Richard Cobb worked his way through school as a framer on a construction crew, and as a salesman in a material supply house. Since that time he has represented general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, equipment lessors, developers, and property owners. His work has ranged from construction defect disputes to mechanic lien foreclosures and priority disputes to intellectual property rights involving house design.

The hallmark of Richard Cobb's mediation practice is preparation. In addition to reading mediation memorandums, he meets with each attorney individually to discuss factual and legal issues. He researches legal issues before the mediation. Even though the key terms are undecided, a rough draft settlement agreement is prepared and circulated to all counsel before the mediation.

At the formal mediation, the parties are rarely in the same room together. Opening statements by attorneys to opposing parties are rarely provided. Lunch is provided. Bracketing, and repeated back and forth offers are discouraged. In some instances, there are too many parties to have a meaningful discussion with each litigant in a single day. In these cases, Mr. Cobb meets with each counsel and client separately. Mr. Cobb encourages the participants to sign a Rule 80d settlement agreement at the conclusion of successful mediations.

In 1988 Richard Cobb cross examined his first witness in an administrative agency hearing before the Registrar of Contractors. Since that first appearance, he has continued to represent licensed business and individuals in administrative agency matters. His work still includes the defense of license holders and has expanded to include requests for formal opinions on licensure, appeals in the form of petitions for review of administrative agency rulings, and consultation with regulated businesses and individuals.