Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can offer many advantages over the traditional litigation process. Weber Gallagher ADR attorneys are skilled at using alternative dispute resolution strategies to our clients’ advantage. We serve as client advocates, where we handle negotiations, mediations and arbitrations, and provide clients with informed advice; our services also include early case assessments and guidance regarding how best to resolve disputes. ADR provides efficiency, affordability, flexibility and confidentiality.
Our ADR strategies enable our clients to achieve results that further their business goals, reduce expense and delay in resolving disputes, and avoid the distractions to management that prevent them from focusing on their businesses. We routinely act as advocates in resolving disputes without lengthy and expensive lawsuits, and some of us also serve as neutral parties in arbitration and mediation matters. Weber Gallagher attorneys are experienced representing clients in arbitration hearings when necessary. However, we regularly obtain confidential resolutions for clients who prefer a less contentious option as well.
By serving as dispute resolution professionals in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, we apply that experience to assess how parties perceive their rights and obligations and to craft resolutions that reduce risk and limit liability. We work closely with clients to assess disputes at their inception.
Our attorneys are comfortable representing clients in person and remotely, as well as serving as arbitrators and mediators live and virtually. Equally skilled in ADR and litigation, we are proud of our record of protecting our clients’ interests both in and out of court. Balancing business interests and legal rights, our attorneys consider the parties’ relationship and our clients’ desired outcome.
ADR MEDIATION EXPERIENCE
Catherine De Angelis
In Cathy’s 20-year career, she has handled arbitrations (binding and non-binding), mediations, settlement conferences and settlement negotiations; resolving about 95% of client cases by way of settlement since so few actually go to trial.
Peter Espey
Through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)’s Ombudsman Services Program, Peter provides neutral mediation of issues relating to compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). He has also participated in numerous mediations and non-binding arbitrations as defense counsel.
June J. Essis
Over her 30-year career, June has represented clients in 100s of binding and non-binding mediations and arbitrations in a variety of cases including insurance disputes, transportation claims, motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases before court appointed and private mediators/arbitrators. She has successfully settled most of these matters to her client’s satisfaction without the necessity and expense of a trial.
Joseph Monteleone
Joe regularly represents clients in arbitration proceedings and mediations. He also serves as an arbitrator as an ARIAS-US certified arbitrator in reinsurer-ceding company disputes and insurer-policyholder disputes. Joe is also a CPR-certified mediator and has mediated insurance coverage disputes.
Richard S. Ranieri
Rick has 35+ years of litigating cases in every different type of ADR setting that has been created, for state and federal court matters and inter-company disputes, including binding and non-binding arbitration, mediation, AAA panel arbitrations, etc. Rick has also acted on many occasions as a mediator or an arbitrator for both court directed and for private ADR.
Kenneth E. Sharperson
Kenneth is a AAA Higginbotham Fellow (Class of 2012) and a current member of the AAA National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators. He was also appointed To the District XIII District Fee Arbitration Committee (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren Counties) by the New Jersey Supreme Court and served as Panel Chair in 2021. Kenneth has completed the following courses: ACE 22 - Process Essentials for AAA Arbitrators, 2022; AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices for New AAA Arbitrators, 2021; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards, 2021. He also has served as a Mediator for the New Jersey Superior Court Civil Division Services – Special Civil Part Settlement Program; New Jersey Municipal Court Mediation (2008-2012). Early in his career, Kenneth volunteered as a mediator in small claims and landlord/tenant court, mediating disputes in New Jersey state court. He handles New Jersey attorney fee arbitrations and ADR work for clients. As a litigator, for the last twenty years, Kenneth has mediated and arbitrated disputes ranging from $25,000 to $300 million on behalf of his clients.
Andrew B. Small
Andy has served as a mediator of attorney-client fee disputes. He has over 30 years’ experience with American Arbitration Association (AAA), National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM), Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMs), and court-sponsored mediation in the New York commercial division, as well New Jersey non-binding arbitration.
Kristen S. Swift
Kristen has participated in hundreds of alternative dispute resolution proceedings. She is a Delaware State Superior Court certified mediator. Kristen manages her cases from start to finish and has experience arguing and winning motions and winning trials. She handles construction and general arbitrations, has successfully litigated actions to modify or vacate arbitral awards, and understands the inner workings of the Delaware Uniform Arbitration Act and the Federal Arbitration Act.
Katherine Tenzinger
Katie has represented clients in both binding and non-binding mediations and arbitrations in a variety of cases including subrogation actions, motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases before the American Arbitration Association and private mediators/arbitrators. She has participated in ADR matters decided both by live argument and witness testimony as well as on document submissions alone.