Richard J. Fodera is a seasoned litigator with more than 30 years of experience in civil litigation. His distinguished career includes the handling of hundreds of complex high exposure cases from inception through verdict or settlement including those related to negligence, personal injury, premises liability, labor law, auto, and product liability. He has successfully represented a wide range of clients from major corporations to smaller business entities to individuals. His clients have included some of the largest corporations in the U.S. such as United Parcel Service, JC Penney Department Store, Federated Department Store, and Regal (United Artists) Cinemas.

Mr. Fodera has regularly appeared on cases before the Supreme Courts of New York, Kings and Richmond Counties as well as the Civil Court of Kings County. Further, he has represented clients in the Jury Coordinator Part (JCP) in Brooklyn Supreme Court where he participated in thousands pre-trial settlement conferences involving automobile cases and premises and labor law disputes.

As a litigator, Mr. Fodera has participated in numerous mediations and arbitrations, which he views as an effective method to quickly and cost-effectively move cases to settlement. His background as a managing attorney, litigator, and skillful negotiator provides him with the experience and focus required to bring parties and counsel together and move cases toward an equitable and impartial resolution. He is well known and highly respected throughout the New York legal community by both plaintiff and defense attorneys alike and has developed a positive working relationship with both sides of the bar.

In 2023, for the fourth year in a row, Mr. Fodera was voted a Top Ten Arbitrator in the New York Law Journal “Best Of” survey. He is motivated by a judicial philosophy that competency, honesty, integrity, courtesy, and compassion are essential to a successful arbitration or mediation.

He is available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout the New York Metro area.