R. David Ware brings a distinguished four-decade legal career to his work as a mediator, offering parties a wealth of experience navigating complex, high-stakes disputes. The proud son of sharecroppers, Mr. Ware earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law, where his leadership on the nationally acclaimed moot court team laid the foundation for a successful trial practice. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of West Georgia, earned on academic and athletic scholarships, and is a member of the Blue Key National Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma.

Admitted to practice before all Georgia state and federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court, Mr. Ware has represented Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, governmental agencies, insurers, high-profile athletes, and prominent individuals in complex litigation and multimillion-dollar negotiations. His deep understanding of dispute dynamics stems from his unique experience as both a first-chair trial attorney and a seasoned executive, having served as County Attorney and later as County Manager for Georgia’s largest county, where he successfully managed a $1 billion budget.

Mr. Ware’s public service as Fulton County Attorney showcased his ability to lead and resolve challenging legal matters. Managing a legal team and extensive outside counsel, he advised over 40 departments and agencies on a wide range of legal issues, including labor and employment law, catastrophic injury, constitutional challenges, zoning, environmental matters, and complex government disputes. His litigation background includes high-profile victories such as ending nine years of federal oversight of the Fulton County jail, successfully defending against multimillion-dollar claims, and prevailing in precedent-setting appellate cases.

His experience as a former part-time Magistrate Judge, combined with his courtroom successes and negotiation expertise, equips Mr. Ware with a practical, solution-focused approach to mediation. He understands the pressures and risks of litigation from the inside out, enabling him to guide parties toward resolution with credibility, authority, and impartiality.

Mr. Ware’s practice is also informed by his early achievements in business and sports law, where he successfully challenged NFL eligibility rules, negotiated record-breaking contracts, and gained national recognition as a top sports agent. His ability to broker deals under intense public scrutiny mirrors the skills he brings to confidential settlement negotiations today.

At Henning Mediation, Mr. Ware’s background in government, private practice, and executive leadership positions him as a trusted neutral for resolving disputes involving employment law, civil rights, governmental liability, complex commercial issues, tort claims, and high-profile matters. His diverse experience and proven judgment make him an ideal choice for parties seeking an effective and authoritative mediator.

Midtown Location David offers the option of hosting mediations and arbitrations at his Midtown law firm located in 191 Peachtree Tower (Address: 191 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 2900, Atlanta, GA 30303 ).

David joined Henning Mediation's Panel of Neutrals in 2025 and is available for mediation and arbitration. Sessions may be conducted in-person at Henning's Atlanta office, via secure video conferencing.