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  • May 04, 2021The Mediation Process, an Advocate’s Model for Mediating

    The Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, will co-present the webinar, “The Mediation Process, an Advocate’s Model for Mediating,” with Christopher Kriesen, Esq, founder of The Kalon Law Firm LLC, hosted by the Bar Association of Lehigh County.

    The Mediation Process

    Discussion topics will include:

    • Virtual mediation tactics
    • Choosing a mediator
    • Preparing for a mediation
    • Mediation technology

    When: Friday, May 14, 2021

    12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    Register for Norris McLaughlin, Attorneys at Law, Legal Events in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

    To register, please email cle@lehighbar.org.

    This program costs $15, and participants will receive 1 substantive credit.

    About Judge Giordano

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative Judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans’ Court. He was also the first Judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

    For fifteen years, Judge Giordano served as judge for many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and Federal Law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    Judge Giordano is Vice-Chair of the Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He is a Diplomate Member for mediation for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Judge Giordano serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Guardianship Certification. He is also a member of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society and the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, Judge Giordano was the first judicial recipient to receive the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victim’s Rights. He was also a recipient of the Bethlehem Catholic High School Distinguished Graduate Award. Judge Giordano received the Title IX Hearing Chairs Certification and Title IX Hearing Officer & Decision-Maker Certification from the Association of Title IX Administrators.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Events, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation | Tags: , ,

  • Mar 04, 2021Ask the Arbitrators

    The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, will co-present the webinar, “Ask the Arbitrators,” for the Annual Public Employer Labor Relations Advisory Service (PELRAS) 2021 Web Conference, hosted by the Pennsylvania Municipal League.

    About the PELRAS “Ask the Arbitrators” Program

    The Annual PELRAS Web Conference, being held March 17-19, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., boasts programs addressing the following topics:

    • Attorney Disciplinary Process
    • Bargaining in a COVID-19 World
    • Civility Ethics
    • COVID-19, Black Lives Matter, and Other Developments in 2020 That Have Impacted Employment
    • Cybersecurity
    • Drug Testing in the Age of Medical Marijuana
    • Legal Issues in Electronic Monitoring/Surveillance of Employees
    • Reducing Pension Costs
    • Social Media

    Judge Giordano, along with a panel of other arbitrators and attorneys, will review real-life, red-light and green-light case scenarios.

    When: Wednesday, March 17, 2021

    3:20 – 4:50 p.m.

    Register for Norris McLaughlin, Attorneys at Law, Legal Events in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania

    • Member Rate First Attendee: $165
    • Member Rate Each Additional Attendee: $130
    • Non-Member Rate: $525

    About the Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.)

    Judge Giordano focuses his practice on estate and commercial litigation, and mediation and arbitration.

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative Judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans’ Court. He was also the first Judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

    For fifteen years, Judge Giordano served as the judge for many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and Federal Law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation, is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, and is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation. He serves as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

    Judge Giordano is a Diplomate Member for mediation for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He is Vice-Chair of the Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Judge Giordano also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Guardianship Certification and on the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Events, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation | Tags: , ,

  • Mar 03, 2021Judge Giordano Presents Virtually for the Society of Settlement Planners

    The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, recently presented “Judiciary Panel: Planning from The Court’s Perspective” and “Working with Ad Litem and Elder Law Attorneys” for the Society of Settlement Planners 2021 Annual Conference, held virtually this year, February 23-25.

    “Preparation is key to any successful legal encounter. It was my pleasure to speak with the members of the Society of Settlement Planners to better assist in that process,” said Judge Giordano.

    About the Society of Settlement Planners 2021 Annual Conference

    The judiciary panel, held February 24, featured judges and mediators, who discussed their experiences with settlement planners. They addressed the settlement plans they are more likely to approve, such as straight blended planning options rather than structured settlement plans; how planners can be better advocates for plaintiffs in these settings; and how they can better communicate with judges about the importance of a balanced plan and settlement protection.

    The elder law presentation, held February 25, covered how planners can expand their network by working with court-appointed guardians, how guardians arrive at a determination and apportionment of the settlement, and what happens when a guardian overrules the wishes of the plaintiff and the family.

