Mediator Resume

Arbitrator, Mediator, Senior Judge

Senior Judge, Self-employed, 2012-Present; Senior Judicial Fellow and Lecturer, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, 2012-2014; Circuit Court Judge (Fifth Circuit Administrative Judge and Howard County Administrative Judge), State of Maryland, 1995-2011; Adjunct Faculty Member, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, 2010-2012; Principal Attorney/Associate Attorney, Fossett & Brugger Chartered, 1982-1995.

Immediately upon graduation from law school, joined the law firm of Fossett & Brugger, Chartered. The firm concentrated its practice in real estate and business matters. Was a trial attorney during tenure with the firm, with a strong focus on construction and business litigation. Also did a fair amount of franchise litigation, representing both franchisors and franchisees. Licensed to practice law in both the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia, including both states' federal courts. Practice included both trial and appellate litigation at the state and federal levels. After six years of practice, became a Principal of the firm and served as the Chair of the firm's litigation practice group until appointment to the Circuit Court bench in 1995. Served as a Maryland Circuit Court Judge in Howard County for 16 years. During that time, presided over all case types (jury and non-jury) that are litigated in Maryland's general jurisdiction court. In 2002, was appointed to serve as the Fifth Circuit Administrative Judge (Howard, Carroll, and Anne Arundel counties) and as the County Administrative Judge for Howard County. Also sat by special designation several times on the Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's intermediate appellate court. After retirement from the Circuit Court bench in 2011, received statewide certification by the Court of Appeals of Maryland to sit as a Senior Judge. Was also certified as a mediator for the Court of Special Appeals' mediation program.

Since retirement from the bench in November 2011, have conducted hundreds of mediations and arbitrations for a wide variety of case types. Mediations have included cases involving complex business and financial issues as well as construction-related claims and franchise disputes. Several cases have involved claims for damages as a result of the presence of mold contamination. Mediations have been conducted in-person or remotely. As a Senior Judge in the State of Maryland, frequently serve as a settlement conference judge in circuit courts as well as presiding over trials (jury and non-jury). Certified as a mediator for Maryland's Court of Special Appeals appellate mediation program.

Representative issues mediated include the following: business valuation, construction claims, franchise disputes, dissolution of business entities, estate disputes, complex family law cases (including complex property and business issues), damages due to mold contamination, professional malpractice/negligence, serious personal injury, employment and several federal class action cases.

My mediation philosophy is that the parties are virtually always more satisfied with the result if they have a hand in shaping the resolution of their particular disputes. In that regard, I work hard to facilitate the parties' ability to reach agreements. My approach is facilitative and, if requested, evaluative (based upon my experience). I believe the mediator's role is to help the parties clarify the issues, define their expectations, and to help them reach common ground to achieve the goal of a mediated agreement. My usual practice is to request that confidential pre-mediation statements be submitted so I can be as prepared as possible when we meet for a mediation session. Before and during the mediation, I try to identify potential resolution options so I can assist the parties in recognizing that options exist, which often includes "thinking outside of the box".

Rutgers University School of Law (JD-1982); Drexel University (MS-1976); Rowan University (BA-1974).

Admitted to the Bar: Maryland (1982-inactive) and Virginia (1982-inactive). Both are inactive due to Senior Judge status.

American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association; Women's Bar Association of Maryland.

Over the years, has authored and co-authored articles for bar association publications and has been a frequent presenter at numerous continuing legal education programs and at the Annual Meeting of the Maryland State Bar Association, including presentations on construction law and alternative dispute resolution. Additionally serves as a faculty member of Maryland's Judicial College, which sponsors continuing education programs for the Maryland judiciary. Have served as a faculty member for numerous judiciary-sponsored and bar association-sponsored ADR programs. Taught a wide variety of courses at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and, in conjunction with one such course, is the co-author of an electronic publication, "Maryland State and County Administrative Law," with the Hon. John F. Fader, II (Ret.).

Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland metropolitan areas.

Hourly Rate: $500.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $500.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: Not provided Comment: Will charge actual travel expenses if hearing is held outside the DC/Baltimore metropolitan areas.

English

United States of America

Edgewater, Maryland