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Karl O. Bayer (born February 22, 1949) is a Mediator and Arbitrator in Austin, Texas. He teaches at the Center for Global Energy, International Arbitration, and Environmental Law at the University of Texas School of Law.

Early Life
Karl Orrin Bayer, Jr. was born February 22, 1949 in Houston, Texas to Methodist minister Karl Orrin Bayer, Sr. and Doris Schieb Bayer. He attended Rice University in Houston where he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Electrical Engineering, graduating cum laude in 1971. He went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering in 1973. His Master's thesis focused on the organization of nerve fibers in the brains of turtles. After graduating he worked for the Concord Research Corporation designing school bus routing systems.

In 1974, Bayer moved to Austin, TX where he worked as a Legislative and Administrative Assistant to Texas Senate, District 3, Senator Don Adams. He attended the [University of Texas School of Law] and earned his J.D. in 1976.

Career
After completing law school, Bayer moved to [El Paso, Texas] to practice law for two years. He then moved to Washington, D.C. to work as Legislative Director for U.S. House Representative Kent Hance. While in D.C., Bayer worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Staff Attorney in the Office of General Counsel on Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

In 1981, Bayer returned to Austin, TX to start his own trial practice specializing in plaintiff's personal injury. In 1988, Bayer earned the nomination for the Democratic Candidate for the Texas Supreme Court, District 5, but did not win the election. After working for two different law firms, Bayer co-formed Resolution Architects, a conflict resolution consulting firm.

Forming his own practice in 1991, Bayer continues to work in the field of [Alternative Dispute Resolution]. He is a Mediator, Arbitrator, Court Master, Technical Advisor, and Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Texas School of Law. He writes regularly on ADR subjects.

Personal Life
Bayer married Karen Lee Wilson on February 11, 1978 and has twin daughters, Elizabeth Wilson Bayer and Katharine Wilson Bayer.