FN-2885 MN-2885 LN-2885, Esq.
Arbitrator, Attorney, Educator, Judge (Retired), Mediator
Chicago, Illinois
https://www.adr.org/videoresume?paramName=762421997
Goldstine Skrodzki Russian Nemec & Hoff, Ltd. - Partner
Arbitrator, Attorney, Educator, Judge (Retired), Mediator
Partner, Goldstine Skrodzki Russian Nemec & Hoff Ltd., 2017 – Present; Cook County Judge, The State of Illinois, 2010-2017; Partner, Hartigan & O’Connor, 2006 – 2010; Partner, Hartigan & Cuisinier, 2002 – 2006; Owner, Russell W. Hartigan & Associates, 1990 – 2000; Associate, Garbutt & Jacobson, 1978 – 1990.
JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:
Tried many civil jury cases as a judge, including commercial matters as well as cases involving personal injury, condominium law disputes, and contract matters. Appointed to civil jury call, trying and settling civil jury and non-jury cases. Employment matters consisting of A.P.A, Title VII, Discrimination, Harassment, Disability, FMLA, and Age Discrimination. Taught these subjects at DePaul and practiced in these areas.
Additional case types handled as a judge include intricate commercial litigation and arbitration matters; medical malpractice claims, insurance disputes; tort cases involving product liability and claims against large automobile companies; construction and contractor disputes for both commercial and residential buildings; insurance coverage disputes and claims involving policy issues, exhaustion of policy limits, and casualty coverage.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Practiced law for 34 years prior to becoming a judge. Experienced in handling commercial, construction and contractor disputes (commercial and residential), labor, employment, uninsured motorist matters, negligence, causality matters, and municipal Section 42 USC 1983 civil rights actions, as well as civil and federal litigation. Involved in civil trial work such as casualty, municipal defense and liability, workers compensation, and arbitration/mediation.
Attorney for over 60 civil jury trials in State and Federal court, many of which were significant and became leading cases; pre-tried many civil matters. Extensive knowledge and expertise in litigating civil matters, as counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Familiar with the commercial side of practice, regularly handling cases involving medical malpractice and wrongful death actions. Served as counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants for various personal injury claims, including matters involving insurance carriers, with emphasis on motor vehicle incidents, premises liability and workers compensation.
Handled municipal matters for the City of Berwyn, City of Evanston, Village of Schaumburg, and City of Chicago. Previously appointed to Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, on behalf of South and West Cook County.
Other matters handled as a practicing attorney include: complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters; tort cases involving product liability and claims against leading automotive companies; insurance coverage disputes and claims involving policy issues, exhaustion of policy limits, and casualty coverage; employer liability issues; and cases involving constitutional issues.
Arbitrator in well over 100 cases, both as a Judge and in private practice. Can host arbitrations and mediations over Zoom or can appear in person.
Tried many civil jury cases as a judge, including commercial matters as well as cases involving personal injury, condominium law disputes, and contract matters. Appointed to civil jury call, trying and settling civil jury and non-jury cases. Employment matters consisting of A.P.A, Title VII, Discrimination, Harassment, Disability, FMLA, and Age Discrimination. Taught these subjects at DePaul and practiced in these areas.
Additional case types handled as a judge include intricate commercial litigation and arbitration matters; medical malpractice claims, insurance disputes; tort cases involving product liability and claims against large automobile companies; construction and contractor disputes for both commercial and residential buildings; insurance coverage disputes and claims involving policy issues, exhaustion of policy limits, and casualty coverage.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Practiced law for 34 years prior to becoming a judge. Experienced in handling commercial, construction and contractor disputes (commercial and residential), labor, employment, uninsured motorist matters, negligence, causality matters, and municipal Section 42 USC 1983 civil rights actions, as well as civil and federal litigation. Involved in civil trial work such as casualty, municipal defense and liability, workers compensation, and arbitration/mediation.
Attorney for over 60 civil jury trials in State and Federal court, many of which were significant and became leading cases; pre-tried many civil matters. Extensive knowledge and expertise in litigating civil matters, as counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Familiar with the commercial side of practice, regularly handling cases involving medical malpractice and wrongful death actions. Served as counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants for various personal injury claims, including matters involving insurance carriers, with emphasis on motor vehicle incidents, premises liability and workers compensation.
Handled municipal matters for the City of Berwyn, City of Evanston, Village of Schaumburg, and City of Chicago. Previously appointed to Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, on behalf of South and West Cook County.
Other matters handled as a practicing attorney include: complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters; tort cases involving product liability and claims against leading automotive companies; insurance coverage disputes and claims involving policy issues, exhaustion of policy limits, and casualty coverage; employer liability issues; and cases involving constitutional issues.
Arbitrator in well over 100 cases, both as a Judge and in private practice. Can host arbitrations and mediations over Zoom or can appear in person.
Over 20 years of experience as a mediator. Court certified Mediator for the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Devoted entire legal and judicial career to working in the civil arena. Mediated as an independent neutral, and also have been chosen by both plaintiffs and defendants for mediation. Throughout judicial tenure, regarded as an extremely efficient pre-trial mediator, assisting attorneys and their clients to remedy pending litigation through the mediation process.
