Robin H. Gise, Esq. is a skilled mediator and arbitrator who is particularly known for her extensive experience resolving employment disputes. She has mediated and arbitrated hundreds of employment disputes involving Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and small to mid-sized businesses in a wide range of industries. 

Ms. Gise has handled virtually every type of employment dispute, including discrimination claims (age, gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), hostile work environment, sexual assault and sexual harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation, whistleblower claims, executive compensation, and Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA)/wage and hour claims. 

She also regularly handles business and commercial disputes in a variety of industries including advertising, construction, energy, finance, insurance, real estate, and technology, as well as personal injury and tort matters (including sexual assault and New York State Adult Survivor Act cases), and civil rights and public accessibility disputes.

Ms. Gise is highly respected for her breadth of knowledge and her ability to grasp the elements of complex disputes with ease. She is a skilled communicator who is particularly attentive to the personal, financial, and practical concerns of parties, and is especially adept at handling emotionally charged conflicts with empathy and sensitivity. She has a well-deserved reputation for persistence, objectivity, the ability to foster trust and confidence in parties, and the skillful handling and efficient management of parties and proceedings. She is open-minded and skilled at devising creative solutions to seemingly intractable disputes. 

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• Ms. Gise is an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School and Cardozo Law School and teaches negotiation courses.
• A sought-after writer and speaker in the ADR field, Ms. Gise’s writings have been published in the New York Law Journal, Bloomberg BNA, the ABA Dispute Resolution Magazine, and many other publications. She has also been featured on JAMS podcasts discussing mediation and neurodiversity in the workplace. 
• Her speaking engagements include presentations before the American Bar Association Litigation Section, the New York City Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Practising Law Institute, and the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA-NY).
• Ms. Gise serves on the Advisory Council of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) and has mentored many new mediators.

Representative Matters

• Business Commercial
Breach of Contract

• Arbitrated dispute involving claims of fraud in the inducement and breach of contract in the purchase and sale of a luxury timeshare and associated travel benefits 
• Mediated dispute between high-end health food chain and advertising firm over whether firm fulfilled its contractual obligations
• Arbitrated dispute between ride-share platform provider and electronic fare payment platform provider involving arrangement for advancement of taxicab fares to customers
• Mediated dispute arising from agreement between secondary school and entity providing recruitment of and coordination of residential services for international students
• Arbitrated fee dispute between public relations firm and client involving issues of contract formation
General Business

• Mediated dispute involving highly contentious dissolution of a family-held real estate business
• Mediated dispute between commercial landlord, tenant, insurance broker and carrier arising from insurance procured to cover damage from a fire
• Served as Panel Chair in arbitration of highly contentious partnership dispute involving an 18-year relationship between software company executives (case settled just prior to the hearing)
• Arbitrated dispute involving purchase of claims of a well-known business in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and a dispute over funding a post-petition vendor agreement
• Arbitrated dispute involving commercial solar panel installation
• Arbitrated dispute involving purchase and sale of interests in development of housing project
• Employment Law
Breach of Employment Contract

• Mediated claim brought by high level security employee of special purpose entity with government contract alleging failure to make severance payment following termination of contract
• Arbitrated dispute between sales employee and seller of financial software over calculation of commission payments
• Mediated claim by financial analyst seeking to expunge defamatory material from U-5 termination notice
• Arbitrated claw back claim between real estate broker and prominent brokerage firm seeking funds from departing broker
• Arbitrated breach of employment contract claim brought by executive of a major hotel chain challenging a termination for cause
• Arbitrated hundreds of labor-management disputes, including contract interpretation questions and grievances, in the education, healthcare and transportation industries, and in municipal workforces
Class Action and Group Claims

• Mediated complex race discrimination class action brought by municipal workers alleging that they were underpaid on the basis of race and job classifications resulting in eight figure settlement after five mediation sessions
• Co-mediated wage and benefit-related claims brought by government agencies on behalf of gig workers at major companies resulting in nine figure settlements 
• Mediated class action against well-known delivery service involving allegations of discrimination on the basis of past criminal history
Discrimination

