern District of Florida Certified  Mediator.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:   In 2004, we founded Kleinman & Arrizabalaga, PA and K&A Mediation.   For about a decade, our law firm represented plaintiffs and defendants  in matters of personal injury, insurance disputes and commercial  disputes.   From 2005 to 2013, I was also an agent of Attorney's Title  Insurance Fund, serving as closing agent on both residential and  commercial transactions.  Today, my practice is dedicated solely to  serving as a neutral through K&A Mediation, a statewide mediation  firm largely dealing with personal injury disputes (premises, auto,  professional malpractice, nursing home claims. . . ), first party  insurance disputes (residential, commercial, CGL, marine, . . . ),  construction disputes and commercial disputes.  I have mediated claims  involving retailers and other corporations such as Publix, Toys R Us,  Home Depot, K-Mart, Macy's, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Winn-Dixie, Walgreens,  Target, Sedano's, Costco, BJ's, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Tenet and  many others.  I have mediated claims involving carriers such as  Citizens, Florida Peninsula, State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, GEICO,  e-surance, Southern Fidelity, London Underwriters, QBE, Liberty Mutual,  Tower Hill, Castle Key, Scottsdale, Farmers, Universal, Heritage, American Security, American Integrity, Safepoint, Zurich, Olympus, Homeowners Choice, Anchor and many others.    Prior to  K&A, I practiced law in the insurance defense department at Adorno & Zeder, which later became known as Adorno Yoss, a large Miami law firm. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  I am an active, lifelong member of The Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables and a member of the Belen Alumni Lawyers Section.