Arbitration philosophy

"I am well aware of the dissatisfaction expressed over commercial arbitration becoming more like litigation, but am convinced it can be a streamlined, effective and less formal process than litigation and therefore a preferable alternative.

While I am very conscious of the need for the parties to have the opportunity to present all relevant evidence, I also believe it is vital to first work with the parties and their representatives to agree on what procedures will fit their particular case in order for the pre-hearing process, discovery, and the hearing to run fairly and efficiently.

I have found that asking the parties during the initial stages of the process how they think costs and/or the amount of time can be reduced is often very productive in reaching these goals."

Arbitration Experience

Served as arbitrator in over 80 Commercial Disputes with exposure from $25,000 to over $15 million including:

- Executive compensation;

- Health care issues including billing disputes and ERISA matters;

- Individual consumer (and other) claims arising from Class Actions;

- Breach of employment and partnership contracts;

- Professional liability matters involving attorneys, accountants, insurance brokers, physicians and real estate professionals;

- Disputes over legality of actions of Boards of Directors of privately held corporations and real estate co-ops;

- Employment discrimination and improper termination;

- Insurance coverage and rescission actions;

- Legal fee disputes;

- Employment practices liability and handbook interpretations;

- Maritime shipping disputes and claims of fraudulent losses;

- Artwork ownership and recovery;

- Credit card/issuing bank and sponsor dispute;

- Insurance and reinsurance issues;

- Dispute over proper distribution of post-divorce marital assets;

- Partnership and LLC dissolution.

Advocate in arbitration proceedings in over 60 commercial arbitrations with exposure ranging from $25,000 to $25 million.

Acted as an advocate in over 20 mediations involving commercial disputes, insurance and reinsurance coverage matters, and issues over the ownership of artwork in excess of $25 million.

Trial experience in State and Federal Courts with over 25 cases taken to final verdict.

Acted as Mediator in over 75 Mediations in multiple areas. Member of AAA Large, Complex Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Panels ;

Member of Rosters of New York County and Westchester County Supreme Court Commercial ADR Programs; Member of Roster of New York County Lawyers Association Attorney Fee Dispute Program; Certified as an Arbitrator and Mediator, ARIAS US.

International matters have included disputes arising in England, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, and Bermuda.