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Mediator Resume
Richard H. Silberberg, Esq.
Professional Summary
Presiding arbitrator, co-arbitrator, sole arbitrator, emergency arbitrator, and joinder arbitrator for approximately 350 complex domestic and international commercial disputes, including class arbitrations and other multi-party proceedings, over approximately 35 years. Appointed as Tribunal Chair in more than 30 cases since 2018.
Chair of Arbitrator Committee of AAA-ICDR Council. Past President and current Fellow of College of Commercial Arbitrators. Member of Board of Directors (and Executive Committee) of N.Y. International Arbitration Center.
Recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA since 2019 and selected by Best Lawyers of America as Arbitration Attorney of the Year in New York in 2022.
Current Employer-Title
Silberberg Dispute Resolution LLC - Founder; Dorsey & Whitney LLP - Senior Counsel
Profession
Arbitrator, Mediator, and ADR Consultant
Work History
Independent Arbitrator & Mediator, Silberberg Dispute Resolution LLC, 2024-Present; Senior Counsel (2024-2026)/Partner (1988-2023), Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 1988-2026; Partner/Associate, Delson & Gordon, 1975-1987.
Experience
More than 35 years of experience as commercial arbitrator, mediator, and process facilitator for institutional and ad hoc dispute resolution tribunals throughout the world, including American Arbitration Association (Commercial Arbitration; Large, Complex Case; and Commercial Mediation Panels); International Center for Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation Panels); International Institute of Conflict Prevention & Resolution (Cross-Border and Franchise Panels); International Commerce Commission (Arbitration Panel); Hong Kong International Arbitration Center (Arbitration Panel).
AAA-ICDR Council (Chair, Arbitrator Committee, May 2024 to date, Member, 2021 to date); College of Commercial Arbitrators (Past President, 2017-2018; Fellow, 2007-2023); American College of Civil Trial Mediators (Fellow, 2021 to date); Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Fellow, 2021 to date); New York International Arbitration Center (Board of Directors, 2013 to date, and Executive Committee, 2013-2018, 2024 to date).
Service as arbitrator and mediator in following industry sectors: aviation; agriculture; banking & financial services; biotechnology; construction, design & real estate; corporate governance; cybersecurity; employment; energy; entertainment; food, beverage & hospitality; franchising (hotels, mobile storage, real estate syndication, restaurants, and wireless telecommunications); healthcare; hospitality; infrastructure; insurance (D&O, disability, health/medical, marine, property & theft, and professional liability); intellectual property; life sciences; media; law, accounting and other professional services; manufacturing; mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions; motion pictures; pharmaceuticals; publishing; product distribution; professional sports (baseball, rugby, soccer); technology; telecommunications; television; theater; and transportation.
More than 45 years of experience as commercial litigation attorney, the last 36 at Dorsey & Whitney LLP, including service as Policy Committee (Board of Directors) Chair (2015-2017), Member (2013-2018); Co-Chair, Firmwide International Arbitration & Litigation Group (2015-2024); Co-Chair, Firmwide Class Action Litigation Group (2013-2024); Partner-in-Charge, Firmwide Global Litigation and Advocacy Group and Member of Management Committee (2007-2012); New York Office Head (1994-1997).
Mediator Experience
Illustrative cases: physician's allegedly fraudulent billing of thousands of patients for unwarranted medical services; class action alleging national grocer's mislabeling of contents of a canned food product; alleged breach of settlement agreement resolving class action claims against national tobacco manufacturer; world-renowned entertainer's allegations of partner's failure to pay royalties; famous film director's alleged failure to pay earned commissions to business manager; managing member's alleged breaches of fiduciary duties involving LLC's ownership of commercial and residential real estate; purchaser's alleged breaches of representations & warranties and fraud in connection with sale of food ingredient business; entertainment company's alleged breach of agreement to produce concert celebrating 50th anniversary of major music festival; public and private company shareholders' allegations of breaches of fiduciary duties by companies' officers and directors; alleged breaches of limited liability partnership agreement resulting in expulsion of partner from business engaged in recruitment of financial professionals; alleged breach of national media spokesperson endorsement agreement; allegedly wrongful terminations of partners by law firms and additional disputes involving law, accounting & other professional services firms; alleged trademark infringement by rock band; alleged abuses in governance of international cultural affairs organization; investment adviser's claims for compensation under financial services agreement; alleged breach of contract for sale of parking structures; hotel operator's alleged mismanagement and breach of its fiduciary duties to hotel's owners; apparel manufacturer's alleged breach of designer's employment agreement; fashion designer's alleged breach of consulting agreement; eye wear manufacturer's alleged breach of distribution agreement; licensee's alleged breach of professional sports licensing agreement; restaurant franchisor's allegedly wrongful termination of franchise agreement; furniture manufacturer's alleged breach of joint venture agreement; publisher's alleged breach of book publishing contract; joint venture partner's alleged breach of contract, conversion, and commission of civil rights violations; telecommunications company's alleged breach of sales representative agreement; purchaser's alleged breach of earn-out provision in stock acquisition agreement; insurance company's alleged breach of agreement to compensate health care provider for furnishing overseas health coverage to its insureds; insurance company's alleged failure to indemnify insured for cost of defending proceeding alleging financial mismanagement; and multiple cases alleging employment discrimination, statutory wage-and-hour violations by employers, and civil rights violations by police officers.