• Age Discrimination
• Mediated age discrimination and failure to hire claims brought by several long-time employees of accounting firm who alleged they were misclassified as independent contractors and replaced by younger employees who were hired into newly created positions
• Mediated age discrimination claim brought by long time executive of advertising firm alleging that a change in the commission plan disadvantaged older employees
• Arbitrated several age discrimination claims brought by former employees of a major technology corporation alleging that top management spearheaded efforts to recruit younger workers and force out older workers
• Mediated age discrimination claim brought by septuagenarian associate general counsel at a prominent accounting firm who alleged she was demoted and terminated on the basis of age
• Disability and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Discrimination
• Mediated several disability and religious discrimination claims arising from employees’ concerns about the COVID-19 vaccination
• Mediated claim concerning request for accommodation related to COVID-19 by employee with respiratory issues who requested to work from home
• Mediated disability discrimination and failure to accommodate claims alleged by junior associate with ADHD, anxiety, and depression against a major consulting firm
• Mediated disability discrimination claim brought by hospital employee with Parkinson’s Disease who alleged discriminatory treatment and retaliation
• Mediated discrimination and retaliation claims brought by employee of not-for-profit organization who alleged she was terminated after taking FMLA leave
• Mediated disability discrimination claim brought by employee of security provider for a government agency concerning a medical disqualification that he alleged did not impact his ability to perform his job
• Gender and Pregnancy Discrimination
• Served as arbitrator in highly contentious pregnancy, gender discrimination and retaliation claims brought by executive against digital advertising company (case settled just prior to the hearing)
• Mediated pregnancy discrimination claim brought by highly compensated employee of well-known media company
• Mediated gender discrimination claim brought by general counsel of health food company alleging misogynistic treatment by a top executive 
• Mediated gender discrimination and hostile work environment claims brought by income law firm partner alleging impact on opportunity for equity partnership
• Mediated gender and caregiver status discrimination claims brought by applicant for position at security services firm who was asked questions about her parenting obligations during the interview process
• Race and National Origin Discrimination
• Mediated race discrimination claim brought by diversity and inclusion executive of major banking institution
• Mediated race discrimination and overtime claims brought by long-time assistant of professional sports league executive who alleged she was denied promotion opportunities due to her race
• Mediated race discrimination and retaliation claims by newly hired employee of educational equity not-for-profit organization who alleged he was terminated for comments made about race at a company event
• Mediated claims of discrimination on the basis of national origin and immigration status brought by employee alleging employer’s failure to renew her visa
• Mediated race discrimination claim by electronics store employee alleging retaliation for complaining about treatment of minority customers
• Mediated race discrimination claim brought by executive of major publishing company alleging disparate treatment and retaliation for complaining about use of racially inflammatory language
• Mediated race discrimination claim brought by dental assistant alleging discrimination on the basis of natural hair style
• Sexual Orientation
• Mediated dispute brought by male employee alleging sexual orientation discrimination and harassment against male candidate for political office 
• Arbitrated claims by airport employee alleging sexual orientation discrimination and harassment by numerous employees
Executive Compensation

• Member of tripartite arbitration panel concerning multi-million-dollar compensation dispute between executive and family-held conglomerate concerning rights and obligations under a Long Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement 
• Mediated claim brought by executive of media company who alleged he was improperly terminated for cause and denied severance under his employment agreement
• Mediated claim brought by bank executive concerning a dispute over the terms of an incentive award that she alleged induced her to leave her former employer 
FLSA/Wage and Hour Claims

• Mediated numerous overtime and misclassification claims, including claims brought by insurance claims managers, shipping company service managers, financial portfolio managers, and field technicians
• Mediated numerous overtime and minimum wage claims brought by hourly employees including car dispatchers, building workers, restaurant employees (including tip misappropriation), home care attendants (including 24-hour care rule), and nail salon technicians
• Arbitrated several overtime claims by fast food workers at major chain restaurants
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

• Mediated sexual harassment and sexual assault claims occurring over many years brought by employee of software company against company executive
• Mediated sexual harassment and retaliation claims brought by high school teacher who alleged that school did not support or protect her from harassment by students 
• Mediated sexual harassment claim by award-winning documentary filmmaker against film producer 
• Mediated sexual harassment, assault and false imprisonment claims brought by assistant to a real estate magnate
• Mediated rape and sexual assault claims brought by employee of not-for-profit anti-poverty organization
• Mediated sexual harassment, assault and constructive discharge claims brought by long term employee of property management company
Whistleblower Claims

• Mediated whistleblower and retaliation claims brought by sales employee against major pharmaceutical company involving allegations of Medicare and insurance fraud
• Mediated claims under the False Claims Act and New York False Claims Act brought by employee of medical laboratory service provider who alleged improper incentives were being given to promote certain medications and laboratories
• Mediated whistleblower and retaliation claims brought by long-term employee of a small business alleging abusive behavior by potential investor
• Mediated whistleblower and retaliation claims brought by board member of not-for-profit foundation who complained about improper financial practices
• Mediated whistleblower, harassment and retaliation claims brought by museum development director who accused top management of financial mismanagement 
Wrongful Termination