Devoted entire legal and judicial career to working in the civil arena. Mediated as an independent neutral, and also have been chosen by both plaintiffs and defendants for mediation. Throughout judicial tenure, regarded as an extremely efficient pre-trial mediator, assisting attorneys and their clients to remedy pending litigation through the mediation process.
Practices mediation with specific focus on cases related to substantial personal injury (i.e. slip and fall, etc.), wrongful death, medical malpractice, professional malpractice, municipal Section 42 USC 1983 civil rights actions, commercial disputes, construction disputes, police liability matters, and property damage.
Maintaining a sense of calm is essential in mediation. It is key to first talk all together, then separate to hopefully come to a successful resolution. It is important to remind the parties that we are here to resolve the matter, and focus not on how weak the opposing sides’ case may be, but how strong your case is; then we find a way to meet somewhere in the middle.
Strongly believe in the importance of devoting time and experience to the legal profession and local communities. Mediation provides a means for all parties to resolve issues without either party having to make a total sacrifice; mediation is about finding a middle ground to resolve a dispute, without the expending as much of the cost, time and energy it would take in court proceedings.
Strongly believe in the importance of devoting time and experience to the legal profession and local communities. Mediation provides a means for all parties to resolve issues without either party having to make a total sacrifice; mediation is about finding a middle ground to resolve a dispute, without the expending as much of the cost, time and energy it would take in court proceedings.
John Marshall Law School (JD-1975); DePaul University (MBA-1971; BSC-1970).
Admitted to the Bar: Wisconsin (2021), Illinois (1976); U.S. District Court: District of Illinois (1976); U.S. Court of Appeals (1976); U.S. Supreme Court (2018).
American Bar Association-Dispute Resolution Committee; Member-American Board of Trial Advocates; Cook County Arbitration Panel; Illinois State Bar Association (immediate past President); Member I.S.B.A. A.D.R. Section Council; Elected I.S.B.A. Representative to American Bar Association; Chicago Bar Association / Dispute Resolution Committee; West Suburban Bar Association; American Board of Trial Advocates; Northwest Bar Association; Illinois Bar Foundation – Executive Committee of the Illinois Judges Association; Wisconsin Bar Association; Current Justice-Phi Alpha Delta Law Society
Speaker and author for Illinois State Bar, including presentation of Supreme Court Rule 213 and “Sidewalk Cases and Affirmative Defenses” regarding municipal liability; other topics including effective mediation and proper cross-examination.
Lectured for West Suburban Bar at Civil Topic Seminar; Chicago Bar Seminars: Government Liability, and Objections from a Judge’s Perspective; and Allerton House Conference: New Realities of Civil Practice. Has written for I.S.B.A. on Civil Trial Topics on numerous occasions. Has lectured or written on a broad range of subjects including Jury Selection, Affidavits, Daubert/Frye Expert Disclosure, Law Office Management, Post-Trial Motions and Appeals, Civil Evidence, Rule 213, Cross-Examination, Motions and Motions in Limine and various government topics, as well as Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Law Ed series.
Speaker and author for I.S.B.A. Seminars, with recent topics such as Succession/Transition; Government Liability; Rule 213 (Allerton House Conference); and Civil Procedure and Ethics.
West Suburban Bar Seminars, Chicago Bar and NWSBA Seminars. Has written Trial Briefs; Southwest Bar Rule 213 in 2014 and Articles for Civil Practice Committee, Illinois State Bar Association. Also speaks regularly on municipal legal matters and mediation.
Currently adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School for Trial Advocacy Course and Law Office Management Course; adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University teaching Business Law and Contracts Course; adjunct faculty member at DePaul University, School for New Learning, presently teaching a course named “Court Structure and Common Law, Employer and Employee.” Also taught as adjunct faculty member at Kent Law School for Law Practice Management, also Trial Program Coach.
Lectured for West Suburban Bar at Civil Topic Seminar; Chicago Bar Seminars: Government Liability, and Objections from a Judge’s Perspective; and Allerton House Conference: New Realities of Civil Practice. Has written for I.S.B.A. on Civil Trial Topics on numerous occasions. Has lectured or written on a broad range of subjects including Jury Selection, Affidavits, Daubert/Frye Expert Disclosure, Law Office Management, Post-Trial Motions and Appeals, Civil Evidence, Rule 213, Cross-Examination, Motions and Motions in Limine and various government topics, as well as Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Law Ed series.
Speaker and author for I.S.B.A. Seminars, with recent topics such as Succession/Transition; Government Liability; Rule 213 (Allerton House Conference); and Civil Procedure and Ethics.
West Suburban Bar Seminars, Chicago Bar and NWSBA Seminars. Has written Trial Briefs; Southwest Bar Rule 213 in 2014 and Articles for Civil Practice Committee, Illinois State Bar Association. Also speaks regularly on municipal legal matters and mediation.
Currently adjunct professor at John Marshall Law School for Trial Advocacy Course and Law Office Management Course; adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University teaching Business Law and Contracts Course; adjunct faculty member at DePaul University, School for New Learning, presently teaching a course named “Court Structure and Common Law, Employer and Employee.” Also taught as adjunct faculty member at Kent Law School for Law Practice Management, also Trial Program Coach.
$250 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Chicago, IL
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.
