Mediator Resume

Highly experienced retired New Jersey judge with 20 years of judicial experience spanning the Family, Civil, and Municipal Divisions. Proficient in transactional matters, real estate, commercial litigation, insurance coverage disputes, aviation claims, probate and estate administration, estate litigation, divorce, parenting time mediation, and domestic violence matters. Established attorney/mediator and consumer mediation panels for the Special Civil Landlord-Tenant Division. Prior career as a 20-year solo practitioner, municipal prosecutor, and judge. Acting Presiding Judge of the Essex Civil Division for four years, handling civil commitment orders, case assignment and processing, and day-to-day divisional operational management.

Essex Mediation & Conference Center - Owner and Mediator

Mediator; Retired Judge

Owner/ Mediator, Essex Mediation & Conference Center, 2026-Present; Judge, New Jersey Superior Court, 2015-2026; Judge, New Jersey Municipal Court, 2006-2015; Owner, Bridget A. Stecher Law Office, LLC, 2001-2015; Partner and Owner, O'Connor and Stecher, Esqs., 1997-2001; Municipal Prosecutor, Township of West Caldwell, 2004-2006; Broker-Salesperson, Arcadia Realtors, 1987-1995; Management Scientist and Systems Analyst, American Cyanamid Corporation, 1982-1986; NJ State Law Enforcement Planning Agency, 1977-1978; Director of NJ Sentencing Guidelines Project (funded by the National Institute of Justice), Rutgers University Research Center, 1978-1981.

Engaged for 30 years in the practice of law as an attorney, with 20 years of judicial experience at the New Jersey Superior and Municipal Court level. Represented clients in every aspect of resolving divorce, domestic violence and parenting disputes, landlord-tenant matters, real estate litigation, habitability and financial issues, vehicle accident litigation, insurance coverage and subrogation, lien law, product liability, aviation and civil disputes. Resolved Open Public Records Act litigation and managed the New Jersey Essex County Arbitration Division for six years. Established the first Bench/Bar Special Virtual Civil Mediation program (expanding prior mediation programs) with the shared goal of resolving almost 20,000 COVID backlog cases and mentoring young attorneys in volunteer client representation.

Since commencing judicial and subsequent mediation career, has successfully resolved several hundred cases on the Essex and private dockets, including personal injury, wrongful death claims, estate litigation, professional fee disputes, professional liability claims, divorce litigation issues, divorce asset valuation and division, parenting time negotiation and allocation. Continue to serve on the NJ Superior Court Civil Division Quarterly Case Mediation Panels.

Personal Injury matters resulting from motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, real estate construction accidents, data center electrical malfunctions, aviation litigation and insurance coverage issues. Divorce litigation resolving pension valuations, asset valuations, division of personal property. Proficient in divorce litigation, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, parenting time disputes and domestic violence parenting time assessment and parenting time supervision issues.

Skilled mediators establish at the onset that the mediator does not represent any particular party, but has a sole interest in assisting counsel and the parties to move toward settlement, recognizing the strengths and deficiencies of each side’s case, without judgment, and facilitating the parties to gain perspective leading to the matter's resolution. The mediator’s personal preferences or opinions are not relevant to resolving a matter; in fact, it is imperative that the mediator act as a facilitator, evaluating each party's position regarding the possible outcome of the case to foster settlement. Mediations may be requested by email or telephone, followed immediately with a retainer agreement signed by counsel. An advance conference prior to the actual mediation is usually not required. After retention, and at least seven days before the scheduled mediation, I request that each party submit (by email unless there are voluminous exhibits) confidential mediation statements, inclusive of any history of prior mediation, settlement offers and counteroffers. I also request permission from the parties to review the court pleadings and the court docket case summary. Mediation sessions begin with a group session to enlighten the parties about the purpose of mediation, how it generally proceeds, and what to expect as the process moves forward. The litigants are given a verbal summary of the facts as advised by counsel and the litigants. The mediation process is explained, as well as what may be expected to occur in the court system when the mediation is successful. Finally, I explain my legal experience, and to build trust with the litigants, I inform them of my familiarity with cases such as theirs.

Mediations may be conducted either in person on site at the mediator's office (lunch provided), or via Zoom, at the choice of counsel. As a Mediator and former Judge, is proficient at operating general sessions, break-out rooms, or virtual conference rooms as may be necessary.

Rutgers University, School of Law (J.D. - 1995); Rutgers University, School of Criminal Justice (M.A. - 1980); Montclair State University (B.A., Magna Cum Laude - 1976).

Admitted to the Bar: Supreme Court of New Jersey (1995). New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators (2003, 2025-Present). National Association of Realtors (1987 - Present - Broker/Salesperson).

New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators – 2003, 2025-Present; New Jersey State Bar Association – 2000 – Present; Essex County Bar Association – 2000 - Present (Vice-Chairperson & Co-Chairperson, Task Force on Women in the Profession - 2003-2006); American Bar Association – 2000 – Present; Essex County Municipal Court Judge's Association – 2006 – Present (President, 2013-2015; Vice President, 2011-2012; Secretary, 2009-2010); National Association of Realtors -1987 – Present; New Jersey Association of Realtors & Garden State MLS William J. Brennan / Arthur T. Vanderbilt Inn of Court, 1996-1998, 2016-2025.

Hourly Rate: $600.00 Daily Rate: Not provided Study Rate: $600.00/hr Cancellation: $500.00/Day Cancellation Period: 7 Days Comment: Provided the mediator is notified of the cancellation prior to document review and at least seven days prior to the scheduled hearing, there will be a one-time charge of $500.00.

English

United States of America

Fairfield, New Jersey