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Rothman Gordon Adds ADR Practice Group in Response to Western Court’s Adoption of LR 16.2

January 23, 2008

January 23, 2008 — The United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania has embraced the promotion and use of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) in civil cases as a way to reduce the costs associated with litigation and to expedite the resolution of cases. Having seasoned mediators and arbitrators already practicing at the firm, Rothman Gordon has formalized its ADR practice group in response to the anticipated need for experienced professionals in Western Pennsylvania.

A test pilot program was begun by the Court in June 2006 and adopted district-wide in January 2008. According to the District Court of Western Pennsylvania’s website, “The Board of Judges has approved new Local Rule of Practice 16.2 that requires parties involved in civil actions (except social security cases and cases that involve prisoners) to agree upon a form of ADR as part of the litigation process.” The three forms of ADR available through the Court are mediation, arbitration, and early neutral evaluation.

Attorney Louis Kushner has already mediated over 300 cases and has seen first hand the benefits of ADR. Mr. Kushner says, “Litigation is time consuming, distracting, difficult, and costly for plaintiffs and defendants alike, so it’s my goal to help the parties reach a settlement and avoid the litigation.”

“Arbitration and mediation are two of the most widely accepted ADR techniques and we see the formalization of this practice group as a way to fill a need in our community,” says Attorney Stephen Jordan, who has been an arbitrator and mediator for four years in response to the increased need for mediators.

For more information about ADR and an explanation of arbitration verses mediation, please visit the Rothman Gordon website at www.rothmangordon.com.

About Rothman Gordon

Rothman Gordon is a Pittsburgh-based law firm that has been advocating its clients’ interests since 1954. Rothman Gordon has created a suite of services for individuals, organizations, and closely-held and family businesses. Our areas of practice include alternative dispute resolution; business and corporate law; commercial real estate; business and commercial litigation; white collar criminal investigation; estate planning and administration; taxation and employee benefits; financing and commercial loans; employment and labor law; employment litigation; oil & gas for landowners; workers’ compensation; and social security disability.