Mediator Resume

Nationally recognized and sophisticated neutral with over 38 years of combined judicial and private ADR experience. Demonstrated success in assisting counsel and parties in resolving complex, multi-party disputes across varied subject matter areas. Ranked Band 1 in the Mediators - USA - Nationwide category by Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers to Businesses. Named by The Best Lawyers in America as Hartford "Lawyer of the Year" in the area of Mediation in 2018, 2022, 2024 and 2026; Hartford Lawyer of the Year in 2021 and 2024 in the area of Arbitration; and Outstanding Officiators Award by ALM/Law.com New England Legal Awards.

Pullman & Comley, LLC – Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group

Arbitrator, Mediator, and Retired Superior Court Judge

Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group, Pullman & Comley, LLC, 2012-Present; Connecticut Superior Court Judge, 1990-2012; Assistant Public Defender, 1987-1990; Faculty Member, University of Connecticut School of Law, 1980-1986; Staff Attorney, Connecticut Legal Services, 1978-1980.

Served for over 22 years as judge of the Connecticut Superior Court with extensive trial and mediation experience involving wide range of civil disputes. Since 2012 served as chair of firm’s ADR practice group comprised of five retired judges and attorney-mediators. Both firm and individual awards received for excellence in mediation and dispute resolution. Retained as outside counsel by the Roman Catholic Diocese, metropolitan school system and municipality and lead investigator into allegations of child sexual abuse.

Over 38 years of combined judicial and private practice experience assisting parties and counsel resolve complex, multi-party disputes. Designated by Chief Court Administrator as special settlement master in mass tort cases one involving sexual abuse of hundreds of children by hospital physician and the other involving catastrophic power plant explosion resulting in multiple deaths and devastating physical injuries. As private ADR practitioner retained by regional and national counsel to assist in the resolution of high stakes commercial litigation, C-suite non-compete disputes, products liability actions, fatal airline disasters, wrongful death claims, insurance coverage, construction and environmental disputes. Over three thousand matters, many involving eight figure claims, successfully resolved.

Corporate and business dissolutions, airline disasters, labor and employment including C-suite non-compete disputes, issues arising out of health care system reimbursement by insurance carriers, wrongful death, clerical and physician sexual abuse claims, insurance coverage, personal injury and construction and environmental disputes.

The first goal is to foster a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere which will facilitate the thoughtful exchange and consideration of the parties’ legal, factual and settlement positions. I endeavor to establish a process and methodology based on the needs of the participants with the expectation and goal of customizing the mediation process to reflect the requirements of the parties and their counsel. Many mediations, especially those involving multiple parties and claims, require pre-planning meetings to ensure that the necessary parties are present at the mediation, the scope and timing of the mediation is established and that the decision makers and funding sources are identified before the start of the negotiations. Typical protocol requires the submission of position statements and a settlement demand in advance of the mediation. It is important at the commencement of the mediation to meet individually with the parties and their counsel for the purpose of establishing confidence in the mediation process. Typically defer to the suggestions of counsel as to whether an opening session would be helpful or counterproductive. Focus is on listening carefully to the analysis and observations of the parties and counsel attempting to understand their settlement positions and the concerns that inform their settlement strategy. Comfortably providing an evaluative component to the process, while being mindful that the timing of evaluative input is critical.

Adept at using online platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and conversant with and utilize AI tools in preparation for arbitrations and mediations.

University of Connecticut School of Law (J.D.-1978); Brown University (A.B., American Studies-1974).

Admitted to the Bar: Connecticut (1978); U.S. District Court: District of Connecticut (1978); U.S. Court of Appeals: Second Circuit (1983).

Connecticut Bar Association; Middlesex County Bar Association; Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce; Connecticut Legal Services.

Ask These Questions Before Investigating Misconduct Allegations Bloomberg Law, 11/14/2025; Mediating Complex Multi-Party Disputes, ABA Dispute Resolution Magazine, 09/2024; Notes From the Judge: Keys to a Successful Mediation Connecticut Law Tribune, 04/01/2021; Alternative Dispute Resolution Mock Mediation of Commercial Landlord and Tenant Dispute, 11/04/2020; Revised Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Standards Require Municipal Police Departments to Immediately Amend Their Use of Force Policies, 06/19/2020.

Hourly Rate: $675.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $675.00/hr Cancellation: Not provided Cancellation Period: 7 Days Comment: Study and hearing rates are $675/hr. Any travel will incur a rate of $450/hr. The cancellation fee is 50% if cancellation occurs within seven calendar days of the scheduled hearing.

English

United States of America

Hartford, Connecticut