    About Judge Giordano

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative judge of the Orphans’ Court County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county; and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans’ Court. He was also the first judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

    For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation. He is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators; is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation; has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as a Diplomate Member for mediation; and has been selected to serve as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

    Judge Giordano serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Guardianship Certification, the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame CYO, and the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society. He is a recognized member of the Justinian Society of Philadelphia and is the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, he was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victims’ Rights. On January 1, 2020, Judge Giordano was designated Vice-Chair of the statewide Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

    Judge Giordano earned his J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 1985 and his B.A. from Moravian College in 1982. A proud Moravian College alumnus, he serves as an Adjunct Professor for undergraduate classes.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Elder Care & Special Needs Law, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation, News | Tags: , , ,

  • Oct 01, 2020How to Become a Neutral

    The Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, will be a panelist for the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee Lunch Time Learning Program, “How to Become a Neutral.”

    How to Become a Neutral

    This program boasts a panel of mediators and arbitrators who will talk to participants about their career paths and how they became neutrals. Judge Giordano will be joined by Mary Kate Coleman, Sunu Pillai, and Selina Shultz.

    When: Tuesday, October 13, 2020

    Registration for PBA Members: pabar.org

    About Judge Giordano

    Judge Giordano focuses his practice on estate and commercial litigation, and mediation and arbitration. As an arbitrator and mediator, he is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation, is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, and is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation. Judge Giordano serves as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative Judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans’ Court. He was also the first Judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens. For fifteen years, Judge Giordano served as judge for many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and Federal Law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    Judge Giordano is Vice-Chair of the Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He is a Diplomate Member for mediation for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He is also a member of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society and the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, Judge Giordano was the first judicial recipient to receive the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victim’s Rights. He was also a recipient of the Bethlehem Catholic High School Distinguished Graduate Award.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Events, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation | Tags: , ,

  • Aug 10, 2020Judge Giordano Appointed Chair of Northampton County Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Ad Hoc Committee

    The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, has been appointed the Chair for the newly-created Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Ad Hoc Committee within the Northampton County Bar Association.

    “More than ever, attorneys must now utilize creative and efficient alternatives to traditional litigation when assisting clients with legal disputes. It is our duty to teach the effective use of ADR as a path outside of traditional litigation to bring about a faster way of achieving results,” said Judge Giordano.

    About the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

    What might have been characterized as the typical or routine delays built into a legal dispute may be now exacerbated by new delays as our courts address the complications of a national pandemic leaving parties waiting longer and longer for their day in court. Forums for mediation or arbitration can move quickly over several weeks, providing relief to the disputing parties and enabling them to get back to their lives and businesses.

    The Special Ad Hoc Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution will focus on initiatives and education aimed at most effectively bringing ADR techniques and proceedings to bear on legal disputes to help avoid costly and time-consuming traditional litigation. The first meeting for this committee will be held Tuesday, August 11, at 8:00 a.m. on Zoom. If you are interested in joining this committee, please email Mary Beth at marybeth@norcobar.org to register and to receive the meeting login information.

    About Judge Giordano

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans Court. He was also the first judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

    For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation. He is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators; is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation; has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as a Diplomate Member for mediation; and has been selected to serve as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

    Judge Giordano is a member of the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame CYO, and of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society; and is the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, he was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victims’ Rights. On January 1, 2020, Judge Giordano was designated Vice-Chair of the statewide Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

    Judge Giordano earned his J.D. in 1985 from Villanova University School of Law and his B.A. from Moravian College in 1982. A proud Moravian College alumnus, he serves as an Adjunct Professor for undergraduate classes. Born in Brooklyn to Italian immigrant parents, Judge Giordano was the first in his family to attend high school and is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School, which presented him with its Distinguished Graduate Award.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), News | Tags: ,

  • Jul 20, 2020Trial Lawyers Section: Mediation Practice Tips

    The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, will be a panelist for the Montgomery Bar Association’s webinar, “Trial Lawyers Section: Mediation Practice Tips.”

    Mediation Practice Tips

    Discussion topics will include:

    • Pre-mediation submissions
    • Joint session statements
    • Client expectations
    • Useful negotiation tactics
    • Mediator recommendations
    • Follow-up strategies

    When: Thursday, August 20, 2020

    noon – 1:00 p.m.

