FN-1371294 MN-1371294 LN-1371294, Esq.
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Arbitrator/Mediator, 2019 - Present; Senior Vice President of Legal (retired), Merck, 2006 – 2019; Vice President/Associate General Counsel, GlaxoSmithKline, 1989 – 2006; Associate, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, 1984 – 1989; Assistant City Solicitor, Philadelphia City Solicitor's Office, 1981 – 1984.
Formerly supervised several legal practice groups at a Fortune 100 global corporation in the areas of litigation, government investigations, global labor and employment, consumer, manufacturing and environmental health and safety. Diverse practice spanning a wide range of matters including, but not limited to large-scale domestic and international product liability, commercial litigation, consumer and employment (wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and restrictive covenants). On the commercial side, counseled and/or supervised management of controversies pertinent to whether milestones were achieved, as well as contractual disputes arising out of co-promotion and joint R&D agreements. Throughout career amassed experience either as an advocate or case manager in matters tried before federal/state courts or domestic/international arbitration tribunals. Also handled a broad range of disputes resolved through mediation or other form of ADR.
Over the course of career, have had an opportunity as an advocate, party representative and now as a mediator, to participate in negotiated resolutions in lawsuits and claims involving product liability, commercial, consumer and employment disputes.
Bulk of experience with mediation was amassed as an advocate or party representative in mass tort, product liability, consumer fraud, breach of contract, commercial and employment cases. Work as a mediator commenced in the third quarter of 2019; began mediating disputes for the EEOC. Soon afterwards, also started mediating cases assigned by the court through the Federal ADR Program.
To obtain a sound grasp of the facts, as well as identify key issues pertinent to the dispute, I rely upon confidential mediation statements from the parties as one form of preliminary aid. In addition to providing helpful overviews of the case, they inform my thinking relative to which ADR process (i.e., facilitative, evaluative, transformative or transactional) is likely to best serve the interests of the parties. At every stage of the proceeding, I engage in active listening to understand each party's position, explore whether there are factual and/or legal issues about which the parties agree; identify respective strengths and weaknesses of each party's position; discern what is actually underlying the dispute and/or impeding resolution; and rely upon parties for their input identifying and developing options for possible resolution.
Temple University (JD-1981); Brown University (BA, American Civilization-1977).
Admitted to the Bar: Pennsylvania (1982).
Pennsylvania Bar Association; Philadelphia Bar Association; American Bar Association (Committee on Corporate Counsel, Subcommittee on Labor and Employment Law, Past Co-Chair).
"Vioxx Retrospective From Key Players in Vioxx; Why People Still Talk About The Case," McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation, May 2023. AAA-ICDR Arbitrating Domestic And International Life Sciences Disputes (Including Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Biotechnology), October 2, 2019; "The Changing Scene - Temporary Help in the Nineties," American Bar Association, March 1998; "Preserving the Confidences," American Bar Association Section of Litigation 20th Annual Meeting, January 1996.
$350 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Collegeville, PA
The AAA’s Rules provide the AAA with the authority to administer a mediation including, mediator appointment, general oversight and billing. Accordingly, mediations that proceed without AAA administration are not considered AAA mediations, even when the parties select an mediator who is on the AAA’s Roster.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
