ADR Systems is excited to welcome Hon. Brendan A. O’Brien, (Ret.) as a new senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems. Judge O’Brien previously served for 10 years in the Circuit Court of Cook County, managing a heavy caseload in the Law Division Trial Section, settling more than 1,000 cases in the past five years during pretrial settlement conferences. His litigation career and docket exposed him to various complex matters, helping him cultivate an in-depth understanding of the legal issues present in medical malpractice, construction accident, premises liability, wrongful death and other disputes.

“When we look to bring on a new neutral at ADR Systems, we’re looking for a judge who can settle a case on day one — a judge who will hit the ground running,” said Marc Becker, president of ADR Systems. “Judge O’Brien will hit the ground sprinting and make it look easy. We’re delighted to have him join our growing panel of pre-trial judges/pre-trial judges-turned-neutrals.”

Before taking the bench, Judge O’Brien was a distinguished litigator who saw the value of having a dispute resolution path for his clients that did not go straight to the courthouse. Instead, he often sought alternative forms of dispute resolution – such as mediation and arbitration – which brought him and his clients to ADR Systems. He admired the neutrals at ADR Systems, noting how methodically and thoroughly they worked. “When Marc ‘knocked’ on my chambers, there was really no question about it. There’s no better place to mediate personal injury and commercial disputes.”

Judge O’Brien’s enthusiasm about joining ADR Systems is matched and informed by his conviction that the cost of mediation is minimal relative to its benefits and the risks of exposure that it helps parties avoid.

“Trial poses so many risks: That of no recovery or very little recovery for the plaintiff. That of a significant judgment award against the defendant — and one higher than they might otherwise have had to pay because of settled defendants,” said Judge O’Brien. “Mediation reduces all that exposure and risk for both sides and puts the case in the parties’ hands completely. Every case, and in particular, high-stakes cases, should seriously think about mediation. Thankfully, many do, and I hope to help many of them settle.”

To learn more about Judge O’Brien’s experience as a senior mediator and arbitrator, click here.

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Hon. Brendan A. O’Brien, (Ret.) is a highly respected former trial judge and accomplished civil litigator with nearly 30 years of combined courtroom, trial and dispute resolution experience.  Judge O’Brien became one of the most sought-after settlement judges in the Law Division, frequently requested by both plaintiffs’ and defense counsel for pre-trial conferences. He settled more than 1,000 cases during his last five years as a trial judge.

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