FN-5958385 MN-5958385 LN-5958385, Esq.
Retired Judge, Attorney, Educator, Arbitrator, Mediator
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Retired Judge, Attorney, Educator, Arbitrator, Mediator
Mediator and Arbitrator, 2021 - Present: Senior Judge, Pennsylvania Courts, 2020 - 2021; Judge, Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, 1992 - 2020; Attorney, Davis & Turgeon, 1986 - 1991; Partner, Campbell, Spitzer, Davis & Turgeon, 1981 - 1985; Attorney, Nauman, Smith, Shissler & Hall, 1979 - 1981; Judicial Law Clerk, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, 1977-1979.
Over 44 years legal experience as an appellate court law clerk, practicing attorney (primarily real estate, commercial and bankruptcy), as a trial judge handing over 50,000 law matters including commercial, employment, contract, construction, real estate, negligence, personal injury, professional malpractice, products liability, insurance coverage disputes, constitutional law claims, and complex class actions by handling bench and jury trials, discovery conflicts, motions, settlement conferences.
My approach is to initially speak with the parties to review the process, my role as the “neutral” and answer their questions. I then provide them with written instructions, requesting they submit memorandums outlining their specific disagreements. Also, I provide the parties mediation behavior and attitude guidelines. I then conduct a joint session(s) to reach a resolution on issues which I believe can most easily be reached to establish trust and a positive attitude towards the Mediation process. I conduct individual caucuses to assist with resolution both prior to and during the Mediation. During the Mediation I write on a whiteboard everything that the parties agree upon and a list of outstanding issues and primary points raised by each party to provide visualization of the specific issue, permitting the parties to intellectually focus on that issue rather than regressing to emotional responses to the overall conflict, which assists the parties progress towards an overall agreement. At the conclusion I articulate their agreement and prepare a written agreement. The parties may discuss the terms with their lawyers who may provide suggested revisions or additions.
Utilize Zoom, GoTo Meeting and FaceTime and am willing to conduct hearings/conferences utilizing those platforms. Utilize Word to draft Settlement Agreements, and e-mail or texting.
Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D. - 1977; Chatham College (B.A. - 1974).
Admitted to the Bar: Pennsylvania (1977); U.S. District Court; U.S. Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania Bar Association (Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee; Pennsylvania Supreme Court Suggested Standard Civil Jury Instructions Committee, Vice-Chair and member 2004 – 2023; Plain English Committee); Lipsitt Inn of Court (Masters Member, 2011-2018).
PUBLICATIONS
Evaluating Credibility of Witnesses- Are We Instructing Jurors on Invalid Factors? Co-authored with Aldert Vrij, Ph.D., Univ. of Portsmith, UK. Journal of Tort Law Vol 11, Issue 2, pp. 231-244; Permitting Jurors to Ask Questions During Trials: One Solution to the Problem of Curious Jurors Conducting Electronic and Social Media Research, The Pa. Lawyer (Jan.- Feb. 2017) and Nat’l. Center for State Courts Jur-E Bulletin, Jan. 13, 2017; Crafting Model Jury Instructions for Evaluating Eyewitness Testimony, Dr. Francis, Dr. Loftus and Hon. Jeannine Turgeon, The Pa. Lawyer, Sept./ Oct. 2014. and Nat’l/ Center for State Courts Jur-E Bulletin, Aug. 29, 2014; Avoiding Tweeting Troubles, Facebook Fiascos and Internet Imbroglios- Adapting Jury Instructions for the Age of Social Media, The Pa. Lawyer, Sept./Oct. 2014 and Nat’l. Center for State Courts Jur-E Bulletin, Oct. 3, 2014.; Improving Pennsylvania’s Justice System Through Jury System Innovations, Prof. Eliz. Frances and Hon. Jeannie Turgeon, 18 Widener Law Journal 419 (2009)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Delivered speeches at over 200 professional meetings -Pa. Bar Assoc., PBI, Pa. Judges’ Conferences, bar associations, in addition to community organizations, schools, a college graduation ceremony and numerous community events. Most recently addressed the World Affairs Council and was a panelist at the Pa. Bar Institute 4th Annual Contracts Workshop.
Additionally spoke when receiving awards such as the Peace Keeping and Social Justice Award; PBA Plain English Committee Clarity Award; Agape-Satyagraha Award for Promoting Peace & Conflict Resolution; Harrisburg Sesquicentennial Commission Living Legacy (1 of 100); Rotary Foundation International’s Paul Harris Fellow Award; Eagleville Hospital Bd. of Directors’ Award; Chatham College Distinguished Alumna Award; Widener Law School Distinguished Service to Legal Education; Jr. League Distinguished Service Award.
Evaluating Credibility of Witnesses- Are We Instructing Jurors on Invalid Factors? Co-authored with Aldert Vrij, Ph.D., Univ. of Portsmith, UK. Journal of Tort Law Vol 11, Issue 2, pp. 231-244; Permitting Jurors to Ask Questions During Trials: One Solution to the Problem of Curious Jurors Conducting Electronic and Social Media Research, The Pa. Lawyer (Jan.- Feb. 2017) and Nat’l. Center for State Courts Jur-E Bulletin, Jan. 13, 2017; Crafting Model Jury Instructions for Evaluating Eyewitness Testimony, Dr. Francis, Dr. Loftus and Hon. Jeannine Turgeon, The Pa. Lawyer, Sept./ Oct. 2014. and Nat’l/ Center for State Courts Jur-E Bulletin, Aug. 29, 2014; Avoiding Tweeting Troubles, Facebook Fiascos and Internet Imbroglios- Adapting Jury Instructions for the Age of Social Media, The Pa. Lawyer, Sept./Oct. 2014 and Nat’l. Center for State Courts Jur-E Bulletin, Oct. 3, 2014.; Improving Pennsylvania’s Justice System Through Jury System Innovations, Prof. Eliz. Frances and Hon. Jeannie Turgeon, 18 Widener Law Journal 419 (2009)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Delivered speeches at over 200 professional meetings -Pa. Bar Assoc., PBI, Pa. Judges’ Conferences, bar associations, in addition to community organizations, schools, a college graduation ceremony and numerous community events. Most recently addressed the World Affairs Council and was a panelist at the Pa. Bar Institute 4th Annual Contracts Workshop.
Additionally spoke when receiving awards such as the Peace Keeping and Social Justice Award; PBA Plain English Committee Clarity Award; Agape-Satyagraha Award for Promoting Peace & Conflict Resolution; Harrisburg Sesquicentennial Commission Living Legacy (1 of 100); Rotary Foundation International’s Paul Harris Fellow Award; Eagleville Hospital Bd. of Directors’ Award; Chatham College Distinguished Alumna Award; Widener Law School Distinguished Service to Legal Education; Jr. League Distinguished Service Award.
$350 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Harrisburg, 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.
