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Alternative Dispute Resolution

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Dispute resolution in forums other than the courts has been commonplace for decades. More recently, with court closures due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, ADR processes have grown exponentially. Not only does ADR offer parties a way to resolve their disputes using an impartial third party, but it can be done virtually, saving time and significantly reducing costs incurred through traditional litigation.

A number of Shipman lawyers serve as impartial third-party arbitrators and mediators. In particular, Joette Katz was a Superior Court Judge before being elevated at age 39 to the State Supreme Court where she served as an Associate Justice for 18+ years. During her tenure, Justice Katz heard approximately 2,500 cases and authored nearly 500 opinions. Justice Katz also served as the Administrative Judge for the State of Connecticut Appellate System.  She retired from the Supreme Court to serve as the Commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families for eight years.  Another member of our team, Bob O’Brien, a partner in the firm’s Real Estate, Environmental, Land Use and Construction practice group, serves on the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Arbitrators and is frequently selected as a mediator, principally in construction disputes. Other members of our ADR team also act as neutrals for mediations and arbitrations.

We regularly represent clients in arbitrations and mediations in matters with the AAA, JAMS, and other ADR organizations. We also have significant experience handling international arbitrations for clients, including matters before the ICDR, ICC and LCIA.  We also have extensive experiencing applying the UNCITRAL rules depending on the particular body.  Similarly, they have considerable experience handling arbitrations and mediations involving employment and labor matters before the CHRO, the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration, the State Board of Labor Relations, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Examples of areas in which we have helped our clients resolve disputes effectively through all stages of ADR, including pre-litigation, litigation, and post-trial, include:

  • Antitrust
  • Business/Commercial Disputes
  • Construction
  • Education
  • Environmental
  • Insurance Defense Disputes
  • Intellectual Property
  • Labor and Employment
  • Land Use
  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain Disputes
  • Real Estate Disputes
  • Securities
  • Toxic Tort

Examples of areas in which we have helped our clients resolve disputes effectively through all stages of ADR, including pre-litigation, litigation, and post-trial, include:

  • Antitrust
  • Business/Commercial Disputes
  • Construction
  • Education
  • Environmental
  • Insurance Defense Disputes
  • Intellectual Property
  • Labor and Employment
  • Land Use
  • Manufacturing and Supply Chain Disputes
  • Real Estate Disputes
  • Securities
  • Toxic Tort

Related Practices

  • Business and Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation

Experience

Mergers, acquisitions & joint ventures

Business Divorce

Successfully navigated and achieved a business divorce and liquidity event on behalf of the leading principals of a well-known privately held athletic facility, by structuring and implementing an exit strategy on favorable terms for the selling members, despite complicated provisions in the various entities’ operating agreements and other factors that made it very difficult for the clients to exit the business.

General

Favorable Settlement of Sherman and Clayton Act Claims on Behalf of an International Toy Manufacturer in an MDL Case in New York Federal Court

Over 30 lawsuits were filed nationwide by state attorneys general, groups of consumers seeking class action status, individual companies, and individual consumers alleging widespread antitrust violations under the Sherman and Clayton Acts. Our client, an international toy manufacturer, obtained one of the most favorable settlements.

Complex Wrongful Distributor Termination Claim

National Manufacturer of Electrical Equipment

Reached an innovative mediated settlement of complex wrongful distributor termination claim on behalf of national manufacturer of electrical equipment.

Insights

Publications

February 26, 2024

Litigation and Dispute Resolution Laws and Regulations USA - Connecticut, 2024

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March 9, 2023

International Comparative Legal Guide to Litigation and Dispute Resolution 2023

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News

February 3, 2020

Andrew Zeitlin Elected Board President of Boys & Girls Club of Stamford

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January 14, 2019

Former Connecticut Associate Supreme Court Justice Joette Katz Joins Shipman & Goodwin

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Primary Contacts

Joette Katz Head Shot
Joette Katz

Partner

203.324.8147

jkatz@goodwin.com
Bob O'Brien bio photo
Robert J. O'Brien

Partner

860.251.5789

robrien@goodwin.com
See All Related Professionals
  • Mediators

    Joette Katz

    Robert O'Brien

    Dan Schwartz

  • Arbitrators

    Gabe Jiran

    Peter Murphy

    Robert O’Brien

    Diane Polletta

    Dan Schwartz

    Sarah Westby

     

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