Neutrals
Robert Berks
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut, BS Accounting
New England School of Law
Boston, Massachusetts
Graduated: June 1976
University of Bridgeport
1967 to 1971
Bridgeport, Connecticut Bachelor of Science Major: Accounting
Minor: Economics
Admission to Practice
Passed Massachusetts Bar Examination: November 1976
Admitted to Massachusetts Bar: December 1976
Professional
January 1977 to present
Self employed as an attorney in Brockton, MA, involved in all phases of civil and probate litigation.…Read More
Education
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut, BS Accounting
New England School of Law
Boston, Massachusetts
Graduated: June 1976
University of Bridgeport
1967 to 1971
Bridgeport, Connecticut Bachelor of Science Major: Accounting
Minor: Economics
Admission to Practice
Passed Massachusetts Bar Examination: November 1976
Admitted to Massachusetts Bar: December 1976
Professional
January 1977 to present
Self employed as an attorney in Brockton, MA, involved in all phases of civil and probate litigation. Main areas of practice include personal injury, divorce and probate.
January 1990 to present
Arbitration and mediation of personal injury claims for Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, (CMCI), 130 Liberty Street, Brockton, for numerous insurance companies including Safety, Commerce, Liberty Mutual, Hanover and Arbella
January 1985 to January 1990
Arbitration of personal injury claims for American Arbitration Association. Certified as an arbitrator for AAA after attending training course.
Personal
American Jurisprudence Award
1975 – Conflicts of Law
1976 – Jurisdiction
Honorable John Berman
Leslie R. Brimmer , Esquire
Honorable George Brodigan
Gerald Cooper , Esquire
Honorable Suzanne V. Del Vecchio
Education
Wheaton College
Norton, MA
B.A. 1964
Boston College Law School
Boston, MA
J.D. 1967
Professional
2006 – Present
Senior Mediator and Arbitrator, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc., Brockton, MA
2004 – 2006
Associate Justice of the Superior Court
1999 – 2004
Chief Justice of the Superior Court
1990 – 1992
Regional Administrative Justice, Plymouth County
1985 – 1999
Associate Justice of the Superior Court
1979 – 1985
Partner, Boorstein & DelVecchio, 185 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
1969 – 1979
Assistant Corporation Counsel, Law Department, City of Boston, Boston, MA
1967 – 1969
Staff Attorney, Boston Legal Aid Society, 14 Somerset Street, Boston, MA
1993 – Present
Adjunct Professor School of Law, Boston University Law School
Affiliations
Massachusetts Bar Association
Plymouth County Bar Association
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, Secretary, 1981-1985
Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers, President, 1982-1983
Publications
1970
Annual Survey of Massachusetts Law
Chapter entitled “Environmental Law”
Co-author with Richard J.…Read More
To schedule with Suzanne Del Vecchio please contact Donna Orlando at donna@commonwealthmediation.com.
Education
Wheaton College
Norton, MA
B.A. 1964
Boston College Law School
Boston, MA
J.D. 1967
Professional
2006 – Present
Senior Mediator and Arbitrator, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc., Brockton, MA
2004 – 2006
Associate Justice of the Superior Court
1999 – 2004
Chief Justice of the Superior Court
1990 – 1992
Regional Administrative Justice, Plymouth County
1985 – 1999
Associate Justice of the Superior Court
1979 – 1985
Partner, Boorstein & DelVecchio, 185 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
1969 – 1979
Assistant Corporation Counsel, Law Department, City of Boston, Boston, MA
1967 – 1969
Staff Attorney, Boston Legal Aid Society, 14 Somerset Street, Boston, MA
1993 – Present
Adjunct Professor School of Law, Boston University Law School
Affiliations
Massachusetts Bar Association
Plymouth County Bar Association
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, Secretary, 1981-1985
Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers, President, 1982-1983
Publications
1970
Annual Survey of Massachusetts Law
Chapter entitled “Environmental Law”
Co-author with Richard J. Johnson
1986
Handbook of Family Law – Published by MCLE-NELI
Child Support Chapter
Co-author with Peter Zupkovska
Personal
Honorary Degree
2000
Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Suffolk University School of Law
2004
Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from New England School of Law
Awards
1990
Brass Gravel Award presented by the Plymouth County Bar Association
1993
Judicial Merit Award presented by Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers
Distinguished Jurist Award presented by Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers
2000
Distinguished Jurist Award from Essex County Bar Association
Jurist of the Year Award from Justinian Law Society
2002
Leadership Award from Middlesex County Bar Association
2004
Alumnus of the Year Award from Boston College Law School
Outstanding Alumna Award from Wheaton College
Paul Finn , Esquire
Founder of Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) and has served as its President and CEO since 1992.
