Attorney, Educator, Entrepreneur

Managing Member, Griesing Mazzeo Law, LLC (formerly Griesing Law LLC), 2010-Present; Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP, 2007-2010; Equity Member, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, 2000-2007; Litigation Chair/Executive Committee, City of Philadelphia Law Department, 1997-2000; Partner/Associate, Wolf Block Schorr & Solis-Cohen, 1986-1997; Litigation Attorney, Graubard Mollen Dannett & Horowitz, 1985-1986; Litigation Attorney/Summer Intern, Sullivan Cromwell, 1980-1985; Summer Intern, Kirkland & Ellis, 1979.

Over 40 years of experience representing sophisticated clients in business counseling, complex litigation, alternate dispute resolution, employment and government affairs, transactions, including first-chair responsibility for multimillion-dollar cases. Handled business dispute matters in the following areas: commercial transactions, securities/shareholder disputes/partnership disputes, higher education, government affairs, real estate, hospitality industry (hotels, gaming, casinos, resorts and clubs, event and meeting planning, car rentals, nightclubs, restaurants, franchises, travel, leisure, food processing and foodservice), insurance coverage, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, professional services and legal malpractice defense. Represented employees and employers in employment disputes, trade secrets and non-compete, non-solicitation and confidentiality covenants. Over 25 years of experience serving as a neutral arbitrator in complex commercial cases, employment, real estate and consumer matters. Have handled many arbitrations in person and remotely and experience handling matters involving unrepresented parties.

Served a three-year term under former Mayor Edward Rendell as litigation chair and on executive committee of City of Philadelphia's law department; served as the City's lead lawyer and negotiator on high-stakes matters involving commercial transactions, compliance, internal investigations, risk management, labor and employment, and mass torts. Advised the mayor and top officials on wide-ranging legal and policy issues, oversaw over 2,000 matters, supervised and developed 75 in-house lawyers and attendant support staff, and managed outside counsel. Held leadership roles in professional/community organizations and developed expertise in corporate governance and long-range planning. Served as advocate and neutral arbitrator and mediator in virtual litigation, arbitration and mediation and have substantial experience in handling matters online. Experience also includes teaching, writing, and public speaking on legal, ethics and business topics.

Taught at Temple University Beasley School of Law and Fox School of Business and Management; guest lecturer at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel Thomas Kline School of Law. Courses include ethics, labor and employment, business law, professionalism and law firm management and advocacy skills.

Mediated a wide array of commercial, contract, real estate, partnership, government and employment disputes. Many of these disputes have overlapping issues, such as real estate contract and partnership disputes and employment and contract disputes. On the commercial side, handled many mediations involving closely held businesses where the stakeholders are in a disagreement and the entire business is at stake. These include small and mid-size businesses, as well as some large companies in joint ventures that have faced issues. Often the parties have personal as well as business ties, making the dispute more challenging to resolve and strong emotions are involved.

Handled government mediations, including disputes between different departments within the same government branch, between individual appointed officials and their departments, between private citizens or businesses and the government, and between community groups and the government. These often involve issues of nuisance or zoning that are very important to the community members. In the real estate area, handled mediations involving disputes between partners, disputes between buyers and sellers over the condition of the property or amounts due after closing, and issues over title and zoning. In the employment area, Mediated disputes between employers and employees that include, breach of employment agreement, compensation and commission disputes and claims arising out of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.

Handled procedural issues related to whether mediation should be conducted live or remotely, how the parties should participate, who may be or must be present and what information should be exchanged in advance to increase the likelihood of reaching agreement.

Awards and Honors: Pennsylvania Bar Association, H. Robert Fiebach Award for the Promotion of Women in the Law, 2021; The Legal Intelligencer Pennsylvania Trailblazers List, 2019; The Philadelphia Inquirer Diversity & Inclusion Awards, Lifetime Achievement in Diversity & Inclusion, 2019; Women's Business Enterprise Center East, WBE Leadership Award, 2019; Ms. JD Sharing Her Passion Award, 2019; NAWBO Woman Business Owner of the Year, 2018; The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia’s Small Business Person of Year, 2018; Philadelphia Inquirer Influencers of Law Lifetime Achievement Award, 2018; Best Lawyers of the Year, Litigation – Municipal, 2012-2021, Litigation – Labor & Employment, 2013-20210, Commercial Litigation, 2019-21; Best Law Firms of the Year, Litigation – Labor & Employment 2014, 2016-2021, Commercial Litigation, 2018-21; Chambers & Partners USA Guide – Litigation: General Commercial, 2008-2021, 2016-2021; Super Lawyers – Business Litigation 2004-2010, 2013-2021; Lawline Top Women Faculty 2017-2020; Philadelphia Business Journal Best of the Bar, 2017; Philly Business Journal Soaring 76, 2017; Women’s Enterprise Magazine Top WBE CEOs, 2017; Philly Biz Executive of the Year, 2016; Client Choice Guide – Litigation, 2014-2015; SmartCEO Law Firm of the Year, 2014; The Legal Intelligencer Women of the Year, 2014; National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms MVP Law Firm, 2013; Smart CEO Brava Hall of Fame, 2013; SmartCEO Brava Award, 2012; American Bar Association Excellence in Legal Writing Award, 2007; Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction Award, 1998; Philadelphia Bar Education Center Excellence in Legal Education Award 1998; Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business, 1996; Pennsylvania Honor Roll for Women, 1996; Business Philadelphia Women to Watch, 1996.

Extensive ADR and Mediation Training

I believe that mediation is the parties’ process and that the parties themselves should be given the opportunity to be heard. Often lawyers pursue mediation because they do not feel they can convince clients of the risks of their case or feel the clients need to hear the perspective of an impartial. In my experience, mediators fill that gap. However, in order to be impactful, the mediator should develop rapport with the parties and give them the opportunity to vent and be heard. I prefer to speak with each counsel in advance to allow them to share any particular concerns or impediments to settlement so far. I prefer to take the time to build a dialogue with each party and do not rush the process or try to bully or pressure parties to settle. No rigid view as to initial statements or joint sessions as that depends on the particular case and the parties. I understand that opening statements in joint session can heighten tension especially when individuals are involved and there are personal issues, not just business issues. When in person, I provide nourishment throughout process as parties can think more clearly if they are comfortable. My goal is to try to reach a resolution through crafting a deal that the parties do not regret after the process is concluded.

University of Pennsylvania (JD, cum laude-1981); Binghamton University (BA, Political Science, magna cum laude-1978).

Admitted to the Bar: Arizona (2020), Pennsylvania (1987), New York (1982); U.S. District Court: Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.

American Bar Association; Philadelphia Bar Association (Women in the Profession Committee, Past Chair); Forum of Executive Women (Board of Directors, Past Member); Pennsylvania Bar Association (Women in the Profession Committee); Philadelphia Bar Education Center (Board of Directors, Past Member); Global Alliance of Hospitality Attorneys; Hospitality Industry Bar Association (Founding Member); National Association of Women Business Owners, National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms.

Within 50 miles of Philadelphia office.

$750 Per Hour

English

United States of America

Philadelphia, PA