Biography

PROFILE

Mr. Dampf was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1979. For 38 years, he was a member of Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock in Lake Charles, Louisiana and is now retired from the firm. He is an experienced trial lawyer at the state and federal level and argued cases in State and Federal Courts of Appeal and the Louisiana State Supreme Court.

In addition to his active mediation schedule, he is also a frequent author and lecturer on the subject of mediation and arbitration processes. As a certified instructor on the topics of mediation and arbitration, Mr. Dampf has conducted mediation seminars and training for lawyers and business groups from Los Angeles, CA to Dublin, Ireland. He has conducted ADR programs for Tulane University School of Law, Louisiana State University Law School, Southern University Law School, Loyola University School of Law, Louisiana State Bar Association, and numerous specialty bar groups. He also held instructor status at McNeese State University.

In 2018, Mr. Dampf was appointed by the governor, with confirmation of the Senate, to represent the 6th Congressional District on the LSU Board of Supervisors. His term of service ends June 1, 2024.

Mr. Dampf was selected to be included in The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of Alternative Dispute Resolution (2011). He was also a Louisiana Top-Rated Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer by Super Lawyers in 2007–2008 and 2010-2023. He was the President of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association from 1996-97. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association (current member, former Treasurer, former Board of Governor member and former House of Delegates member).

TESTIMONIALS

“… I wanted to let you know that you truly are the BEST mediator and one of the most delightful people I know. You serve so many with your talents …”

“Robert Dampf is unrivaled. Got phenomenal number…”

“I want to personally thank you for your outstanding mediation effort. As a result of your efforts, the court has dismissed this case based upon the settlement the parties reached.”

“Your confidence … and your perseverance in pulling it off, should be enshrined in the ‘Mediation Hall of Fame’, if there was such a thing. I still recount this story to my colleagues whenever the topic of mediation comes up.”

“You really did an excellent job in connection with this case. You have an excellent combination of patience, wisdom and tenacity, all superimposed on a pleasant ‘Type A’ personality. We’ll be sure to use you again.”

“Your skills as a mediator and high level of professional competence were touted by others with whom I spoke in selecting a mediator in Lake Charles. My very high expectations of you were surpassed in the mediator process. It was truly a pleasure working with you. To the extent I find myself in need of a mediator anywhere in Louisiana or East Texas, you are at the top of my list. I am also recommending you to the lawyers in my Houston, Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices.”

“I want to reiterate that I appreciated your professionalism and competence, but more importantly your compassion under the circumstances.”

“I am a great believer of ‘principled negotiation’. I find that without a principled basis for mediation, most cases never settle, and in this case I was, quite frankly, pessimistic before we convened. It was gratifying to see you apply the techniques of principled negotiation fairly to both sides, and, in my opinion, your efforts were the key to reaching settlement.”