As lead arbitrator and mediator, Mr. Finn hears approximately 300 to 400 cases per year.…Read More
Chief Executive Officer
To schedule with Paul Finn please contact Sherry Kiander at sherry@commonwealthmediation.com.
Founder of Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) and has served as its President and CEO since 1992.
As lead arbitrator and mediator, Mr. Finn hears approximately 300 to 400 cases per year.
Mr. Finn holds a Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law, a master’s degree in government from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from Stonehill College.
Education
1990 A.L.M., Government, Harvard University
1976 J.D., New England School of Law
1971 B.A., History, Stonehill College
1967 Boston Latin School
Admission to Practice
1988 – Supreme Court of the United States of America
1977 – Massachusetts Bar
1977 – Federal District Court
Professional
1992 – Present
President & CEO, Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation (CMCI); full-time mediator and arbitrator handling all types of civil claims; mediated and/or arbitrated over 5,000 claims, including cleric sexual abuse, medical malpractice, auto tort, general liability and business disputes; chief administrator and marketing representative for CMCI
1977 – 1992
Berks & Finn Brockton, Massachusetts; Co-founder and Partner in a small five lawyer law firm in Brockton, Massachusetts; general practice handling personal injury, domestic, estates, criminal, social security disability, real estate conveyance and more
Affiliations
Plymouth County Bar Association
Boston Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Lawyers
Association of Conflict Resolution
Scribes
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Publications
Massachusetts Practice Series, Volume 47, Mediation and Arbitration, 2002 Edition
Revised Edition to be published 2004.
Personal
President of the Pilgrim Advocate Program, 1983-84
President of Thorny Lea Golf Club, 1988-1990 and 1994-1996
Golf, reading and traveling
Thomas P. Fitzgerald , Esquire
Jack Genovese , Esquire
Mark Karsner
Education
Georgetown University, Magna Cum Laude, 1976
Georgetown University Law Center, Cum Laude, 1979
Work Experience
Wynn & Wynn, P.C. - 1979 to 1995
Karsner & Meehan, P.C. -.1995 to 2020
Professional
Mark has specialized in all types of personal injury and insurance claims.…Read More
To schedule with Mark Karsner please contact Sherry Kiander at sherry@commonwealthmediation.com.
Education
Georgetown University, Magna Cum Laude, 1976
Georgetown University Law Center, Cum Laude, 1979
Work Experience
Wynn & Wynn, P.C. – 1979 to 1995
Karsner & Meehan, P.C. -.1995 to 2020
Professional
Mark has specialized in all types of personal injury and insurance claims. He has represented Plaintiffs, insurers, and self-insureds.
Mark began his career at Wynn & Wynn, P.C. He was Chairman of the Litigation Department for several years. Mark opened his own office in 1995. He continued his representation of Plaintiffs, insurers and self-insureds in all manners of personal injury claims.v
Mark has taken over 100 cases to a jury verdict. He has lectured on such topics as trial technique, insurance law, and mediation.
He began his career as a neutral 25 years ago in 1995. He has mediated and arbitrated over a thousand cases. The vast majority are in the field of personal injury, but he has also handled business disputes.
John Kennedy , Esquire
Sherry Kiander
Sherry Kiander has served as the Executive Assistant for Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) since March 2002. Ms. Kiander is the principal assistant to and scheduler for Paul Finn. She also handles bookkeeping and various administrative duties for CMCI. Prior to joining CMCI, Ms. Kiander served as a Transcriptionist with Psychological Services, Inc., a forensic psychology practice in Boston.Read More
Executive Assistant
Sherry Kiander has served as the Executive Assistant for Commonwealth Mediation and Conciliation, Inc. (CMCI) since March 2002. Ms. Kiander is the principal assistant to and scheduler for Paul Finn. She also handles bookkeeping and various administrative duties for CMCI.
Prior to joining CMCI, Ms. Kiander served as a Transcriptionist with Psychological Services, Inc., a forensic psychology practice in Boston.
