FN-6199186 MN-6199186 LN-6199186, Esq.
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Morristown, New Jersey
A litigator with over 30 years of experience as both outside and inhouse counsel, background in accounting and auditing, and extensive experience in ADR having served in all the key roles in the ADR process – mediator or arbitrator, counsel for a party and as a party representative. Representative matters include professional negligence claims, breach of complex commercial contracts, securities and common law fraud claims, and business torts. Matters in dispute involved damages claims ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to more than $3 billion.
Attorney, Arbitrator, Mediator
Member, Barrett Dispute Resolution LLC, 2023-Present; Principal/Associate General Counsel (2011-2023)/ Assistant General Counsel (2003-2011), Ernst & Young LLP, 2003-2023; Litigation Attorney, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, 1992-2003; Staff Auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP, 1986-1989.
Prior to Barrett Dispute Resolution LLC, during a 20-year career at Ernst & Young was extensively involved in civil litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance and advising firm professionals. In the role of internal counsel, successfully resolved dozens of lawsuits, pre-suit claims, and government investigations through direct negotiation and mediations, and when necessary, through arbitral hearings or jury or administrative trials. Those matters arose from accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services delivered by the firm to clients in all industries. The matters involved claims for breach of contract, professional negligence, securities and common law fraud, government contracting, federal and state regulatory compliance, professional licensing issues, business torts, partnership and employment issues and other claims, in which claimed damages ranged from tens of thousands of dollars to more than $3 billion.
At Hughes Hubbard, among other areas, represented clients involved in complex commercial cases including professional negligence, product liability, commercial contractual disputes, government contracting, and investigations. Career highlights at Hughes Hubbard include serving on a legal team that represented a client before the U.S. Supreme Court and working on several matters adjudicated before international tribunals.
At Arthur Andersen worked as a staff auditor in the practice group serving clients in the financial services industry, including broker dealers and banks. While at Arthur Andersen attained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license prior to attending law school.
Board membership experience includes the Morris Township New Jersey Planning Board (2022 – Present), the Equal Justice America (EJA) Advisory Board (2024-Present), and the Cornell University Council (2020-Present).
At Hughes Hubbard, among other areas, represented clients involved in complex commercial cases including professional negligence, product liability, commercial contractual disputes, government contracting, and investigations. Career highlights at Hughes Hubbard include serving on a legal team that represented a client before the U.S. Supreme Court and working on several matters adjudicated before international tribunals.
At Arthur Andersen worked as a staff auditor in the practice group serving clients in the financial services industry, including broker dealers and banks. While at Arthur Andersen attained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license prior to attending law school.
Board membership experience includes the Morris Township New Jersey Planning Board (2022 – Present), the Equal Justice America (EJA) Advisory Board (2024-Present), and the Cornell University Council (2020-Present).
As a mediator have handled disputes involving the following substantive claims:
• Accountants’ liability: claim for professional malpractice in connection with the provision of tax services
• Complex commercial contract claims including claims for breach of an agreement to repurchase securities/ownership interest in a business, breach of a license agreement to utilize commercial space with crossclaim against a guarantor, and the breach of a promissory note for services relating to producing a major music festival
• Common law fraud claim in connection with entering into a complex commercial contract
• Misappropriation of assets
• Consumer fraud claims
• Claims for services rendered
• Property damage claims
• Accountants’ liability: claim for professional malpractice in connection with the provision of tax services
• Complex commercial contract claims including claims for breach of an agreement to repurchase securities/ownership interest in a business, breach of a license agreement to utilize commercial space with crossclaim against a guarantor, and the breach of a promissory note for services relating to producing a major music festival
• Common law fraud claim in connection with entering into a complex commercial contract
• Misappropriation of assets
• Consumer fraud claims
• Claims for services rendered
• Property damage claims
Representative matters handled as a mediator include the following:
• Accountants’ liability: claim for professional malpractice in connection with the provision of tax services
• Complex commercial contract claims including claims for breach of an agreement to repurchase securities/ownership interest in a business, breach of a license agreement to utilize commercial space, and the breach of a promissory note for services relating to producing a major music festival
• Common law fraud claims in connection with entering into commercial contracts
• Employment claims based on laws against discrimination
• Misappropriation of assets
• Consumer fraud claims
• Claims for services performed
• Claims to recover for property damage
• Accountants’ liability: claim for professional malpractice in connection with the provision of tax services
• Complex commercial contract claims including claims for breach of an agreement to repurchase securities/ownership interest in a business, breach of a license agreement to utilize commercial space, and the breach of a promissory note for services relating to producing a major music festival
• Common law fraud claims in connection with entering into commercial contracts
• Employment claims based on laws against discrimination
• Misappropriation of assets
• Consumer fraud claims
• Claims for services performed
• Claims to recover for property damage
Possess a naturally calm demeanor and project control that will provide a high level of comfort to the parties. An active listener who will remain neutral and non-judgmental throughout the process. Skilled at facilitating discussion among all the key stakeholders without overpowering the conversation. At the right time will not hesitate to offer an evaluation of the information provided and think and act logically and fairly towards all the parties involved. Where appropriate, will offer creative solutions unavailable through a more formal process.
Proficient conducting arbitrations, mediations and related conferences via Zoom or MS Teams platforms.
Cornell University Law School (JD-1992); Baruch College (BBA, Accounting-1986).
Admitted to the Bar: New York (1993), District of Columbia (1994); U.S. District Court: Eastern District of New York (2023); U.S. Supreme Court (2012).
Member of the New York, New Jersey and District of Columbia Bar Associations; New York State Bar Association – Dispute Resolution Section; New Jersey State Bar Association – Dispute Resolution Section; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York Mediation Panel; New York County Supreme Court, Commercial Division Mediation Roster; New Jersey Superior Court – Statewide Roster of Mediators for Civil, General Equity and Probate Cases; New Jersey Superior Court – Mediator; Complementary Disputes Resolution Program (CDR); and Arbitrator – New York County Lawyers Association Fee Dispute Program.
ALI-CLE Conference on Accountants Liability 2017, Panel on Emerging Challenges Facing the Profession. Topic, “Alternative Dispute Resolution: Strategies for Meaningful Engagement” (Washington, DC - October 26, 2017).
$550 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Morristown, NJ
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.
