Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes such as arbitration and mediation offer the possibility of resolving disputes more quickly and at a lower cost than traditional litigation. The expense and delay of the judicial process has increasingly encouraged parties to use ADR processes in lieu of traditional litigation. Mandatory arbitration provisions are included in many contracts, and mandatory mediation or other non­binding ADR procedures are so frequently required by courts that they have become part of traditional litigation.  One example is the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, which requires civil litigants to choose arbitration, mediation or early neutral evaluation (ENE) at the outset of the lawsuit. The members of the Tucker Arensberg’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Group have been involved in the growth of ADR processes for many years. Members of the group have extensive experience in all forms of ADR including:

• Prosecuting cases in a binding arbitration setting.
• Serving as arbitrators in complex commercial and construction cases as well as nursing home disputes.
• Guiding our clients through the mediation process.
• Serving as mediators in both large and small cases.
• Both serving as Early Neutral Evaluators and guiding our clients through the Early Neutral Evaluation process.
• Advising clients in nonbinding arbitration and “mini-trial” proceedings.

The ADR experience and skills of our attorneys covers a broad range of practice areas and industries including:

• Bankruptcy
• Cellular network matters
• Commercial and business issues
• Partnership, LLC member and shareholder disputes
• Construction claims
• Contracts
• Employment
• Environmental matters including CERCLA (Superfund)and state law equivalents
• ERISA
• Fair Housing and Discrimination claims
• Family Law and Orphans’ Court disputes
• Fraudulent conveyances
• Health Law
• Insurance
• Labor
• Landlord-Tenant
• Legal malpractice
• Medical malpractice
• Personal injury
• Plan confirmation and proofs of claim contests
• Preferences
• Products liability
• Real Estate including tax, boundary and mortgage matters
• Technical fabrication and engineering issues
• Toxic torts and trusts

Our substantial ADR practice includes senior litigators who are recognized leaders in mediation techniques and experienced arbitrators with track records of successful negotiated resolutions and arbitration awards. Gary Hunt is an elected member and former Board Member of The Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and the former President of the Allegheny County Bar Association. Matthew Hoffman is an AAA certified arbitrator concentrating in the construction area. Stephen Greecher is a seasoned litigator who is called on frequently to serve as an arbitrator and mediator in litigation matters. Tucker Arensberg is also fortunate to have on its team Judith K. Fitzgerald, an experienced mediator, arbitrator and former chief judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court with over 25 years of judicial experience in resolving disputes and Timothy Searer, a Pennsylvania Common Pleas Court trial judge with 20 years of experience helping opposing parties reach solutions. Jeremy Farrell mediates employment disputes and is a certified pro bono mediator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.