Mediation Services
After over 40 years as a trial lawyer, John decided to open an active mediation practice as well. Experiencing over 150 mediations as lead counsel for a party in litigation has given John a good idea of what works and what doesn’t work in mediation. During that time, he has represented clients in many types of lawsuits, including commercial and intellectual property litigation, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, serious personal injury, products liability, and construction litigation. He has represented clients on both sides of the docket. Over the last three years, John has settled over 90% of the cases he mediated.
John is not a “message carrier” mediator. He does his homework, just like preparing for a court case, and is prepared to discuss issues with counsel and clients courteously and professionally as he strives for a fair resolution.
Who We Serve
In-House Counsel
Plaintiffs' Counsel
Defense Counsel I
Appellate Counsel
Co-Counsel & Pro Hac Vice Counsel
Insurance Coverage Counsel
SERVING NATIONWIDE
Where Raley Law Sits in the Market
40+
Years of trial experience. John W. Raley III has been a first-chair Texas trial lawyer since 1986, with 40 jury verdicts and over 200 mediations as lead counsel before becoming a neutral.
Two senior partners. Trial-tested, Houston-anchored.
THE FIRM
John W. Raley III is the firm's certified mediator. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has briefed and argued before the Texas Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit, and the Federal Circuit, and has been listed as a Texas Monthly Super Lawyer continuously since 2003.
Kelly W. Raley is John's partner in the firm and a trial attorney in her own right. She is a former Vinson & Elkins associate and holds an LL.M. in Health Law from the University of Houston Law Center, a credential that underwrites the firm's depth in professional liability and medical malpractice matters. While John is the neutral on every mediation, Kelly supports the practice with the firm's litigation perspective and serves as a second point of contact for engaging counsel.
The husband-and-wife partnership is by design. Two senior partners, aligned incentives, no handoffs to associates, and continuity from first call to mediation day.
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Contract, fraud, trade secrets, upstream and midstream disputes
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Legal and medical malpractice, both sides. Health Law LL.M. on the team.
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Patent, copyright, trade secret, and licensing
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Serious injury, products liability, industrial accident
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Commercial construction, design-professional, and real estate disputes
PRACTICE CATEGORIES
Raley Law does not handle family law or divorce mediation.The Process:
From first call to mediation day.
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01
Initial Contact
Counsel for either party contacts the firm to propose dates and identify the matter
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02
Conflict Check
The firm runs a confidential neutrality check against parties, counsel, and material witnesses.
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03
Pre-Mediation Submissions
Counsel exchange confidential statements describing the dispute, positions, and key documents.
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04
Mediation Day
Separate caucuses and shuttle diplomacy, with an optional joint opening session if the parties wish, until resolution or impasse.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Mediation, answered.
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John accepts referrals from both, as well as ad hoc engagements scheduled directly by counsel.
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Commercial and energy disputes, professional liability (legal and medical malpractice), intellectual property, personal injury, products liability, construction, and complex civil matters. The firm does not handle family law or divorce mediation.
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Yes. Virtual sessions are the default for matters where counsel and parties value the time and travel savings. Hybrid sessions, with some parties in-person and others remote, are also available.
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Contact the firm at (713) 429-8055 or john@johnraleylaw.com. The firm runs a conflict check; if clear, the date is confirmed and confidential pre-mediation submissions are exchanged before the session.
Request a Houston mediation date.
Counsel for either party, or for both parties jointly. All inquiries are handled by John or Kelly Raley personally.
DIRECT LINE
(713) 429-8055
GALLERIA MEDIATION SUITE
1717 Saint James Place, Suite 320
Houston, Texas 77056
What Happens Next
A direct conversation with John or Kelly Raley, not an intake routed through a marketing pipeline. The firm runs a confidential conflict check; if clear, dates and fees are proposed. Pre-mediation submissions are exchanged on a confidential schedule before the session.
Inquiries do not establish a mediator-party or attorney-client relationship. Please do not share confidential matter details until the conflict check has cleared.
Attorney Advertising. This page is attorney advertising under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. John W. Raley III is the attorney responsible for the content of this communication. Principal office: 1717 Saint James Place, Suite 320, Houston, Texas 77056.
Specialization. Neither John W. Raley III nor Kelly W. Raley is certified as a specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in any practice area. John W. Raley III is a certified mediator.