Mediator Resume

Brings a structured, disciplined, and highly experienced approach to dispute resolution, shaped by decades of handling complex, high-value matters. Approach is focused on: • Managing large, complex proceedings (in-person, hybrid, and virtual) • Early identification of key legal, financial, and coverage issues • Efficient handling of discovery and dispositive motions • Delivering clear, well-reasoned awards • Maintaining control of multi-party and high-stakes proceedings Is particularly effective in disputes involving: • Complex insurance frameworks • Multi-layer coverage issues • High financial exposure • Sophisticated commercial relationships

Case Closure LLC - Founder and Managing Director

Arbitrator, Mediator

Founder and Managing Director, Case Closure LLC, 2005 - Present; Partner (Co-Director of Risk Management Litigation), Bryan Cave LLP, 2002 - 2005; Partner (Head of Insurance Litigation), Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman, 1996 - 2002; Managing Partner, Ohrenstein & Brown, 1983 - 1996; Trial Attorney, O’Melveny & Myers, 1977 - 1979; Special Assistant Attorney General, State of New York, 1975 - 1977.

Nationally recognized arbitrator and mediator with more than four decades of experience resolving complex insurance coverage and high-stakes commercial disputes. He has served as sole arbitrator, panel chair, and panel member in over 150 arbitrations, including matters with amounts in dispute reaching $1 billion. Is particularly known for deep expertise in insurance coverage disputes across all policy types, as well as complex business, partnership, and technology-related conflicts. Background as a former law firm managing partner and insurance litigation leader (former Co-Chair of the NY State Bar Insurance Dispute Committee) provides a comprehensive understanding of both the legal and business dynamics driving disputes.

Over 450 matters mediated including: 2014 - 2025 MEDIATIONS: • Mediated fraud claims arising out of a failed Florida real property project • Mediated insurance broker liability claim related to Residual Value insurance • Mediated 14 party construction defect litigation • Mediated commercial property hurricane damage claim in Puerto Rico • Mediated claims under subcontractor's default insurance policies • Mediated insurer refusal to consent to settle a cyber-insurance claim • Mediated disputes surrounding allocation of business value to estates following the passing of a principal shareholder • Mediated multi-million dollar partnership dispute arising out of a buy-out agreement • Mediated corporate dissolution dispute where issues involved EBITDA and allocation percentages • Mediated multiple life insurance and disability insurance cases • Mediated multiple family business disputes involving sibling and parent related issues • Mediated legal malpractice matters involving issues of multi-state liability • Mediated partnership disputes in the advertising industry and also in the restaurant industry • Mediated condo owners dispute with commercial space owners • Mediated directors and officers coverage dispute involving a Federal Grand Jury Investigation against a prominent company • Mediated employment coverage disputes between insurer and brokerage company • Mediated title insurance coverage dispute involving New York City commercial property • Mediated legal malpractice claims involving land purchase agreement • Mediated claim by former employee against pharmaceutical company regarding buyout/ ownership of intellectual property • Mediated environmental malpractice claim against engineering company • Mediated environmental claim regarding toxic waste dumping in N.J. • Mediated disability coverage claims, involving attorney and also commodities trader • Mediated partnership breakup in the technology industry • Mediated partnership and joint venture disputes in real estate projects • Mediated land contamination case against co-op building • Mediated coverage dispute involving fire at industrial site • Mediated Storm Sandy property disputes and business interruption at commercial sites • Mediated Workers Comp insurance premium reimbursement disputes 2005 - 2014: • Mediated an insurance coverage dispute arising out the collapse of the World Trade Center. • Mediated a multi-million dollar dispute between a primary insurer and excess layers and , as to percentage allocation of loss for foreign-based multiple explosions. • Mediated numerous life insurance claim denials where the insurer was claiming misrepresentation in the application process. • Mediated a dispute between many layers of competing insurers as to which policies were responsible for a large personal injury loss. • Mediated life insurance benefit allocation coverage cases. • Mediated coverage dispute on an advertising injury claim. • Mediated dispute between one of the nation’s largest internet service providers and a large business customer concerning alleged breach of contractual terms for the speed of internet service and private cloud storage capacity issues. • Mediated claim by secured trade lender against former customer for misrepresentation of assets. • Mediated claim by purchasers of an office complex against sellers, regarding the viability of tenant leases. • Mediated a claim by a web-based program “reseller-licensee” against licensor regarding compliance with contractual terms involving quotas. • Mediated international merchandise industry principal-agent dispute.

