PARAMUS – February 1, 2022 – DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, is pleased to announce the addition of the Honorable Walter F. Skrod (Ret.) as “of counsel” to the firm. Judge Skrod joined the firm Monday, January 31 after serving nearly seven years as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in Bergen County. He brings extensive experience to DeCotiis, offering his expertise in the areas of alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration, as well as consultation with public and private sector clients. Judge Skrod also consults on trial presentations, and is available to manage litigation as a special master and offer guidance to the firm regarding complex matters.
“Having served in various roles in my legal career, I am looking forward to the unique opportunity I will have to provide counsel to clients here at DeCotiis,” Judge Skrod said. “My wealth of experience settling cases as a judge and knowledge of Alternative Dispute Resolution will assist in setting the firm apart.”
Judge Skrod’s addition to the firm will extend DeCotiis’ purview to a new practice area, Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”). With costs of litigation and overburdening court systems, the ADR Practice Group will allow parties to work toward a voluntary and consensual agreement.
DeCotiis Co-Managing Partners Joseph M. DeCotiis and Michael R. DeCotiis welcomed Judge Skrod, “With over 45 years of practicing law, we are very pleased to have Judge Skrod become part of the DeCotiis firm. Not only is he the first former judge to join our ranks, but he will provide invaluable expertise in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution for our clients.”
The firm’s ADR Practice Group is comprised of a diverse group of attorneys who focus their practices in various areas of litigation, as well as corporate, labor and employment, real estate, construction, environmental and healthcare law. They include trial and transactional lawyers, a former judge, court-appointed mediator and arbitrator.
The ADR practice area encompasses mediation, arbitration and other creative alternatives to formal legal proceedings. The attorneys in the ADR Practice Group develop sophisticated strategies for conflict management and resolution by placing an early and comprehensive focus on the business and personal relationships, transaction details, and other relevant factors that have contributed to a dispute. An effective resolution through ADR should uphold the rights of all parties, meet their objectives, preserve relationships, and avoid the time and expense associated with traditional litigation.
The goal of ADR is to allow parties to work toward a voluntary, consensual agreement, avoiding the litigation and trial process. ADR also allows for a forum for creative solutions that best fit the needs of both parties. For more information about the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice area, visit www.decotiislaw.com/litigation/alternative-dispute-resolution/.
To contact Judge Skrod for Alternative Dispute Resolution counsel, call 201-347-2154 or email wskrod@decotiislaw.com. For more information about Judge Skrod’s accomplishments, visit www.decotiislaw.com/attorney/skrod-walter-f/.
For more information about DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, visit www.decotiislaw.com or call 201-928-1100.
About DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP
As a law firm that boasts more than 100 attorneys and staff, DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP, has a deep well of knowledge from which to draw. The firm’s legal teams work across disciplines to achieve the best results possible in both public and private sectors. DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP’s deep connections to the highest levels of state and local government allow their attorneys to efficiently resolve issues for a broad range of organizations. These existing relationships with government and regulatory agencies inform everything the firm does. A partial list of its practice areas include real estate, labor law, public procurement, litigation, cannabis, environmental law, public finance, tax, municipal law, government and regulatory affairs, healthcare law, corporate law, banking and bankruptcy. For more information, visit www.decotiislaw.com.
