Work History

Principal, Michael Walsh ADR, 2014-Present;

Founder and Principal, Boundas, Skarzynski, Walsh & Black, 2003-2014;

Partner and Member of Executive Committee, Peterson & Ross, 2000-2003;

Founder and Partner, Walsh & Sheehan, LLP, 1996-2000;

Partner, Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, 1988-1996;

Assistant General Counsel and Officer, Skandia American Reinsurance Corporation, 1984-1988;

Associate, Martin, Clearwater & Bell, 1979-1984.

Experience

Over 35 years experience as either a litigator, arbitrator, or mediator in a wide range of domestic and international disputes involving: commercial; corporate; employment; professional liability; partnerships; insurance; claims of malpractice against attorneys, accountants (including public company and SEC Issues), insurance brokers and agents, real estate professionals, actuaries, hospitals and physicians, as well as directors and officers.

Litigated and arbitrated attorney and accountant malpractice cases based upon multiple underlying issues including real estate transactions, Labor Union representation, retirement issues, securities law, commercial litigation, insurance coverage, tax and IRS issues, zoning, labor law, ERISA, RICO, personal injury, escrow conversion, and labor union disability claims.

Also experienced in: Clergy sexual misconduct cases, First Amendment issues including published defamation, personal injury and premises liability, employment discrimination, RICO Claims;

Privileged to successfully represent the Estate and grandchildren of a recognized art world master in a high profile action to recover compensation and other rights related to the artist's work from museums, auction houses, art galleries, and other art collectors; Product liability cases involving elevators, computer keyboards, medical devices, HVAC, fire helmets, asbestos;

Professional sports related issues including National Hockey League concussion litigation, representation of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, golf product manufacturers and distributors as well as season ticket and Luxury Box Disputes;

Litigation involving furriers, warehousing issues, maritime, trademark infringement and arson; Insurance agency/brokerage issues, claims management practices, MGAs, TPAs, SIR issues, property/casualty (CGL), accident, life/health, disability, ERISA, Errors and Omissions, Directors and Officers, Fidelity and Surety, workers compensation, title, fire and water damage, claims arising out of 9/11 attacks, excess and reinsurance contract and treaty disputes.

ORGANIZATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section & Committees on Arbitration and Mediation, New York State Bar Association

Member, Westchester County Bar Association, Section of Alternative Dispute Resolution : Co-Chair 2018 - 2021

Member, Litigation Section & Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, American Bar Association.

Member, Eastern Region Steering Committee, Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS).

Member, AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society (ARIAS U.S.).

Member, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA)

Member, ARIAS Law Committee.

ADR PANELS

American Arbitration Association (AAA) Panel of Commerical Arbitrators and Mediators including Roster for Large Complex Commercial Cases;
Resolute Systems Panel of Neutrals;
Approved Mediator for New York Supreme Court ADR Program, New York and Westchester Counties;
Certified Arbitrator and Approved Mediator for AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society (ARIAS U.S.);
New York County Lawyers Association Panel for Arbitration of Fee Disputes.

ADR TRAINING

NYC Bar Association -Advanced Commercial Mediation Training;

AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices; ARIAS Master Program for Umpires in Arbitration;

Process Essentials for AAA Arbitrators, 2022;

Impartiality: Do You Know Where Your Biases Are?, 2021;

Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility, 2020;

Case Finances: What Arbitrators Need to Know, 2019;

Arbitrator Performance and Demeanor ~ Meeting Participant Expectations, 2018;

It's Not Just "Litigation Lite", 2017;

AAA Arbitrators Conducting Legal Research - Good Idea or Bad?, 2017;

AAA Panel Dynamics: Staying On Course When Things Don't Go As Planned, 2015;

AAA When Arbitrator Disclosure Meets Social Media: New Obligations in the Internet Age 2014;

New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Meeting, 2013;

ARIAS, Master Program for Umpires in Arbitration, 2013;

The New York City Bar, Securities Arbitration & Mediation Hot Topics, "The" Program for Attorneys, Experts, Arbitrators & Mediators, 2012;

AAA How to Become a More Innovative Neutral or Advocate: Applying Cutting Edge Innovation Management Techniques to Your ADR Practice;

AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards;

AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices for New AAA Arbitrators ;

AAA Muscular Arbitration: Trimming the Fat out of Arbitration, NYC Bar Association, Advanced Commercial Mediation Training;

NY City Bar Association, Basic Mediation Training: Conflict Resolution Theory and Techniques ;

AAA Securities Arbitrator Training.

EDUCATION

University of Notre Dame, A.B.
St. John's University School of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions

State of New York
United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York