Areas of Mediation Concentration:

Commercial:

·Ownership disputes and business break-ups

·Residential construction claims

·Contractor/subcontractor negligence 

·Cases arising under the Connecticut Home Improvement Act

·Franchisee - franchisor disputes

·First and third party insurance claims

·Lender-borrower claims

·Service sector consumer complaints (quality of work, valuation, contract compliance)

·Management - employee relations

·Intra-corporate disputes

·Disputes arising from the sale and acquisition of businesses and assets

Personal Injury:

·Product liability

·Motor vehicle accidents 

·Premises liability cases

Professional History

I had the good fortune to begin my legal career as a law clerk in the chambers of United States District Court Judge Robert C. Zampano (deceased), a nationally recognized and honored figure in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.  As a mediator, Judge Zampano was patient, respectful, open-minded, persistent and strategic.  His approach to conflict resolution has remained with me as an advocate, counselor and mediator.

Over the course of more than three decades, I have worked for large firms and small and most recently have practiced in-house as General Counsel to a middle market company working in the restoration and construction fields.  

 I have litigated in the state and federal courts, trying a variety of matters to juries and the bench, from personal injury cases (both sides) to commercial disputes.  I have  also worked on corporate and business matters from simple contracts to all aspects of complex purchases and sales of multi-million dollar businesses.

Neutral Experience

In my role as General Counsel, I was called upon often to resolve complicated disputes  involving multi-lateral competing interests of business counter-parties, insurance representatives,  owners,  real estate managers, owners' associations, suppliers and vendors, serving as the parties' mediator in hundreds of matters.  

 In private practice, I served as a mediator and arbitrator by selection of counsel and court appointment in personal injury cases, including product liability claims, as well as business disputes, insurance matters (first party claims) and construction cases . I also served as a  "settlement day" mediator for a national carrier.   I am  member of the American Arbitration Association Consumer Mediation Panel, and have served, pro bono, as a Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities mediator . 

Mediation Philosophy

I strive to be reasonable, pragmatic and efficient.  My goal is to resolve each dispute with the greatest expediency that the case allows.   I am mindful that time is a precious commodity in the legal profession and costs are always top of mind for clients.

I am also persistent.  Some cases will not settle on the first try.  My philosophy in those instances is to encourage the parties to take some time to digest the negotiations and return when appropriate.  I will remain available to the parties for as long as they may consider my services useful in settling the case.

I am accessible.   I am willing to confer whenever the parties are available, assuming my schedule allows.

My mediation style is a combination of facilitative and evaluative approaches.   I work hard to  foster a structured, confidential environment where I help the litigants articulate their interests, understand each other’s perspectives and creatively explore possible options. 

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the parties retain full control over the final agreement, leading to a clear, durable and satisfying solution that everyone can regard as a win-win result.