A member of the firm’s Arbitration and Mediation practice, Gordon “Skip” Netzorg focuses on resolving difficult commercial disputes.
Skip is frequently selected as the arbitrator or mediator because of his extensive trial experience on both the plaintiff and defendant sides, his reputation for fairness, and his ability to get to the heart of the matter for quick resolution of even the most contentious cases. He has served as an arbitration panel chair, panel member, or sole arbitrator in dozens of major cases where arbitration demands have ranged from the tens of thousands of dollars to multibillion-dollar figures. He is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) National Panel and is often selected by the AAA to teach panel member courses. He is also a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.
He has been repeatedly recognized in many areas of law. Year after year, he is listed as a Top 10 Super Lawyer and a Best Lawyers in numerous categories. He is a fellow of both the highly selective and prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
MEDIATION
A former litigator of complex, multiparty commercial disputes, Skip brings the perspective of a trial lawyer and an arbitrator, along with a cutting-edge methodology to conduct mediations effectively and efficiently. Emphasizing the importance of informational exchanges, he encourages the parties to meaningfully evaluate and deal with the risks, strengths, and weaknesses of their cases and those of their adversaries. Skip talks with counsel before the start of mediation to determine how he can best facilitate resolution. He is proactive in steering cases toward settlement. He also employs a number of especially effective strategies to move the parties along when they reach an impasse.
ARBITRATION
Skip was a member of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS)/American College of Trial Lawyers Joint Task Force on Discovery and has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce costs, complexity, and time to trial while maintaining fairness to all parties. As an arbitrator with this knowledge and experience, he guides parties in conducting discovery to ensure they obtain the information they need to make their claims and defenses without the abuses discovery can entail. When discovery disputes arise, he handles them quickly and informally, often convening telephone conferences within hours of a dispute or during a disputed deposition. He is able to streamline the process and help contain costs while maintaining a level playing field for the parties.
In addition to serving as an arbitrator and a mediator, Skip helps counsel structure mock arbitrations to test the effectiveness of arguments, case theories, evidence, and witness testimony in advance of an actual hearing. Skip is also available for pro bono mediations for those who represent a client on a pro bono basis.