References: Daniel R. Guadalupe, Esq., drguadalupe@norris-law.com, (908) 252-4274; Christopher Allegaert, Esq., callegaert@abv.com; Mitch Boyarsky, Esq., mitch.boyarsky@nelsonmullins.com, (646) 428-2619; Michael Buchanan, Esq., mfbuchanan@pbwt.com; David A, Day, Esq., ddaylaw@aol.com, (516) 466-6065; Leonard A. Feiwus, Esq., lfeiwus@kasowitz.com, (212) 506-1785; Victor Johnson, Esq., vjohnson@dykema.com, (214) 462-6477; Rudolf Koch, Esq., koch@rlf.com, (302) 651-7721; Paul H. Levinson, plevinson@mclaughlinstern.com, (212) 448-6279; Michael A. Levy, mlevy29@outlook.com, (516) 365-3000; Richard A. Mattiaccio, richardmattiaccio@outlook.com, (212) 508-2311; William O'Brien, Esq., williamobrien@eversheds-sutherland.com, (202) 220-8236; Robert J. Parks, Esq., rparks@parksandsolar.com, (619) 501-2700; David M. Pohl, Esq., david.pohl@parkerpohl.com, (212) 202-1614.
Representative Issues Handled as a Mediator
Mediator Style & Process Preferences
In my role as mediator, I strive to create a constructive and respectful environment that is conducive to enabling the parties to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution of their dispute. I adapt the logistics and procedures of the mediation to accommodate the unique facts, circumstances, and dynamics of the matter at hand in order to maximize the likelihood that the parties can achieve their respective goals. I confer with each party and its counsel prior to the initial mediation session in order to build trust and ensure that I fully understand the issues and inter-personal relationships that will impact the mediation. I encourage the active participation of the parties during the mediation process. I think it is critically important that the decision makers for each party have an opportunity to hear the other side's concerns directly from their counterparts so that both sides can better understand and appreciate the potential vulnerabilities of their respective positions and the risks of having their dispute resolved through an adjudicative process rather than by settlement. I am an active, hands-on mediator, and I try to generate creative options for resolution that will enable each party to walk away from the process feeling that it has been heard and that its interests and needs have been reasonably accommodated by the other. I approach every case as one that potentially can be settled. I never give up on a case.
Technology Proficiency
Available for in-person, hybrid, and fully remote hearings.
Proficient in conducting hearings on various online platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and others. Typically uses online platforms for preliminary hearings, motion hearings, and status conferences.
Education
New York University School of Law (JD-1975); University of Wisconsin-Madison (BA-1972).
Professional Licenses
Admitted to the Bar: New York (1976); U.S. District Court: Southern (1976), Eastern (1976), and Northern (2015); U.S. Court of Appeals: First (1997), Second (1981), Third (1991), Ninth (2015), Eleventh (1996), and Federal (1988) Circuits; U.S. Court of International Trade (1983); U.S. Supreme Court (1994).
