FN-2875087 MN-2875087 LN-2875087, Esq.
Arbitrator, Mediator, Senior Judge
Edgewater, Maryland
Arbitrator, Mediator, Senior Judge
Senior Judge, Self-employed, 2012-Present; Senior Judicial Fellow and Lecturer, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, 2012-2014; Circuit Court Judge (Fifth Circuit Administrative Judge and Howard County Administrative Judge), State of Maryland, 1995-2011; Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, 2010-2012; Principal Attorney/Associate Attorney, Fossett & Brugger Chartered, 1982-1995.
Immediately upon graduation from law school, joined the law firm of Fossett & Brugger, Chartered. The firm concentrated its practice in real estate and business matters. Was a trial attorney during tenure with the firm, with a strong focus on construction and business litigation. Also did a fair amount of franchise litigation, representing both franchisors and franchisees. Licensed to practice law in both the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia, including both states' federal courts. Practice included both trial and appellate litigation at the state and federal levels. After six years of practice, became a Principal of the firm and served as the Chair of the firm's litigation practice group until appointment to the Circuit Court bench in 1995.
Served as a Maryland Circuit Court Judge in Howard County for 16 years. During that time, presided over all case types (jury and non-jury) that are litigated in Maryland's general jurisdiction court. In 2002, was appointed to serve as the Fifth Circuit Administrative Judge (Howard, Carroll, and Anne Arundel counties) and as the County Administrative Judge for Howard County. Also sat by special designation several times on the Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's intermediate appellate court. After retirement from the Circuit Court bench in 2011, received statewide certification by the Court of Appeals of Maryland to sit as a Senior Judge. Was also certified as a mediator for the Court of Special Appeals' mediation program.
Served as a Maryland Circuit Court Judge in Howard County for 16 years. During that time, presided over all case types (jury and non-jury) that are litigated in Maryland's general jurisdiction court. In 2002, was appointed to serve as the Fifth Circuit Administrative Judge (Howard, Carroll, and Anne Arundel counties) and as the County Administrative Judge for Howard County. Also sat by special designation several times on the Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's intermediate appellate court. After retirement from the Circuit Court bench in 2011, received statewide certification by the Court of Appeals of Maryland to sit as a Senior Judge. Was also certified as a mediator for the Court of Special Appeals' mediation program.
Since retirement from the bench in November 2011, have conducted hundreds of mediations and arbitrations for a wide variety of case types. Mediations have included cases involving complex business and financial issues as well as construction-related claims and franchise disputes. Several cases have involved claims for damages as a result of the presence of mold contamination. Mediations have been conducted in-person or remotely.
As a Senior Judge in the State of Maryland, frequently serve as a settlement conference judge in circuit courts as well as presiding over trials (jury and non-jury). Certified as a mediator for Maryland's Court of Special Appeals appellate mediation program.
As a Senior Judge in the State of Maryland, frequently serve as a settlement conference judge in circuit courts as well as presiding over trials (jury and non-jury). Certified as a mediator for Maryland's Court of Special Appeals appellate mediation program.
Representative issues mediated include the following: business valuation, construction claims, franchise disputes, dissolution of business entities, estate disputes, complex family law cases (including complex property and business issues), damages due to mold contamination, professional malpractice/negligence, serious personal injury, employment and several federal class action cases.
My mediation philosophy is that the parties are virtually always more satisfied with the result if they have a hand in shaping the resolution of their particular disputes. In that regard, I work hard to facilitate the parties' ability to reach agreements. My approach is facilitative and, if requested, evaluative (based upon my experience). I believe the mediator's role is to help the parties clarify the issues, define their expectations, and to help them reach common ground to achieve the goal of a mediated agreement. My usual practice is to request that confidential pre-mediation statements be submitted so I can be as prepared as possible when we meet for a mediation session. Before and during the mediation, I try to identify potential resolution options so I can assist the parties in recognizing that options exist, which often includes "thinking outside of the box".
Rutgers University School of Law (JD-1982); Drexel University (MS-1976); Rowan University (BA-1974).
Admitted to the Bar: Maryland (1982-inactive) and Virginia (1982-inactive). Both are inactive due to Senior Judge status.
American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association; Women's Bar Association of Maryland.
Over the years, has authored and co-authored articles for bar association publications and has been a frequent presenter at numerous continuing legal education programs and at the Annual Meeting of the Maryland State Bar Association, including presentations on construction law and alternative dispute resolution. Additionally serves as a faculty member of Maryland's Judicial College, which sponsors continuing education programs for the Maryland judiciary. Have served as a faculty member for numerous judiciary-sponsored and bar association-sponsored ADR programs. Taught a wide variety of courses at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and, in conjunction with one such course, is the co-author of an electronic publication, "Maryland State and County Administrative Law," with the Hon. John F. Fader, II (Ret.).
Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland metropolitan areas.
$500 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Edgewater, MD
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.
