The Missouri Bar Board of Governors appointed Julia Chaney-Faughn, Randy Hoerschgen, and Mary Houston to the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee at its meeting on May 19, 2023.
The Board of Governors established the seven-person Fee Dispute Resolution Committee in 1989 to oversee the Fee Dispute Resolution Program. The program provides a voluntary, non-judicial platform for resolving fee disputes between clients and lawyers using facilitation, mediation, and arbitration. The committee consists of four Missouri Bar members and three Missouri residents who are not licensed lawyers.
Chaney-Faughn is a partner in Cruse Chaney-Faughn P.C. and is admitted to The Missouri Bar, the Illinois Bar, and the U.S. District Courts of Missouri. She is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Counsel, Regional Interagency Coordinating Councils (RICCs) member with Missouri First Steps, The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, and a graduate of the Partners in Policymaking Class. She volunteers with advocacy groups for disabled children and survivors of domestic violence.
"I serve to promote effective and equal access to legal services for all," Chaney-Faughn said of her appointment.
Hoerschgen has been a mediator for 22 years. He describes mediation as a “unique opportunity” for parties to resolve their dispute with the assistance of an experienced mediator, while building a resolution that meets each party’s individual interest. Hoerschgen first used mediation while serving as a school social worker and became fascinated with mediation and alternative dispute resolution, ultimately opening his firm DecisionOne. Hoerschgen has served on the state board of the Association of Missouri Mediators and was nominated to serve as the first executive director of the association.
“I am honored and excited to serve on the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee for The Missouri Bar,” Hoerschgen said. “For the past several years I have been on the panel of mediators for this program, and I am looking forward to using that knowledge and experience to the committee that oversees the program.”
Houston started HIMAS, a company that provides insurance claims consulting, mediation, and arbitration services in Missouri, Illinois, and other states. She currently provides Equal Employment Opportunity workplace mediation services for governmental agencies in Missouri and Southern Illinois. Houston previously mediated for the 22nd Circuit Court in the City of St. Louis in addition to serving as an insurance litigator for more than 35 years. She was also a volunteer mediator, facilitator, and board member for the Natural Bridge Community Mediation Center. Houston has received several certifications including Civil Mediation from the School of Mediation Services in Dallas, Texas.
“It is an honor to continue to serve in an area that I am passionate about,” Houston said. “I have witnessed the benefits of mediation and look forward to working with the Fee Dispute Resolution Committee.”
Chaney- Faughn and Hoerschgen began their four-year terms on June 1. Houston’s term began immediately upon appointment to fill an unexpired term which ends May 31, 2026.
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