Professional Associations
ADR ASSOCIATIONS:
American Arbitration Association-ICDR Council (Chair, Arbitrator Committee, 2024-Present, Member 2021-Present)
College of Commercial Arbitrators (President, 2017-2018, Fellow, 2007-Present)
New York International Arbitration Center (Board of Directors, 2015-Present, Executive Committee, 2015-2018, January 2024-Present)
Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (2021-Present)
Fellow, American College of Civil Trial Mediators (2021-Present)
Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, New York Academy of Arbitrators and Mediators, and International Arbitration Club of New York
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS:
Board of Directors, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
RECOGNITION:
Best Lawyers in America's Arbitration Lawyer of the Year in New York (2022); Best Lawyers in America, Arbitration and Mediation (listed 2007-Present)
Chambers USA, International Arbitrators (listed 2018-Present); Chambers Global, International Arbitrators (listed 2022-Present)
Lexology, Arbitration (listed 2024-Present)
Lexology, Commercial Mediation (listed 2011-Present)
Lexology, Legal Thought Leaders USA (listed 2024-Present)
New York SuperLawyers, Business Litigation (listed 2007-Present)
Acquisition International, Best Corporate Dispute Specialist - USA (2016)
Recent Publications & Speaking Engagements
PUBLICATIONS:
Co-Editor (with Theo Cheng), Chapter on Preliminary Hearings, CCA Best Practices in Commercial Arbitration, 5th ed., Juris Publishing, 2025; Author, "Single-Neutral, Dual-Role Processes-Workable or Worrisome Redux," American Arbitration Association, MEDIATION MAGAZINE, November 2026; Co-Author, "Debunking Misperceptions: The Upsides of Commercial Arbitration," American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, LITIGATION JOURNAL, Vol 47, No. 4, Summer 2021, reprinted in American Arbitration Association, DISPUTE RESOLUTION JOURNAL, 2022; Co-Author, "Arb-Med: Workable or Worrisome," New York State Bar Association, NEW YORK DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAWYER, 2019; Co-Author, "It Is Never Too Late to Arbitrate," New York State Bar Association, NEW YORK DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAWYER, 2018; Co-Author, "McLaughlin v. American Tobacco Co.: Raising the Bar Even Higher for Fraud-Based Consumer Class Actions," ANDREWS LITIGATION REPORTER, August 2008; Co-Author, "Product Defect Suits and Failure to Manifest," NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL, May 2008; Author, "Antitrust Injury in Dealer Termination Cases: One Standard or Two?" American Bar Association, Antitrust Law Section, April 26, 2002; Co-Author, "'Morris' Fortifies the Corporate Veil," NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL, April 12, 1994.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS (2022-2026):
Panelist, "Evaluating Mediation and Other Non-Adjudicative Processes to Resolve Global Commercial Disputes, AAA Panel Conference, Dallas Texas, March 2025; Faculty, AAA-ICDR Core Mediation Training, 2025-2026; Moderator, CCA Summit II, Washington, D.C., June 2025; "Evaluating Mediation and Other Dispute Resolution Continuum Processes in Resolving International Commercial Disputes," California International Arbitration Week, San Francisco, California, March 2024; "The Power of ADR: Resolving Hospitality Disputes," AAA, November 2023; "International Mediation and Other Forms of ADR in the Americas: Developments and Challenges," ICDR Americas Conference, Mexico City, Mexico, September 2023; Faculty, Commercial Arbitration Training Program, New York State Bar Association ("NYSBA") Dispute Resolution ("DR") Section, June 2023-2024; "Well Managed Preliminary Hearings," AAA-ICDR Neutrals Conference, Rancho Mirage, California, March 2023; "Cutting Edge Topics in Commercial Arbitration," AAA and New York Law School, April 2023-April 2026; "What You Need to Know About Arbitrator Selection," ABA" Business Law Section, March 2023; ABA Arbitration Training Institute, March 2023; ABA Advanced Mediation Skills & Advocacy Institute, December 2022; "Don't Just Go Through the Motions: How to Increase Your Chances of Obtaining Relief Through Motions in Arbitration," CCA and Juris Publishing, September 2022; "Sleepless Nights: How Arbitrators Deal with Tricky Situations," Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, June 2022.
OTHER SPEAKING ENGAGEMMENTS (2018-2021):
"How To Win Your Case at the Preliminary Hearing," CCA and Juris Publishing, October 2021; "Lessons Learned from Remote Proceedings," Garibaldi Inn of Court for ADR, September 2021; "Virtual Arbitration and Mediation of Complex Cases: Lessons Learned," Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center, 2020; "No Risk, No Reward-How Creativity, Resourcefulness and Confidence Can Change the Face of Resolving Disputes," ABA, April 2019; "Mediation Advocacy," NYSBA, March 2019; "A Delicate Balance: Arbitrating Your Client's Complex Commercial Case Without Sacrificing Speed, Efficiency and Cost Savings," ABA, 2019; "Administered v. Ad Hoc Arbitration: Procedural Dilemmas for the Arbitrator in Complex Cases," AAA and Practical Law/Thompson Reuters, September 2018; "Ethical Issues in Arbitration and Med/Arb: Problems and Ethical Cures," ABA, May 2018.
PODCASTS
Host, CCA Arbitration Talk, Official Podcast of College of Commercial Arbitrators, 2025-2026
Locations Where Parties Will Not be Charged for Travel Expenses
New York Metropolitan Area.
Compensation
Hourly Rate: $1,050.00
Daily Rate: Not provided
Study Rate: $1,050.00/hr
Cancellation: Not provided
Cancellation Period: Not provided
Comment: Requests reimbursement of travel expenses (but not travel time) incurred in attending hearings outside of New York Metropolitan area.
Languages
English
Citizenship
United States of America
Locale
New York, New York