1. Insurance coverage for all types of insurance policies including directors and officers, professional liability (lawyers, accountants, engineers), environmental coverage, employment practices coverage, business interruption losses; both direct and contingent, property damage, life insurance, disability insurance, title insurance and school leaders policies. 2. Officers and Directors corporate disputes. 3. Partnership disputes. 4. Ownership of intellectual property disputes. 5. Intra-family business disputes (i.e. family owned business problems; care of elderly family members disputes). 6. Buy-out agreement disputes. 7. Trade lender claims against borrowers and accountants. 8. Licensor/Licensee disputes especially in the computer related area. 9. Employment disputes regarding termination or resignation. 10. Employment disputes involving sexual harassment or age discrimination or failure to promote. 11. Business acquisition related disputes. 12. Mass tort cases involving multiple injured parties. 13. Commercial real estate disputes involving title; valuation of property. 14. Construction defect matters.

I do in-person mediations. I am Facilitative and Suggestive. Parties go to court to make a point; they come to mediation to make a deal. A good mediator will thoroughly review the material that has been supplied in the pre-mediation process, will listen closely to the parties during the course of the mediation day and based on where each is positioned, will encourage and facilitate their coming to an agreement. Over the course of the day it usually becomes clear how the dispute can be worked out, within a narrow range. I offer options and deal-making suggestions to the parties based on all the information that has been put forth. The focus should be on the fact that all the parties are at the mediation to achieve closure. A mediator’s proposal is a last resort, if necessary, but it usually does result in a settlement.

Available for in-person or hybrid arbitrations in all 50 United States and in the United Kingdom. Successfully completed Clearbrief Academy, May 2025. Fully A.I. proficient

Rutgers University School of Law (JD); New York University, (BA, summa cum laude)

Admitted to the Bar: New York; U.S. District Court: Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; U.S. Court of Appeals; U.S. Supreme Court.

Professional Associations & Recognition • Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators • Member, American Arbitration Association (AAA) • Commercial Large Complex Case Panel • Insurance Specialty Panel • Member, New York State Bar Association • Dispute Resolution Section • Insurance Dispute Resolution Committee (Founding Co-Chair) • Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals

Authored and presented extensively on: • Insurance coverage and allocation disputes • Arbitration and mediation strategy • Risk management and dispute resolution Notable topics include: • Mandatory arbitration in insurance policies • Insurance allocation challenges • Mediation strategies involving insurers • Estate and family business dispute mediation "When States Prohibit Dispute Resolution: The Use of Mandatory Arbitration Clauses in Insurance Policies" ; Dispute Resolution Journal of the American Arbitration Assn., "Solving the Insurance Allocation Dilemma," NY Law Journal "The Second Circuit Curtails Manifest Disregard," NY Law Journal “Insurance Broker Exposure; A New Day in New York”; NY Law Journal, Outside Counsel column, “The Ten Commandments for a Successful Mediation”; Litigation Management Magazine “A Twist in Standard Mediation: The Insurer is at the Table”; NY Law Journal “Mediation of Estate and Commercial Family Disputes”; NY Law Journal Panel "Chair Selection in Insurance Arbitration," American Arbitration Assn. Has spoken at meetings, conventions, and seminars around the country on ADR and insurance issues, i.e. The Claims and Litigation Management Annual Convention in New Orleans, La., March 2011; The New York State Bar Assn. Elder Law meeting, White Plains, N.Y., November 2010; The New York State Bar Assn. Dispute Resolution Section Annual Meeting, January 2009; the American Bar Assn. Insurance Coverage Section meeting in Tucson, AZ. 2007; and has appeared on radio, television and in the press, talking about risk management and insurance coverage and recovery and Structured Settlements. Has appeared on Ringler Radio on multiple occasions. Has authored articles on Insurance and Business Mediation in many publications, including the New York Law Journal and Litigation Management Magazine.

Metropolitan New York area. Parties are never charged for travel time, anywhere.

Hourly Rate: $975.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $975.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment:

English

United States of America

New York, New York