Katherine A. Kirby , Esquire
1979 J.D., Suffolk University Law School
1970 M.A., University of Connecticut
1968 A.B., Emmanuel College
Admission to Practice
U.S. District Court, 1980
Massachusetts Bar, 1979
Professional
1997 - present
Private practice; Of Counsel, the Law Office of Drew Elinoff; plaintiffs’ and defense litigation
1980 - 1997
Trial Attorney; handling a variety of personal injury and property damage lawsuits in general liability, automobile, product liability, 176D and 93A, including pleadings, discovery, trial and appeal; preparation of reports, opinion papers, memoranda of law, reports of educational seminar material for clients and colleagues; arbitrator of cases, sole and as a tribunal member; mediator in the Stoughton Conciliation/Mediation Program
1978 - 1980
Division Claim Examiner; responsible for overseeing the handling of large or complex claims, evaluating their potential, and directing the course of investigation, discovery, settlement or trial of those cases; instructor in claim staff seminars
1972 - 1978
Division Claim Educator; responsible for training and evaluating newly employed claim adjusters, developing course materials and seminars for staff education in matters affecting policy content and claim handling procedures, reviewing and analyzing legislation affecting insurance, participation in industry conferences, Claim Manager’s Council meetings, instructor at Certified Insurance Counselor program at Dartmouth, organizing and developing agenda and material for Branch Claim Managers’ meetings
1969 - 1972
Claim Adjuster; responsible for handling a variety of bodily injury, no-fault, and property damage claims, including investigation and evaluation of coverage, liability, and damages, negotiation, settlement or other disposition
Affiliations
Massachusetts Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Arbitration AssociationRead More
Education
1979 J.D., Suffolk University Law School
1970 M.A., University of Connecticut
1968 A.B., Emmanuel College
Admission to Practice
U.S. District Court, 1980
Massachusetts Bar, 1979
Professional
1997 – present
Private practice; Of Counsel, the Law Office of Drew Elinoff; plaintiffs’ and defense litigation
1980 – 1997
Trial Attorney; handling a variety of personal injury and property damage lawsuits in general liability, automobile, product liability, 176D and 93A, including pleadings, discovery, trial and appeal; preparation of reports, opinion papers, memoranda of law, reports of educational seminar material for clients and colleagues; arbitrator of cases, sole and as a tribunal member; mediator in the Stoughton Conciliation/Mediation Program
1978 – 1980
Division Claim Examiner; responsible for overseeing the handling of large or complex claims, evaluating their potential, and directing the course of investigation, discovery, settlement or trial of those cases; instructor in claim staff seminars
1972 – 1978
Division Claim Educator; responsible for training and evaluating newly employed claim adjusters, developing course materials and seminars for staff education in matters affecting policy content and claim handling procedures, reviewing and analyzing legislation affecting insurance, participation in industry conferences, Claim Manager’s Council meetings, instructor at Certified Insurance Counselor program at Dartmouth, organizing and developing agenda and material for Branch Claim Managers’ meetings
1969 – 1972
Claim Adjuster; responsible for handling a variety of bodily injury, no-fault, and property damage claims, including investigation and evaluation of coverage, liability, and damages, negotiation, settlement or other disposition
Affiliations
Massachusetts Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Arbitration Association
Robert Lotty , Esquire
Brian J. Mone , Esquire
To schedule with Brian J. Mone please contact Donna Orlando at donna@commonwealthmediation.com.
Brian Mone is a Harvard Law School certified mediator who has successfully mediated a large number of complex, multi-party, high stakes cases, including the DelValle vs. Bechtel, et al, Big Dig tunnel collapse, the New York City Deutsche Bank building fire cases, the Springfield Diocese sexual abuse cases and the Redemptionist Church of Texas sexual abuse cases.…Read More
President
To schedule with Brian J. Mone please contact Donna Orlando at donna@commonwealthmediation.com.
Brian Mone is a Harvard Law School certified mediator who has successfully mediated a large number of complex, multi-party, high stakes cases, including the DelValle vs. Bechtel, et al, Big Dig tunnel collapse, the New York City Deutsche Bank building fire cases, the Springfield Diocese sexual abuse cases and the Redemptionist Church of Texas sexual abuse cases.
University of Massachusetts – Amherst, B.A. 1978
Suffolk University School of Law, J.D. 1982
Admission to Practice
1982
Massachusetts Bar
1983
United States District Court for Massachusetts
2000
United States Court of Appeals – First Circuit
Professional
2007 to present
President and Chief Operating Officer, Commonwealth Mediation & Conciliation, Inc.
2005 – 2006
President – M & H Resolutions, Inc.
