Rochester, New York

As Managing Partner of Brown Hutchinson LLP, Brown provides the overall management and direction of the firm. His civil litigation practice covers all phases of civil trial and appeals. His practice is statewide in state and federal courts. His clientele is nationwide. He has also been a mediator and arbitrator on the commercial, employment and complex case panels of the American Arbitration Association since 1996.He has received many awards for his business and civic achievements, and is rated at the highest level for attorneys, AV-Preeminent, for both legal ability and ethics by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a recent past president of the New York State Bar Association.

Brown Hutchinson, LLP - Managing Partner

Arbitrator, Mediator, Attorney - Commercial and Employment Law and Disputes

Managing Partner, Brown Hutchinson LLP, 1994-Present; President, New York State Bar Association 2021-2022; Corporation Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, City of Rochester, 2015-2016; Deputy County Attorney (Civil Litigation), Monroe County Attorney's Office, 1988-1994; Associate, Nixon Hargrave Devans & Doyle (now Nixon Peabody), 1984-1988; Instructor of Law, Monroe Community College, 1992-1994; Professor of Political Science and Government, State University of New York at Brockport, 1989-1991; Minette Professor Rochester Institute of Technology 2022-2023; current teaching faculty with Trial Advocacy Workshop, Harvard Law School.

Thirty-seven years of experience in civil litigation and employment law practice. Arbitration experience in all phases of employment law and commercial disputes. Past experience serving as an arbitrator, mediator, and representing individuals and companies of all sizes and of a wide range of industry in ADR proceedings.<br/><br/>Extensive experience at all levels of state and federal courts. Past lecturer at seminars, discussing topics such as day-to-day employment issues as well as civil litigation and trial practice topics. Has attended many training seminars and workshops in areas of employment law, civil litigation, arbitration and mediation.

Mediated cases involving personal injury claims, property losses, wage loss claims, labor and employment matters, contract and commercial disputes, civil rights, police actions, municipal claims, among other disputes. Disputes over the years have involved individual claimants, corporate and institutional entities, colleges and universities, and municipal and state agencies. Litigants have come from a wide spectrum of manufacturing, service, retail, educational and financial industries. Many mediations were for pending federal court matters.<br/><br/>In addition to serving as a mediator, extensive experience as an advocate for parties in the mediation process over 38 years of active trial practice. Served as an advocate for individual clients as well as private sector businesses and governmental agencies.

A sampling of issues in cases mediated include insurance coverage, negligence and tort liability, wrongful arrest, police misconduct, extent of damages and losses, business valuations, contract interpretation, wage and hour violations, trademark violations, non-disclosure agreement violations, breach of confidentiality, breach of contract, employment discrimination, and wrongful discharge.

As the mediator I try to facilitate an environment where the parties are encouraged to discuss case facts and issues openly and honestly, in a meaningful way where the parties see value in the process itself. A good outcome is where the parties feel as if they have reached the outcome as opposed to having it forced upon them. I use creative ways to keep the parties talking and the process moving forward toward ultimate resolution. I help the parties see the case from different perspectives, including through the eyes of their opponents. I help the parties see value in wrapping up and getting back to the business and life tasks they’d rather be doing. Every mediation has its own unique qualities, and it’s essential for me as the mediator to adapt accordingly.

Possesses the latest in office technology. Also, fully proficient in all virtual hearing platforms used by legal practitioners today. Experienced in conducting efficient and effective virtual hearings at the request of parties.

University of Michigan (JD-1984); Syracuse University (BA, Political Science-1981).

Admitted to the Bar: New York (1985); US District Court: Western (1985), Southern (2000), Eastern (2000) and Northern (2003) Districts of New York; US Court of Appeals: 2nd Circuit (1993); US Supreme Court (1999).

New York State Bar Association (Past President and Finance Chair); Monroe County Bar Association (Past President); National Bar Association (Former General Counsel); American Bar Association (House Delegate); Trial Lawyers Section, NYSBA (Former Chair); Dispute Resolution Section, NYSBA; Governor’s Screening Committee, Appellate Division appointments; Rochester Black Bar Association (Past President).