    Registration: montgomerybar.org

    • Law Student: $14.50
    • Paralegal: $14.50
    • Member – No CLE Credit: $14.50
    • Member: $30.00
    • Non-Member: $50.00

    1 CLE credit is pending.

    About Judge Giordano

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans Court. He was also the first judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

    For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation. He is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators; is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation; has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as a Diplomate Member for mediation; and has been selected to serve as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

    Judge Giordano is a member of the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame CYO, and of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society; and is the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, he was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victims’ Rights. On January 1, 2020, Judge Giordano was designated Vice-Chair of the statewide Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Events, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation | Tags: , ,

  • Jul 15, 20202020 Pennsylvania Defense Institute Annual Conference and Continuing Legal Education

    The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, will be a panelist for the 2020 Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI) Annual Conference and Continuing Legal Education’s “Mediation” program.

    About the Pennsylvania Defense Institute Conference

    In addition to the six CLE credits, participants can enjoy the many networking opportunities at the mixers, breakfast, golf, lunch, awards ceremony, and president’s reception and dinner. Other continuing legal education (CLE) program topics include:

    • Emerging legal issues in cannabis
    • Business interruption claims
    • Civil litigation
    • Personal injury
    • Generational issues and changes
    • Women and diversity in law

    When: July 15 – 17, 2020

    “Mediation:” Friday, June 17, 2020, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    Where: Omni Bedford Springs Resort

    2138 Business 220, Bedford, PA 15522

    Registration: padefense.org

    About Judge Giordano

    Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans Court. He was also the first judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

    For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

    As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation. He is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators; is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation; has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as a Diplomate Member for mediation; and has been selected to serve as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

    Judge Giordano is a member of the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame CYO, and of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society; and is the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, he was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victims’ Rights. On January 1, 2020, Judge Giordano was designated Vice-Chair of the statewide Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Events, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation | Tags: , ,

  • Jul 01, 2020Mediator’s Tips for Successful Virtual Mediation

    More than ever, attorneys must now utilize creative and efficient alternatives to traditional litigation when assisting clients with legal disputes. Virtual mediation seems to have become the “new normal,” so if you have one scheduled, here are some tips:

    Virtual Mediation Tips

    • Learn the technology
      • Loading Zoom onto your phone or computer is easy
        • Give it a test run with your family and/or officemates
      • Make sure the client has loaded Zoom and has a stable source of WIFI
      • Ask mediator for a run-through
      • Make sure no one records the mediation
    • Backup plans
      • Have two phones available
      • Get everyone’s phone numbers
    • Do not schedule mediation unless you are ready to settle
      • If your client who is the defendant says, “there’s no way I’m going to pay any money,” don’t go to mediation
    • The parties and all decision-makers must be present
      • Joint sessions vs. private sessions
    • Memos should be done well in advance and should be shared with the other side with plenty of time for evaluation of your claim
      • Pictures
      • Medical reports (not every piece of paper generated by the hospital)
      • Relevant portions of deposition transcripts (not the tiny print ones)
    • Negotiations
      • Prepare your client for a long day and they will feel insulted at times
      • Don’t quit or lose your cool (this can be tedious at times)
      • Don’t make outrageous demands
      • Don’t make dinner plans or plane reservations
      • Bring other work
      • Do keep talking and no ultimatums

    This article was written by the Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group. A printable version is available to download here.

    If you have any questions about this article or any related matter, please feel free to contact him at egiordano@norris-law.com. For more topics related to COVID-19, visit our Coronavirus Thought Leadership Connection.

    The information contained in this post may not reflect the most current developments, as the subject matter is extremely fluid and constantly changing. Please continue to monitor this site for ongoing developments. This article provides information about current legal developments of mediation in the area of litigation and alternative dispute resolution. The information contained in this article should not be construed as legal advice and readers should not act upon such without professional counsel. Copyright © 2020 Norris McLaughlin, P.A.

    About Norris McLaughlin

    As well as representing our clients during commercial and civil disputes, our attorneys often serve as independent arbitrators and mediators. They are experienced in handling disputes for matters involving attorney ethics and fees, banking, corporate dissolutions, deadlocks and acquisitions, energy, environmental, estates, health care, information technology, insurance, intellectual property, labor and employment, products liability, and utility issues. We also offer innovative services in case consultation and complex case management.

    Posted in: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Litigation |

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