CLE Webinar: Inside the Mind of a Mediator – Avoiding Impasse and Maximizing Outcomes in Mediation

NAM is honored to be asked to speak once again at the NYC Bar Association's annual Bridge the Gap program. NAM Hearing Officers the Hon. Elizabeth Bonina (Ret.), James W. Borkowski, Esq., and the Hon. Peter B. Skelos (Ret.) will discuss key issues in dispute resolution with a focus on how to maximize outcomes and avoid impasse in mediation. This program will present best practices to help prevent the mediation from being sabotaged before real negotiations begin, as well as the latest tips and techniques counsel should consider throughout the mediation process.

To attend our presentation “Inside the Mind of the Mediator – Avoiding Impasse and Maximizing Outcomes in Mediation,” please select your preferred registration option below for either day 1 or both days of the New York City Bar Association's Annual 16-Hour Bridge-the-Gap program.

Meet NAM's Presenters

The Hon. Elizabeth Bonina (Ret.) is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County and is a member of NAM's (National Arbitration and Mediation) Hearing Officer Panel. She has successfully mediated numerous high-profile sexual abuse matters and has facilitated the settlement of cases involving a wide range of other practice areas that include personal injury, premises liability, labor law, sports and recreation, and employment law. Judge Bonina has been consistently voted a Top Mediator and Arbitrator since the inception of the New York Law Journal “Best Of” survey. In 2024, she was voted the #1 Mediator and #1 Arbitrator in the state and has been voted the #1 Arbitrator in New York State seven times in the last 11 years. Judge Bonina is available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout the New York Metro area.

James W. Borkowski, Esq. distinguished career spans more than 30 years with a practice focused primarily on litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both the state and federal court systems. He has successfully represented insurance carriers, corporations and individuals in personal injury, construction, litigation, general liability, premises liability, property damage, automobile and commercial litigation (both plaintiff and defendant). In 2024, for the fifth year in a row, Mr. Borkowski was named a Top Ten Neutral by the New York Law Journal, “Best Of” survey. Mr. Borkowski is available to mediate and arbitrate cases throughout New York State.

Hon. Peter B. Skelos' (Ret.) career includes 11 years spent as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department. Judge Skelos' experience both on the bench and in private practice, gives him a broad range of knowledge in numerous areas of the law including construction litigation, professional liability and insurance coverage disputes. In 2022, for the seventh year in a row, Judge Skelos was voted a Top Ten Neutral in the New York Law Journal “Best Of” survey. He was also named a National Law Journal Alternative Dispute Resolution Champion, as part of a select group of only 46 nationwide. Judge Skelos is available to hear cases throughout the United States. He is also Of Counsel to Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP. Judge Skelos is available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout the New York Metro area.

About NAM's Continuing Legal Education Program

NAM provides complimentary continuing legal education (CLE) programs virtually, on-site at your office, or in any of NAM's dedicated conference facilities. Our Continuing Legal Education department will work with your firm or organization to customize a CLE program that is designed to meet your specific CLE issues and topics of interest. Our respected faculty provides participants with an interactive presentation that will engage and educate your audience as they earn relevant CLE credit.

Please contact NAM's CLE department at 800-358-2550, ext. 145 or email Sharon Pedersen at cle@namadr.com for information on how we can customize a CLE program for your organization.