• Mediated dispute between financial analyst and bank concerning analyst’s termination, including allegations that analyst breached the bank’s employment policies with defamatory statements
• Mediated wrongful termination claim by employee who complained about employer’s alleged inflated internal revenue reporting
• Mediated wrongful termination claim by bartender at popular nightclub who was terminated following incident involving an alleged drugging by a bar patron
• Higher Education & Title IX
• Selected to serve on the Title IX panel of a prestigious university to adjudicate sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment claims
• Served as hearing officer in appeal of sexual assault case involving multiple complainants and respondents
• Mediated sexual assault claim brought by college athlete against university for conduct occurring on a bus trip to a tournament
• Insurance
• Mediated complex D&O coverage claim by former officer of sports federation charged with various financial crimes including money laundering
• Mediated complex coverage claim involving falsification of life insurance application
• Mediated property insurance dispute between homeowner and insurer involving claim for property damage where various exclusions were at issue
• Mediated dispute between commercial builder and insurer concerning payment of premiums for workers compensation coverage 
• Mediated numerous insurance coverage disputes involving claims for property damage and business interruption brought by home and business owners affected by Storm Sandy, including claims for damage caused by flood, wind, water, and mold
• Personal Injury
• Mediated defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and sexual assault claims brought by health care proxy for a wealthy individual suffering from numerous physical and mental health conditions
• Mediated sexual assault claims under the New York Adult Survivors Act brought by individuals hired as masseuses for wealthy investor
• Mediated dispute arising from damages sustained from an assault and home invasion by an international professional athlete under the influence of alcohol
• Mediated claim of injury to infant caused by Legionella outbreak in apartment complex
• Mediated and arbitrated numerous claims brought by former employees or their estates seeking reimbursement for asbestos-related injuries from bankruptcy trust funds
• Civil Rights and Public Accessibility
• Mediated complex claims under Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act involving multiple residential buildings, developers, and architects
• Mediated numerous claims seeking ADA compliance and remediation for wheelchair accessibility against a well-known supermarket chain, a movie theater, a high-end boutique and a popular coffee shop
• Mediated claims of disability discrimination against several municipalities brought by deaf individual during arrest and detention for failure to provide sign language interpreters
• Mediated ADA claim by wheelchair-bound patient who alleged that she was refused treatment by oral surgery practice

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

• Co-Author with Maurice Q. Robinson, “Neurodiversity in the Workplace,” JAMS ADR Insights, April 2023
• Author, “Reasonable Accommodations for Mental Health in the Time of COVID,” The American Lawyer, May 2022
• Author, “And Just Like That . . . I Mediated in Person: My Journey Back to the Office,” ABA Dispute Resolution Magazine, March 2022
• Author, “Omicron and Ongoing Pandemic: Accepting the Virtual Future of ADR,” JAMS ADR Insights, Dec. 2021
• Author, "Behind the Screens: Challenges for Working Mothers During the Pandemic and the Impact on ADR," JAMS ADR Insights, March 8, 2021
• Author, "Effective Virtual Mediation: 10 Lessons After 10 Months," JAMS ADR Insights, February 4, 2021
• Author, "Effective Mediation by Videoconference: A Neutral’s Use of Zoom During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis," JAMS ADR Insights, April 2, 2020
• Author, “Employment Mediation: Special Considerations When the Employee is Staying on the Job,” New York Law Journal, July 17, 2017
• Author, “Best Practices for Advocates in Wage and Hour Mediation,” JAMS Employment Matters, Summer 2017
• Commentator, "The Next Generation of Neutrals," Bloomberg BNA, August 13, 2016
• Author, "Maximizing Your Client's Effectiveness In Mediation," New York Law Journal, March 28, 2016
• Author, "Joint Sessions in Employment Cases: Should Parties Make Opening Statements?," JAMS Employment Matters, Vol. II, Fall 2015
• Co-Author with R. Wayne Thorpe and Michael Young: "Talking Across Generations: Mediation and Mentoring", ABA Dispute Resolution Magazine, Spring 2015
• Co-Author with Jed D. Melnick, Vivien B. Shelanski, and John Wilkinson: "Mediation Starts From the First Phone Call - Practice Pointers and Helpful Hints for Lawyers Going to Mediation," Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 11, No. 2 (2010)

Background and Education

• Mediator and Arbitrator, JAMS, 2015-present
• Independent Mediator and Arbitrator, 2009-2015
• Litigation Attorney, Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP, 2002-2009; Kaiser, Saurborn & Mair, P.C., 2000-2002
• J.D., Dean’s List, Fordham University School of Law, 2000
• B.A., Oberlin College, 1994