Extensive writings, articles and speaking engagements on an array of legal topics. Former teaching faculty at NYSBA Trial Academy at Cornell Law School. Current teaching faculty with the Trial Advocacy Workshop at Harvard Law School. Additional speaking engagements on education related topics in capacity as Vice Chancellor of NYS Board of Regents. <br/><br/>Partial listing of publications:<br/><br/>- NYSBA Seizes the Moment, Maintains Relevance as World Changes, NYSBA Journal, June 2022<br/>- Want Diversity in the Legal System? Start by Revising Question 26 in the Bar Application, NYSBA Journal, March/April 2022<br/>- NY Bar Admissions, Criminal History Query is Unjust, Illegal, NY Law Journal, March 2022<br/>- Unprovoked Attack on Lawyers Doing Their Jobs Must Stop, NY Law Journal, March 2022<br/>- By Prioritizing Our Humanity, We Prioritize Our Profession, NYSBA Journal January/February 2022<br/>- Why All Lawyers Should Care About Education, NYSBA Journal, December 2021<br/>- Planning for a Just Post-Pandemic Future, NYSBA Journal, December 2021<br/>- Third Party Crime in the Retail and Hospitality Industry: Are You Protected? NYSBA Trial Lawyers Section Digest, Winter 2015<br/>- When is a Deal a Deal? January 2016<br/>- “Future of the Legal Profession”, New York State Bar Association, Special 2011<br/>- Reflections on a Presidency, The Daily Record, June, 2009<br/>- Should a Law School Be Built, The Daily Record, May, 2009<br/>- Upholding a Just Society, The Daily Record, April, 2009<br/>- Help Us To Increase Access to Justice, The Daily Record, March, 2009<br/>- Our Role in Our History, The Daily Record, February, 2009<br/>- Reflections on a New Year, The Daily Record, January, 2009<br/>- Fully Funding Legal Services: A Cost-Saving Measure, The Daily Record, December, 2008<br/>- 2008 MCBA Memorial Service Honors Colleagues, Friends, The Daily Record, November, 2008<br/>- The Future of the Supreme Court, The Daily Record, October, 2008<br/>- Lawyers for Learning Also Helping Us, The Daily Record, September, 2008<br/>- MCBA Receives ABA’s Harrison Tweed Award, The Daily Record, August, 2008<br/>- Reflections of the Past as We Move Forward, The Daily Record, July, 2008<br/>- Sexual Harassment: A Workplace Equal Opportunity Offense, The Daily Record, January, 2004<br/>- Erasing the Myth of Employee Rights, Pride of Rochester, 2002<br/>- Racial Profiling: Myth or Reality, Pride of Rochester, 2002<br/>- Divorce and Separation, The Frederick Douglass Voice, 1995<br/>- New York Lemon Law, The Frederick Douglass Voice, 1995<br/>- On-The-Job Injuries, The Frederick Douglass Voice, 1995<br/>- Purchasing Residential Real Estate – What to Expect, The Frederick Douglass Voice, 1995<br/>- Lawyers: Who Needs One?, The Frederick Douglass Voice, January, 1995<br/>- Employee Rights, The Frederick Douglass Voice, February, 1995<br/>- Overview of a Civil Lawsuit, The Frederick Douglass Voice, March, 1995<br/>- Rights of Landlords and Tenants, The Frederick Douglass Voice, April, 1995<br/>- Why You Need a Will, The Frederick Douglass Voice, May, 1995<br/>- Sexual Harassment on the Job, The Frederick Douglass Voice, July, 1995<br/>- Auto Accident Law, The Frederick Douglass Voice, July, 1995<br/>- Health Care Proxy, The Frederick Douglass Voice, August, 1995<br/>- “Statute of Limitations for Racial Discrimination Claims Extended in Federal District Court Decision”, The Daily Record, April, 2002<br/>- Contributor and Editor, “Legal Writing for Legal Assistants”, Hoffmann LLC, (c), 2002<br/>- Contributor and Editor, “Basics for Paralegals”, Hoffmann LLC, (c), 2002<br/>- Contributor and Editor, “Wages,” “Right-to-Know,” and “Employment of Minors”, Employer’s Guide to New York State Labor Laws, 1988<br/>- Contributor and Editor, New York Employment Law Update, 1997.

$3,500 Per Day

English

United States of America

Rochester, NY

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