Philibeck Dispute Resolution

Matt Philibeck

Matt@PhilibeckDR.com | (505) 810-4068

Owner | Mediator

Philibeck Dispute Resolution

Professional Profile

A seasoned Negotiator, Mediator, and Facilitator, Matt is a highly experienced former Federal Mediator based in Albuquerque, NM, with over 15 years of expertise in mediating and negotiating collective bargaining agreements across public, private, and federal sectors. With a reputation for fostering reliable relationships and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes, he has worked across diverse cultures and regions, including Tribal Nations, Hawaii, California, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest.

Throughout his career, he has successfully mediated complex disputes, from EEO complaints and grievances to large-scale public policy negotiations. Notably, as the Mediation Team Lead for the Columbia River Basin Mediation, he facilitated agreements securing over $1 billion in federal funding for ecological restoration and Tribal initiatives, as well as a 20-year litigation stay in the Ninth Circuit Court and a 10-year stay in Oregon District Court. Matt’s role in mediating the Washington Resource Management Plan further demonstrated his ability to align government agencies, sovereign Tribes, and stakeholders in complex environmental negotiations.

Before his mediation career, he held several leadership roles within UAW Local 566, serving as President, Bargaining Committeeman, and Constitutional Delegate. Matt led collective bargaining efforts, represented workers in arbitrations and mediations, and fostered strong labor-management relations. His expertise in labor relations and dispute resolution has been instrumental in shaping fair and effective agreements across various sectors.

In addition to his mediation work, he is an accomplished trainer and mentor, having delivered negotiation training at institutions such as the Harvard Kennedy School, American University, and FMCS. Matt specializes in capacity building for negotiators, training in conflict resolution, skills building, collaborative bargaining models, team building, and leadership.

A dedicated professional, he has received extensive training in conflict management, negotiation, and leadership from esteemed institutions, including Brandeis University and The Walter & May Reuther Education Center. His commitment to fostering constructive dialogue and resolving disputes has made him a trusted figure in mediation and labor relations.

Matt continues to work at the intersection of policy, labor relations, and mediation, helping diverse groups navigate complex negotiations to achieve sustainable and equitable solutions.

Testimonials

  • "During the pandemic, Matt was indispensable in helping us navigate challenging negotiations. His grasp of the details, empathy for both sides, and persuasive diplomacy helped both parties find a way forward with an agreement that required creativity and innovative thinking. His steady leadership made a complex process more manageable and constructive." 

    John Forsyte

    President and CEO

    Pacific Symphony

  • "Matt’s expertise in labor relations and his diplomatic skill in mediating divergent viewpoints served UNM Hospital exceptionally well when we established a new labor-management committee with our largest labor union.  Matt trained all participants and facilitated monthly meetings for over year, grooming us into a functional committee through his attentiveness, patience, balance, kindness, and constructive critiques.  He is the consummate professional."

    Ryan Randall

    Executive Director HR Labor Relations

    University of New Mexico Hospital

  • "Matt Philibeck helped mediate a hard-fought collective bargaining agreement between Bureau of Land Management employees in Oregon and the National Treasury Employees Union.  As counsel for the union side, I appreciated how he approached our bargaining sessions with a purpose and a plan to get it done, stayed out of the parties’ way when we were producing results, and intuited when to play a more active role in getting our perspectives closer to one another.  I can’t imagine we would have accomplished so much (both management and union) without his professionalism and skill."


    Douglas L. Sanders

    Assistant Counsel and National Field Representative

    National Treasury Employees Union

  • "We reached a very difficult point in negotiations. Matt stepped in as a neutral and immediately brought clarity, structure, and trust to the process. His deep understanding of labor relations, combined with his calm, strategic approach, helped both parties move beyond entrenched positions. Thanks to Matt’s guidance, we reached a fair and workable agreement that seemed out of reach just days earlier. I would not hesitate to bring him in again."

    Joseph L. Sanchez, P.E.

    CEO and General Manager

    Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative

  • "Working with Matt has been transformational for our collective bargaining. His facilitation has improved the relationship between labor and management; increasing both sides' focus on the issues and solutions and resulting in a better working environment for all of us."

    Sean Barham MBA ARM CLRP

    Executive Director of Risk Management and Health Services

    Las Cruces Public Schools

Services

Collective Bargaining Mediation

With extensive experience in collective bargaining—both as an advocate and a neutral—Matt helps parties navigate complex issues and clarify key concerns. He is equally adept at facilitating collaborative bargaining processes and mediating highly adversarial negotiations. His mediation expertise extends to grievances, employment disputes, and workplace complaints. Additionally, he offers and encourages pre-bargaining training to help parties build effective negotiation strategies, as well as skills-building trainings anytime. Call for a free consultation on customization to your needs!

Large-Scale Public Policy Mediations

Matt has ample experience facilitating negotiation sessions with as many as forty stakeholder groups. Designing creative plenary sessions, both in-person and virtually, Matt has created bargaining processes that have moved parties out of the courtroom with long-term litigation abeyances. Matt combines all of the necessary skills for success: facilitating public listening sessions, handling appropriate outreach and consultations, and ultimately mediating the negotiations necessary to ensure long-term, durable agreements that stakeholders and the public support.

Climate Assessments

Matt has a proven track record of transforming relationships from caustic, unproductive, and retaliatory to communicative, cooperative, and functional. Guided by his core philosophy—"When elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers"—he begins with a thorough assessment to create the right setting for meaningful dialogue, action planning, and sustained follow-up. Believing that no relationship is beyond repair, he also identifies and addresses systemic shortcomings and misalignments that may be at the root of strained dynamics, fostering long-term stability and collaboration.