About - Thomas R. Watkins
THOMAS R. WATKINS
Thomas R. Watkins is Principal of Thomas Resolutions, an independent firm which offers services in Executive Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, Arbitration, and Diversity. Thomas is a licensed Mediator (City of Los Angeles), Certified Arbitrator, Mediator, Settlement Officer (Los Angeles Superior and Municipal Courts), Certified Advanced Practitioner Employment Mediator ACR (Association for Conflict Resolution), Certified Mediator and Arbitrator with FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). He holds a BS degree and an MPA Degree in Public Administration, from the University of California Dominguez Hills, Carson California. Thomas studied law at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota and is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the LA County Bar Fee Dispute Program.
Thomas offers expertise based on the experience of 20 plus years with private and public sector organizations. He has been a small business owner, worked as a manager in the banking industry and hospital industry, and is currently an Arbitrator with FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). In this capacity Thomas is an arbiter in securities investments and employment disputes. He has been an Arbitrator, Mediator and Settlement Officer for the Los Angeles County Superior Municipal Courts.
Thomas has held a number of positions with the Federal Government, most notably with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (US EEOC). There he worked as an Investigator, Mediator, and coordinated the EEOC Technical Assistance Program Seminars (TAPS). In the role of Investigator, he conducted over 800 investigations during his tenure at EEOC. He conducted individual investigations, and supervised systemic and class complaints. As a mediator with the US EEOC and the Los Angeles County Superior and Municipal Courts, he has mediated over 1,000 employment disputes in public and private sector.
As coordinator of EEOC’s Technical Assistance Program Seminars, Thomas marketed and directed employment workshops for employers on Cultural Diversity and Federal EEO Statutes that govern workplace activities. He often spoke on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), specifically mediation, arbitration and principles of conflict resolution.
Thomas is President of the Association for Conflict Resolution LA (ACR- LA) and a member of ACR, www.acrnet.org an international organization comprised of over 6000 members with the sole purpose of educating and training all segments of society in the value of conflict resolution. He is currently serving his second term as President of the ACR Los Angeles Chapter, and is a former member of the National Advisory Council. Thomas is credited for having revitalized the ACR LA Chapter and providing education and information on conflict resolution throughout Southern California. He is acknowledged as an avid proponent of workplace equity. Thomas is a member of Phi Alpha Alpha Honorary Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Thomas is a member of the Century City Chamber of Commerce, Law and Business Council and a member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.