Paul G. Huck, Esq.
Arbitrator, Mediator
17 West 121st Street #1
New York, NY 10027
Hourly Rate $450
Current PGHuckADR - Independent Neutral
Languages English
  • Finance/Investment
  • Contract Disputes
  • Insurance - Life, Health, P&C
  • Health provider-payor
  • Employment
  • General Commercial
Served over the last decade plus solely as an arbitrator or mediator with certain philosophies. The focus in arbitration is to deliver a smooth process which sees the parties understand exactly what they will need in order to prove their case as well as working to have all needed discovery occur early. When the parties have all the records they need to hold the arbitration, they also have all the records they need to determine if they should look to negotiating a settlement in the matter. As to mediation, it is all about understanding what each party needs - not just as to outcome, but also personally: handholding, devil's advocate. or explainer in chief.
PGHuckADR - Independent Neutral
Arbitrator, Mediator
Arbitrator/Mediator, Sole Practitioner, 2008-Present; Director/Board Member, Masonic Medical Research Institute 2022-Present; Attorney/Paralegal, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 1989-2010; Paralegal, J.C. Penney, 1985-1989; Singer/Performer, 1974-1985.
Twelve years working with government relations and represented MetLife on privacy committees of various trade groups, such as American Council of Life Insurers, American Health Insurance Plans and the Health Leadership Council. Manage and participate in many cross-enterprise projects including mergers, integrations, business efficiencies and compliance. Oversaw distribution of HIPAA & GLB privacy notices. Reviewed all laws and regulations affecting Institutional Business, including oversight for all applicable initial compliance work for group insurance & retirement products & services.<br/><br/>Spent over a decade as trial and appellate counsel in areas of ERISA, FEGLI, insurance, real estate investments, corporate investments and other corporate issues. Conducted over 100 trials while managing 120 lawsuits at a time. Also provided litigation risk advice to various business units, specifically in areas of insurance and investments.<br/><br/>Currently serving on the Board of Directors, and being Chair of the Governance Committee, for an independent medical research facility. <br/><br/>Acted as an independent neutral, both as an arbitrator and a mediator since 2010. Completed in excess of 250 mediations as well as over 220 arbitrations, mostly as a sole arbitrator, but have also served in a wing role as well as Chair.
Officially started serving as a neutral in December 2008. Transitioned to being a full–time neutral on October 16, 2010. <br/><br/>Conducted over 250 mediations which were primarily in the following subject areas:<br/><br/>Insurance Coverage<br/>Insurance/Reinsurance<br/>Finance/Investments<br/>General Commercial and Contract matters<br/>Employment & Organizational issues<br/>Real Estate<br/>Discrimination -- both employment based and ADA compliance<br/>Labor/Management -- primarily, not limited to, disputes over contributions to benefit plans.
INSURANCE matters, the primarily issues have been: <br/>Are there damages?<br/>How much are the damages?<br/>Are the damages a covered loss?<br/>Which policy(ies) cover the loss?<br/>If multiple policies in effect -- how is the loss divided?<br/><br/>FINANCE/INVESTMENT<br/>Did a loss occur?<br/>Amount of loss?<br/>Expertise of investor?<br/>Duty owed to investor?<br/>Was there fiduciary duty?<br/>Other duties or limitations? (Know your customer rule, suitability rule, etc.)<br/><br/>REAL ESTATE (ownership issues listed also apply to all closely held entities).<br/>Is it an ongoing venture?<br/>If not, how to divide assets?<br/>If yes, can the parties work together?<br/>If not, is there a party(ies) who will buy out the others? (May also mean bringing in another investor or a total sale).<br/>If yes, how best to reset the relationship to move the venture forward?<br/><br/>EMPLOYMENT <br/>Compensation<br/>Retaliation<br/>Discrimination<br/><br/>Labor/Management<br/>Contract interpretation<br/>Employee contributions to Union benefit plans
Having spent 10 years as a trial attorney and far more time in a business setting I truly understand why most disputes should be settled and not litigated. That is why I completed a Masters in Psychology which, combined with my legal and business experience helps me to be the best mediator I can possibly be. It allows me to look at the issues from many different perspectives. Hopefully, I'll be able to continue helping solve problems until I make that final journey decades in the future.<br/><br/>Inveniam semita aut ero (find the path or be it)<br/><br/>My normal practice is somewhere between the Facilitative and Evaluative approach. I look at each mediation as unique as to what the parties expect from me and their desired format. This starts with a pre-mediation session to determine what, if anything, is needed, to help lead to a productive session including any limited discovery and the need for pre-mediation briefs (also determining if such briefs should be confidential or also provided to the other party).<br/><br/>I am happy to mediate both in person as well as becoming adapt over the Covid years with conducting mediations over Zoom. I've also had successful mediations where all discussions were simply caucusing type phone calls over an extended period. Even a couple where all varieties of communication were utilized. It is simply what works best for the parties.
Have conducted and hosted multiple mediations over Zoom. Have acted as arbitrator virtually on several platforms utilizing several different document hosting systems.
Fordham Law School (JD - 1989); Walden University (MS Psychology - 2008); Southeast Missouri State University (BS Business Administration - 1985)
Admitted to the Bar: New York (1990).
New York City Bar Association -- currently sit on the Arbitration Committee. Have served two terms on the ADR Committee.<br/>Fellow -- Chartered Institute of Arbitrators<br/>Lifetime Fellow - Asian Institute of Alternate Dispute Resolution
Royal University Law in English and National University of Management - Cambodia - general subject of ADR with focus on International Arbitration. (2018)<br/><br/>National University of Management Phnom Penh -- practical tips on International Arbitration (2019)<br/><br/>CNIS DPAC Beijing :Ins and outs of Warranty Arbitrations." (2015)<br/><br/>ABA – TIPS “A Day at Lloyds” February 5, 2013 – ADR applications available in U.S. in disputes with Lloyds.<br/><br/>Huck, P. (2008) What Does it Take to Settle a Case in Controversy? A Psychological, Legal and Economic Journey. Masters’ Thesis, Walden University, Dr. Raymond London advisor. <br/><br/>Huck, P. (1992). Louisiana, New Hampshire & New York Chapters. Misrepresentation in Application (Palmunen, A.A., ed). Law Committee, International Claim Association.
Will serve within the New York City Metro area without travel costs.
$450 Per Hour
English
United States of America
New York, NY

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