Mediator & Arbitrator | Upchurch, Watson, White and Max
Former Chief Judge Lauten serves as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator and Arbitrator at Upchurch, Watson, White and Max where he has worked for the past six years.
For more than a quarter century, Frederick J. Lauten helped shape the legal landscape of Central Florida, serving 26 years as a judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit and the final five as Chief Judge. Throughout his distinguished judicial career, he presided in every division of county court and multiple divisions of circuit court, including leading the Ninth Circuit’s Business Court from 2007 to 2012. His courtroom experience spans complex civil and commercial disputes, criminal matters, probate, guardianship, and mental health cases—earning him a reputation for thoughtful leadership and steady judgment.
Beyond the bench, Lauten played a pivotal role in Florida’s statewide judicial system. He served as Dean of the Florida Judicial College, mentoring and educating newly appointed judges, and chaired the Education Committee of the Conference of Circuit Court Judges. Appointed by the Florida Supreme Court to numerous statewide committees—including the Judicial Management Council and the Trial Court Budget Committee—he also chaired the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS). He frequently taught courses in evidence, civil and criminal law, and complex commercial case management, further elevating the profession.
His service has been recognized with some of the legal community’s highest honors, including the 2016 American Board of Trial Advocates Trial Judge of the Year, the 2018 James G. Glazebrook Jurist of the Year, and the Mental Health Association’s Community Hero Award.
A Central Florida resident for more than 50 years, Lauten holds a J.D. from Villanova University, an M.B.A. from Rollins College’s Crummer School of Business, and a B.A. from Rollins College.
One Orlando Centre 800 North Magnolia Ave., Suite 400 Orlando, FL 32803 407-661-1123 | uww-adr.com flauten@uww-adr.com
