Practice Areas > Alternative Dispute Resolution

We prepare for ADR the way we prepare for court.
We are proficient at using the mechanisms of alternate dispute resolution and mediation to solve clients’ problems. Typically, commercial contract actions and personal service contracts contain arbitration or mediation clauses both in negotiations and in contests questioning the parties' adherence to contract terms.

Representative Cases/Reported Decisions

Roffler v. Spear Leeds & Kellogg. Affirmed a $1,250,000 arbitration award in favor of a client of a securities firm after two adverse trial court and one adverse appellate court decision reported at 13 A.D. 3d 308, 788 N.Y.S.2d 326 (1st Dept. 2004). Prevailed on standard of review of arbitration awards.

Cellier des Samsons v. Excelsior Wine & Spirits Corp., successfully vacated in Federal District Court, Southern District of New York a default judgment for $122,905 against client and then obtained, after a week’s international arbitration in Zurich, Switzerland, an award of $211,000 and dismissed all claims that had led to the default judgment. Prevailed on standards for vacating default judgment and then on practices in the wine importing industry.

Overlook Terrace Corp. v. Excel Properties Corp. Represented one shareholder of close corporation in suit against another shareholder and a corporation controlled by the other shareholder and the accountants for the corporation. Successfully interpreted the agreement between the parties and established that defendants committed corporate waste. Achieved a settlement with the accountants and a verdict for $750,000 after a two week arbitration trial before a retired New Jersey Supreme Court judge. Case was originally pending in the Superior Court, Bergen County, State of New Jersey.

Sendor v. Hammer. After compelling arbitration by court order, obtained an arbitrator’s award based on interpretation of parties’ agreement that clients owned half of magazine and were entitled to $700,000. Reported at 1997 WL 252029 (S.D.N.Y.)

Click here to read Ray Bragar and Paul Wexler’s article, “When Does an Arbitrator’s Award Manifestly Disregard the Law?” New York Law Journal (March 22, 2006)