Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience

I have handled hundreds of arbitrations as tribunal chair, wing and sole arbitrator:

International: Arbitrated breach of series of contracts, fraud and related claims between large German manufacturer and U.S. distributor of plastic storage pallets; arbitrated breach of agreement between Russian manufacturer and U.S. distributor of alcoholic beverages; arbitrated breach of contract and wrongful termination of Brazilian-Central American distributor by large U.S. telecommunications company; arbitrated dispute between major international bank and its primary software provider.

Partnership: Arbitrated numerous disputes among partners, joint venture parties, LLC members and managers, investors and co-owners regarding real estate developers, hedge funds, private equity, investment banking and other financial institutions, medical practices, family owned businesses, self-storage companies, pharmaceutical company, accounting firms and law firms.

Commercial/Business Transactions: Arbitrated claims arising out of mergers and acquisitions of businesses, including accounting firm, restaurant business, document storage company, car wash company, involving valuations, fraud, breach of representations and warranties, determination of post-closing adjusted purchase prices, and other issues; arbitrated allocation of liability for losses among purchaser and seller of seed company.

Employment: Arbitrated numerous breach of executive employment agreements, consulting agreements and independent contractor agreements involving hedge funds, private equity funds, banks and other large financial institutions, hospitality companies, medical practices and other businesses; arbitrated claims brought against prominent university by professor alleging breach of contract and gender and religious discrimination; arbitrated claims of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and FLSA.

Technology: Arbitrated contract dispute arising from sale of manufacturer of sensors that are used in tools that create semi-conductors; arbitrated contract dispute between major electronics manufacturer and computer software vendor; arbitrated dispute between major international bank and its primary software provider.

Real Estate & Construction: Arbitrated disputes arising out of multi-billion dollar initial public offering REIT transaction, including claims of fraud, breach of contract and defamation; arbitrated complex purchase and sale (“mixing bowl”) of multi-use property subject to mandatory affordable housing.

Restrictive Covenants: Arbitrated numerous cases involving claims brought by employers with against former executives and other employees for breach of non-compete, non-solicitation, confidentiality and other post-employment covenants, seeking damages including forfeiture of stock options, deferred compensation, severance and disgorgement of compensation.

Telecommunications: Arbitrated claims of breach of contract, wrongful termination and national origin discrimination brought by large U.S. dealership against large telecommunications company; arbitrated breach of contract and wrongful termination claims brought by large Brazilian-Central American distributor against major U.S. telecommunications company.

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical: Arbitrated large breach of contract claims between major insurance company and pharmaceutical dealer and distributor; arbitrated issues arising from break-up of healthcare and medical practices

Professional Liability: Arbitrated malpractice and breach of contract claims against law firms.

I have mediated hundreds of cases, including disputes between supplier and purchaser of computer technology products; financial institutions and former executive employees; religious institution and catering and restaurant vendor; retail employer, EEOC, ethnic based rights organization and former employees; real estate owner/developer and consultant/broker; and employment discrimination cases.

Experience as counsel

For 37 years, I practiced law as a civil trial attorney, and trusted advisor to large and small businesses and individuals, specializing in business, employment and international matters before federal and state courts, government agencies, arbitration tribunals and mediation forums.

Commercial/Business Transactions: Lead trial counsel for major solarium manufacturer and distributor involving claims of breach of contract and unfair trade practices in Massachusetts federal court (jury verdict for client and award of counterclaims); major tax services provider involving claims of fraud and breach of contract in New Jersey Court (jury verdict for client); liquidator of financial assets in Hong Kong in involving breach of ISDA Master Agreement New York federal court (favorably settled); investment consultant involving breach of commodities contract, fiduciary duty, securities and commodities-related claims (partial summary judgment granted and affirmed on appeal, successful trial of remaining claims).

 Employment: Lead arbitration counsel in dispute between executive employee and former employer involving claims for non-payment of salary, severance and expense reimbursement; action involving claims for unpaid sales commissions and other compensation (favorably settled); Lead trial counsel in employment discrimination/whistleblower action in Michigan federal court asserting retaliation and unlawful termination (summary judgment in favor of client); age discrimination proceeding (following trial before NYS Division of Human Rights, decision in favor of client); employment discrimination cases involving age, race, national origin, gender, disability, sexual harassment, sexual orientation.

Restrictive Covenants: Lead trial counsel in action asserting claims of breach of restrictive covenants, confidentiality agreements and fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contracts (summary judgment in favor of client; affirmed on appeal).