1983 – 2005
Partner – Mone, D’Ambrose & Hanyen, P.C., Brockton, MA
1986
Special Assistant District Attorney, Barnstable County
Brian Mone has mediated thousands of cases over the past fifteen years. He has mediated a significant number of high profile cases including the DelValle v. Bechtel Big Dig tunnel collapse, the Middletown CT Kleen Energy Gas plant explosion insurance priority dispute, the New York City Deutsche Bank fire cases, Hurricane Katrina insurance coverage, EIFS cases out of the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina and District of Massachusetts, Horace Mann sexual abuse cases, Salem Power Plant explosion, Merrimack Valley gas explosion cases and many others. He has also mediated class action lawsuits, multi-party toxic tort, land contamination, land takings, product liability automobile rollover and seatbelt claims, as well as other commercial and business related claims.Brian Mone has extensive experience mediating in the following areas:
- Commercial/business litigation
- Construction
- Construction defects
- Contracts
- Eminent domain
- Employment
- Entertainment
- Fire losses
- Insurance
- Labor
- Land contamination
- Legal malpractice
- Major subrogation claims
- Medical malpractice
- Personal injury
- Products liability
- Professional liability
- Sexual abuse
- Toxic tort
- Water damage
Mr. Mone was a practicing trial attorney for 23 years in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mr. Mone tried hundreds of cases in the Superior Courts and the United States District Court of Massachusetts, before judges and juries, on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants in cases stemming from construction site accidents, contractual indemnification claims, premises liability, product liability claims, unfair claim settlement practices, motor vehicle accidents, fires, M.G.L. 93A claims and insurance coverage disputes.
In his career as a mediator he has served as a guest lecturer on mediation and arbitration for the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education program as well as for insurers, plaintiff’s groups and the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association.
Affiliations
Massachusetts Bar Association
Life Fellow, Massachusetts Bar Foundation
Guest Speaker, Massachusetts Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program
Medical Malpractice Tribunal Member, Plymouth County Superior Court
Screen Actors Guild
Board of Managers – New Seabury Club
American College of Civil Trial Mediators
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Patrick Mullins , Esquire
Christopher J. Muse
Education
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. B.A. Government
University of Fribourg , Switzerland (Junior year abroad)
Boston State College, Boston, MA M.Ed. Urban Education
Suffolk Law School, Boston, MA J.D. / Cum Laude / Law Review
Professional
2001-present: Massachusetts Superior Court, Associate Justice of this court of general and equitable jurisdiction, involved in the trial of serious crimes, and civil litigation involving claims of damages in excess of $25,000.00.…Read More
To schedule with Christopher Muse please contact Donna Orlando at donna@commonwealthmediation.com.
Education
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. B.A. Government
University of Fribourg , Switzerland (Junior year abroad)
Boston State College, Boston, MA M.Ed. Urban Education
Suffolk Law School, Boston, MA J.D. / Cum Laude / Law Review
Professional
2001-present: Massachusetts Superior Court, Associate Justice of this court of general and equitable jurisdiction, involved in the trial of serious crimes, and civil litigation involving claims of damages in excess of $25,000.00.
1988-2001 Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston, MA
From list of Approved Attorneys, represented indigent Defendants on murder indictments.v
1980-2001 Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston, MA
From list of Approved Attorneys, represented indigent Defendants on serious felony indictments.
1981-2001 Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society
Labor counsel to Detective’s Unit of Boston City Police Department; Appeared in criminal courts, and before federal and state grand juries on charges of improper conduct, including, excessive force, wrongful death, perjury, neglect of duty, and assorted other allegations; Appeared before State Labor Relations Commission, Civil Service Commission, Division of Administrative Law Appeals, and State and Federal Courts.
1979-1999 Service Employees International Union Local 254, Boston, MA
Staff counsel to union representing Massachusetts Trial Court employees.
1977-1986 State Advisory Commission for Special Education, Boston, MA
Legal counsel to school administrator/parent council, with statutory authority to review appropriateness of placements and programs of special needs students pursuant to Federal and State Statutes (P.L. 94-142 and ch. “766″).
1977-2001 Muse and Muse, Boston, MA
General trial practice involving criminal, civil and employment law litigation.
1977-1979 Middlesex County Indigent Defender, Cambridge, MA
Represented indigents charged with misdemeanor and felonies in Eastern Middlesex County.
1970-1977 Boston Public Schools, Boston, MA: Teacher: Boston Latin School; East Boston High School; Lewis Middle School (Roxbury)
Donna Orlando
Donna joined CMCI in 2007 from Mone & Hanyen, Inc. where she was also a Case Manager. She is the principal assistant to and scheduler for Brian Mone, for whom she began working 22 years ago, first as a legal secretary with Mone & Mathers, and later when the firm changed to Mone, D’Ambrose & Hanyen.…Read More
Case Manager
Donna joined CMCI in 2007 from Mone & Hanyen, Inc. where she was also a Case Manager. She is the principal assistant to and scheduler for Brian Mone, for whom she began working 22 years ago, first as a legal secretary with Mone & Mathers, and later when the firm changed to Mone, D’Ambrose & Hanyen. She is a graduate of Massasoit College.