Joan P. Snyder

Mediator and Arbitrator of Environmental & Natural Resources Disputes

Joan Snyder is a mediator and arbitrator focused on complex environmental, natural resources, and related insurance disputes.  She brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental law and science to disputes involving technically complex facts, multiple parties, regulatory agency oversight, substantial financial exposure, insurance coverage questions, and difficult allocation and causation issues. 

Before becoming a neutral, Joan practiced at Stoel Rives LLP for 34 years, where she was nationally recognized as one of the top attorneys in her field.  Her practice encompassed environmental and natural resources litigation, Superfund/CERCLA matters, environmental insurance coverage disputes, regulatory enforcement proceedings, environmental compliance, environmental issues arising in real estate and corporate transactions, and serving as an advocate in arbitrations and mediations in all these areas. 

Joan’s scientific background enables her to engage effectively with technical evidence and experts and with the science and engineering complexities behind the legal issues.  She earned a B.S. in Chemistry with high honors, pursued graduate study in Environmental Engineering, and worked as an industrial chemist before attending law school, where she focused on environmental law.  While practicing law, Joan worked with multi-disciplinary teams constantly striving to find the most efficient technical solutions to environmental challenges.

As a neutral, Joan serves on the American Arbitration Association Panel of Arbitrators.  She is certified as an Early Dispute Resolution Neutral by the EDR Institute.  Her approach emphasizes careful preparation, efficient and fair process, and practical resolution of difficult disputes. 

Neutral Experience

American Arbitration Association — Panel Arbitrator, 2020-present

Multnomah County (Oregon) Small Claims Court –- Mediator, 2022-present, over 75 cases mediated.

Early Dispute Resolution Institute -– Certified EDR Neutral—trained to perform initial dispute assessment, manage a limited, efficient information exchange and proceed to a risk-focused mediation.   

• Attorney, Stoel Rives LLP, 1986-2022 (partner 1992-2020), Environmental, Natural Resources and Land Use Practice Group.  
• Chemist, Betz Laboratories, Inc., Trevose, Pennsylvania (1978-81).

Education/Science Background

• University of Michigan Law School, J.D., 1984, cum laude
• Drexel University, Graduate study in Environmental Engineering, 1979-80
• University of Delaware, B.S., Chemistry, 1978, with high honors

Professional Recognition

• Chambers Recognition: Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Oregon) by Chambers USA (Environment), 2006–2022
• Named by Best Lawyers^® as Environmental Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Portland, 2010, 2017 and 2019
• Included in The Best Lawyers in America^® (Environmental Law), 2006–2022
• Listed in Oregon Super Lawyers^® (Environmental, Insurance Coverage, Environmental Litigation, Energy & Natural Resources), 2008–2020
• Pro Bono Challenge Award, Oregon State Bar, 2023
• Annual Award, Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Section, 2018
• Past Chair, Environmental & Natural Resources Section, Oregon State Bar

Publications (selected)

• “ADR in Environmental and Natural Resource Disputes,” Chapter 31, Alternative Dispute Resolution in Oregon BarBook^TM , Oregon State Bar, 2019 ed.
• “Portland Harbor: Strategic Insights from One of the Nation’s Largest On-Going Natural Resource Damage Assessments,” Seventh Annual Advanced Conference on Natural Resource Damages, Washington D.C., March 1, 2018
• “Portland Harbor in the Post-ROD World: Integrating In-Water & Upland Remedies and Permitted Discharges–Legal Structure and Tools,” Oregon Source Control Conference, May 19, 2017
• “Habitat and Resource Equivalency Analysis in Resource Compensation and Restoration Decision Making” (co-author), American Bar Association, Natural Resources & Environment Volume 28, Number 1, Summer 2013

Professional Memberships

• American Bar Association:  Dispute Resolution Section, Environment, Energy and Resources Law Section
• Oregon State Bar:  Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Environmental & Natural Resources Section
• Oregon Association of Environmental Professionals
• Oregon Women Lawyers

Affiliations

• American Arbitration Association Panel of Arbitrators–Commercial, Construction and Fast Track Panels
• Oregon Mediation Association
• Early Dispute Resolution Neutral certification by EDR Institute (www.edrinstitute.org)

Personal

Joan and her husband enjoy the outdoors.  She volunteers frequently, including as a mediator with Multnomah County, Oregon, Small Claims Court and as a math tutor in a local elementary school. 

Resume

See Joan’s full resume: 3-page PDF file

Contact

Joan P. Snyder
Snyder Dispute Resolution LLC
Portland, Oregon
503-349-4737
info@SnyderADR.com