Real Estate & Construction: Lead arbitration counsel in AAA arbitration for United Nations Mission with general contractor, sub-contractor and architect in construction dispute (after 22 day evidentiary hearing, settled for nominal amount); ICC arbitration for British pension fund concerning claims of multi-million dollar breach of stock purchase agreement involving sale of hotel and office complex (favorably settled); AAA arbitration for partners in dispute among real estate owners/developers involving valuation of real property, constructive trust and fraud claims (following evidentiary hearing, award in favor of client); AAA arbitration among partners in real estate partnership involving valuation and buy-out of third partner (following evidentiary hearing, award in favor of client). Lead trial counsel in partnership dissolution action (following property valuation trial, decision in favor of clients); major commercial lease dispute (following bench trial, decision in favor of client).

International: Lead arbitration counsel in Stockholm Chamber of Commerce arbitration for Brazilian client against Chinese entity involving claims of failure to produce high-tech sensors conforming to specifications and counterclaims for theft of computer software and related technology (following evidentiary hearing in London, favorable award on claims and counterclaims); ICC arbitration for British pension fund concerning claims of multi-million dollar breach of stock purchase agreement involving sale of hotel and office complex (favorably settled); AAA arbitration for professional Dutch photographer against talent management company concerning contract termination and penalties (favorably settled). Lead trial counsel for owner of Argentinian jet aircraft distributor brought by prior owner alleging interference with contract and related claim (following three-week trial in New Jersey Court, decision in favor of client).

Formal Education

• New York University School of Law J.D., 1980 (Recipient of Moot Court Advocacy Award; Selected as member of Moot Court Board; Selected as member of Urban Law Clinic)
• University of Pennsylvania - B.A., 1976, magna cum laude (Urban Studies; Dean's List with Distinction)

Alternative Dispute Resolution Training

College of Commercial Arbitrators annual meetings, 2009-present; NYSBA Dispute Resolution Section annual meetings, 2010-present; AAA-ICDR/ICC/ICSID 34th Annual Joint Colloquium on International Arbitration, 2017; Judith S. Kaye Arbitration Competition, 2017; CCA 17th Annual Meeting, 2017; AAA-ICDR Council and Columbia Law School Conference: The Future of Arbitration, 2017; AAA Exploring Critical Issues in Arbitration, 2016; AAA/ICDR/Mediation.org Panel Conference, 2016; AAA, Commerce and Dispute Resolution: Goals for Justice and Trade 2015; AAA/ICDR Neutrals Conference, 2012; College of Commercial Arbitrators Annual Meetings, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010; AAA Advanced Mediator Training, 2009; ICDR Joint Colloquium on International Arbitration, 2008; AAA Neutrals Conference, 2006, 2003; AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure (ACE003), 2006; AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics (ACE005), 2006; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards (ACE001), 2003; Annual Arbitrator Update 2003, 2002; AAA Commercial Arbitrator II Training: Advanced Case Management Issues, 2002; AAA Arbitrator I Training: Fundamentals of the Arbitration Process, 2001; Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Mediation Training, 1998; New York City Bar Association, Advanced Mediation Training; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, Mediation Training.

Awards and Honors

Best Lawyers, 2010-present

New York Super Lawyers, 2012-present

AV-Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell (Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards & Legal Ability) 20+ years

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators

Certified Mediator, International Mediation Institute (IMI)

Charter Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN)

Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2017 -present)

Fellow, New York Bar Foundation (2017-present)

Board Member, New York Bar Foundation (2019-present)

Chair, New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section (approx. 1,500 members)(2015-16); Chair-Elect (2014-15); Vice Chair (2013-14)

Co-Chair, Mediation Committee of New York State Bar Association (2011-14)

Member, Executive Committee of Dispute Solution Section of New York State Bar Association (2011-present)

Member, House of Delegates of New York State Bar Association (2016-present)

Member, Dispute Resolution, International and Labor and Employment Sections of New York State Bar Association

Panel of Arbitrators of American Arbitration Association (AAA) (Large Complex Commercial, Commercial, Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions))

Panel of Arbitrators of International Center for Dispute Resolution (ICDR)

Distinguished Neutral, International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) (Franchise and Employment)

Court Appointed Mediator, U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

Court Appointed Mediator, Commercial Division of New York State Supreme Court

Court Appointed Arbitrator, Civil Court of New York City Civil Court

$675 hourly rate

Does not charge for local travel time. Confirm regarding regarding non-local travel time.