Negotiation Master Class
Nierman ADR
Where Experience Meets Resolution.™
Specialized Arbitration and Mediation for Insurance and Healthcare Disputes
Trial-Tested Perspective.
Focused on Evaluation.
Committed to Resolution.
Craig Nierman is a commercial arbitrator and mediator specializing in complex insurance and healthcare disputes, including first and third-party claims, and payor-provider matters. A 26-year trial veteran, he now serves as a neutral, combining rigorous preparation with practical judgment grounded in experience on both sides of the “v.”
Craig is known for quickly identifying dispositive issues and helping counsel evaluate risk and resolution pathways. His work is informed by teaching arbitration and insurance at the University of Iowa College of Law and publishing on ADR, insurance, and healthcare issues.
He has been inducted into the Order of the Coif and the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and is the immediate past-president of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys.
Recommended by Attorneys and Clients
Craig’s Neutral Experience Includes:
Chair of arbitration panel considering an eight-figure payor-provider dispute involving emergency relief, contract claims, and punitive damages allegations.
Mediator in overlapping eight-figure litigation and arbitration matters involving a specialized medical clinic, affiliated real estate holding company, and former employee-stockholder, including claims for breaches of employment agreement and fiduciary duty, defamation, and shareholder oppression.
Arbitrator in first-party insurance coverage dispute with complex coverage, producer errors and omissions, and extra-contractual issues.
Mediation of a lawsuit between a regional medical clinic and national care-coordination network. Allegations involved breach of contract claims and counterclaims.
Arbitration of nine-figure payor-provider dispute concerning thousands of patient accounts, multiple healthcare providers, and complex medical necessity issues.
Chair of arbitration panel in malpractice/wrongful death case involving eleven parties and contested arbitrability.
Education
Harvard Law School
University of Iowa, College of Law
J.D., with High Distinction
University of California, Davis
B.A., Political Science
Insurance and Healthcare Disputes: Experience Informing Resolution
Craig’s prior practice focused on complex insurance and healthcare disputes involving intertwined legal, financial, contractual, and regulatory issues. His experience includes multi-party matters, layered insurance programs, and expert-driven records.
Insurance Coverage and Claims
- First- and third-party coverage disputes, including excess and layered programs
- Duty to defend and indemnity allocation across multiple insurers
- Extracontractual and bad faith exposure
- Subrogation and recovery actions
- Producer liability and carrier–broker disputes
Healthcare and Payor–Provider Disputes
- Reimbursement disputes involving ERISA plans, commercial insurers, and government payors
- Managed care and network participation conflicts
- Professional negligence and risk allocation disputes
- Regulatory matters, including HIPAA compliance
- Provider contracting, affiliations, and transaction-related disputes
He has represented and opposed insurers, healthcare providers, businesses, individuals, and public entities, providing a balanced perspective on how different stakeholders assess risk and approach resolution.
This experience informs a disciplined and even-handed approach to evaluating evidence, managing complex records, and resolving disputes efficiently in arbitration and mediation.
Arbitration and Mediation
Arbitration
Craig’s focus is on serving the parties, not the process. He believes that arbitration should be faster, less expensive, and at least as fair as trial—and he takes responsibility for making that happen.
With experience across all sides of disputes, Craig identifies the salient issues, objectively applies the facts, and moves the process forward efficiently. His awards reflect a clear, straightforward application of the law and the evidence, rather than trying to make everyone happy.
Mediation
Craig comes in prepared.
He is not a “number carrier” or bully; instead, he knows the verdicts and law, gives frank feedback, and helps the parties evaluate their risks.
His credibility, established through decades in the courtroom, enables him to connect with everyone. Clients feel heard as he listens to their story and perspective. He persists—for months if necessary—to get the deal done.
Recommended by Attorneys and Clients
Insights & Speaking
Next Steps
Schedule
Contact case manager, Charity, by phone or email.