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Maria Walsh

Maria C. Walsh, Esq.

JAMS Mediator, Arbitrator and Referee/Special Master

Case Manager
Gabrielle Thorp
T: 617-228-9124
F: 617-228-0222
One Beacon Street, Suite 2210, Boston, MA 02108-3106
GThorp@jamsadr.com

Maria C. Walsh is available to conduct cases virtually. JAMS is equipped to provide virtual ADR services on a variety of online platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, and more.

Biography

Maria Walsh has extensive experience arbitrating disputes both as a single arbitrator and as a member of a panel of arbitrators. She provides a well-defined arbitration process tailored to the nature of the dispute and the parties’ preferences. Ms. Walsh’s arbitration awards are well-reasoned, timely, and as detailed as the parties desire. 

Ms. Walsh's background as an administrative judge and litigator, combined with her experience in business, government, and non-profit environments, provides a breadth of perspective that contributes to her successful resolution of complex disputes. Since joining JAMS in 2000, Ms. Walsh has issued arbitration awards in cases presenting commercial, construction, employment, intellectual property, insurance, property damage, franchise, personal injury, and tort disputes. She currently serves as Special Master to the Massachusetts Superior Court for all asbestos litigation, and has been appointed Special Master in other Superior Court civil cases to resolve discovery and other disputes.

Representative Arbitrations

Commercial

  • Breach of non-competition agreements and licensing agreements
  • Interference with advantageous relations claims
  • Dissolution of close corporation (establishment of rights and valuation)
  • Close corporation minority shareholder freeze-out claim
  • Breach of licensing agreement
  • Breach of medical services partnership agreement
  • Consumer claims concerning bank credit card activities
  • Fraud

Employment

  • Claims for breach of fiduciary duty by corporate officers
  • Fraudulent diversion of corporate opportunity claims
  • Claims for discrimination based on age, race, gender, handicap, whistle-blowing, national origin, sexual harassment, public policy, FMLA, and excessive use of benefits, violation of non-compete agreements
  • Breach of employment contract claims
  • Claims arising in various industries including financial services, retail products, health care, information and bio-technology, construction, publishing, manufacturing, government contracting, hospitality, non-profit, and professional services

Product Liability and Breach of Warranty Claims

  • Defective design/manufacture/breach of warranty claims
  • Fraudulent inducement claims

Real Property

  • Disputes concerning property valuation and expense obligations
  • Dispute concerning ownership, leasing agreements, improvement valuation
Completed Virtual ADR training conducted by the JAMS Institute, the training arm of JAMS. 

  • Moderator, An Insider’s Look at Alternative Dispute Resolution, February 2016
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2014-2021
  • Admitted to practice, Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bars and several Federal Districts
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Co-Chair (2009-2010)
  • Massachusetts Bar Association, former Labor and Employment Law Section Chair, Governance Task Force, Access to Justice Committee Chair
  • Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers Hearing Committee Member, (2002-2010)
  • Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association, Board of Directors (2002-2004)
  • Supervising Editor and contributing author: Ensuring Equal Justice, Addressing Cultural and Linguistic Differences in the Courts of Massachusetts, 1996
  • Editor-in-Chief and contributing author, A Judicial Guide to Labor and Employment Law, 1990, and First Supplement, 1993
  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Law, University of Dayton School of Law, Dayton, OH, 1992
  • Chairman or Member various non-profit organization Boards of Directors
  • Special Master, Asbestos Litigation, Massachusetts Superior Court (2002-current)
  • Of Counsel, Perkins, Smith & Cohen, LLC, Boston, MA (2000-2001, part-time)
  • Vice President, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp., Boston, MA (1993-1999)
  • Chairman and Commissioner, Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission, Boston, MA (1983-1993)
  • Trial Attorney, National Labor Relations Board, Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA (1978-1983)
  • J.D., New York University School of Law (Root-Tilden Scholar) 1978
  • A.B., Vassar College/M.I.T. 1973

Counsel Comments

    • “[W]ithout question, the most effective mediator I have ever encountered. Maria possesses seemingly infinite patience and is the consummate diplomat, but she is also not afraid to be direct when necessary to drive a point home. She is able to quickly win the trust and the respect of all parties. Near-miraculous settlements are often the result.”
      - Boston area Partner, Labor, Employment & Benefits Practice Chair
    • “Maria is a terrific mediator who takes the appropriate amount of time to let both sides tell their story. In doing so she gains the trust of everyone on both sides. She is smart and just 'gets it.'”
      - Boston Litigator
    • “There are not enough good things to say about Maria. She is patient and knows just how to communicate with my clients. She makes them feel comfortable and part of the process. She gets the job done.”
      - Plaintiff Counsel
    • “On multiple occasions, Maria has mediated settlements of cases that I considered unsettleable.  In more than one of those, I had still considered the case unsettleable at 3 pm the day of the mediation. She has the highest emotional IQ of just about anyone I’ve ever met.” 
      - New York Counsel
    • “We use Maria for our thorniest matters and she has always helped us resolve them in mediation. She takes the time to learn the matter and to build a rapport with the client (both sides, I am confident; no “judging” and proclaiming a settlement amount), spots leverage points that we may not even have flagged, and gently but firmly points out the strengths and weaknesses of cases, the risks, and the value of settlement. She is dogged (some of our mediations have gone into the wee hours), available for follow up consultations and assistance, and is the consummate professional. She’s fabulous.”
    • “Impressed with Maria Walsh's ability to grasp seemingly contradictory evidence, understand plaintiff distress, yet remain neutral and seemingly balance both sides objectives.”
    • “Maria Walsh is an extremely skilled mediator.”
    • “Our mediator, Maria Walsh, was respectful and compassionate with my client. She kept the parties moving without turning us against each other. I was not sure the case would settle. It was due to her excellent skills we were able come to a deal.”
    • “Maria Walsh was engaged, thoughtful, creative, and overall just great.”
    • “Maria Walsh was very effective.”
    • “Maria is amazing. She facilitated a settlement in a very difficult case where it did not seem likely. Her ability to understand and acknowledge the personal and emotional aspects of the parties while also honing in on the important legal issues is a special skill.”
    • “Maria Walsh did a remarkable job navigating the personalities in the dispute and defusing issues that could have negated settlement.”
    • “Maria Walsh was fantastic in getting the parties to settle a difficult sexual harassment matter involving multiple parties.”
    • “Maria Walsh's persistence was extraordinary and resulted in a settlement that we did not believe would be possible.”

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This page is for general information purposes.  JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness.  Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals. See More

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