Judge Robert L. Holzberg (Ret.) Quoted in HBJ on the Growth of Alternative Dispute Resolution

Pullman & Comley Alternative Dispute Resolution practice Chair Judge Robert L. Holzberg (Ret.) was featured in the Hartford Business Journal article, “CT Law Firms Embrace Booming Alternative Dispute Resolution Market.” The article covered the growing demand for private mediation and arbitration as Connecticut’s courts face mounting caseloads, highlighting how law firms across the state are expanding their ADR practices to provide faster, more cost-effective, and confidential dispute resolution. Mediation and arbitration often conclude in less than half the time of traditional court cases, making ADR an increasingly vital tool for businesses seeking efficiency and privacy.

Since launching Pullman & Comley’s ADR practice in 2012, Judge Holzberg and the ADR team, which includes a total of five retired judges and attorneys who are American Arbitration Association (AAA) panelists, have mediated or arbitrated more than 3,600 cases, making Pullman a regional leader in ADR. Judge Holzberg discussed the rise of pre-litigation mediation and the practical benefits of resolving disputes outside the courtroom. “The most significant trend that I’ve seen over the last half-dozen years is the increase in pre-litigation mediation,” he said, “[I]t makes sense to resolve cases quickly." Reflecting on confidentiality versus public transparency, he noted, “The backbone of our judicial system is public access, and certainly the public has a right to know what’s going on. That said, there are cases where the parties agree to confidentiality because of the sensitive details involved.” Highlighting the business rationale for ADR, he added that business leaders "are in the business of solving problems, not creating them. So, there’s a built-in recognition that it makes sense to try to solve the problems before they explode.”

To read the full article, please visit the Hartford Business Journal website.