Brooklyn test program requires mediation in certain civil cases

02 July, 2013
The first instance state court in Brooklyn (Kings County) recently initiated a test program requiring civil cases to be mediated before proceeding to trial. The goal of the program is to alleviate some of the time and financial costs that civil litigation places on Brooklyn’s court system, which is burdened by over 50,000 cases at … Read more

Super Storm Sandy: New York’s Mediation Program Commences

08 May, 2013
In the wake of Super Storm Sandy, which caused devastation to parts of New York and surrounding areas on 29 October 2012, the New York Department of Financial Services has established a voluntary mediation process to resolve denied, disputed, or delayed insurance claims.  The first mediation sessions took place on 10 April 2013.  The program … Read more

New Texas Rule for Expedited Civil Actions

08 March, 2013
In February of 2013, the Supreme Court of Texas issued Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 169, which designs a streamlined and expedited trial process for cases valued below $100,000 (excluding actions under the Family Code, Property Code, or Tax Code).  It applies to cases filed after 1 March 2013.  Read more

Rhode Island Pension Law referred to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

15 January, 2013
A new law in the state of Rhode Island overhauling its pension plan is the focus of a dispute between the State and five public sector unions representing police, firefighters, teachers, and other government employees.  The mediation will be handled by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Allison Alcasabas (partner) and Annemarie Jones (associate) from our New York office … Read more

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Deputy Director Instrumental in National Hockey League Deal

10 January, 2013
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (“FMCS”) and its Deputy Director, Scot L. Beckenbaugh, were instrumental in resolving the recent dispute between the National Hockey League (“NHL”) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (“NHLPA”). The dispute arose in July 2012 when the NHL and NHLPA began discussing a new collective bargaining agreement.  The dispute hinged, … Read more