Commercial Law Disputes

Steven I. Platt served as a judge in the Maryland Courts for over 25 years, with 17 years on the Circuit Court, and is the acknowledged architect of the Maryland Businesses Technology Case Management Program. Mediator and Arbitrator, The Platt Group, Inc., 2007-present; Judge, Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, 1990-07; Judge, District Court of Maryland for Prince George's County, Maryland, 1986-90; Judge, Orphans Court (Probate Court) for Prince George's County, Maryland, 1978-86; Managing Partner, Platt & Risner, 1976-86.

Steven Platt has taught the use of mediation and arbitration in resolving Business Disputes to Judges and Lawyers both in Maryland and nationally through both The Judicial Education Program of The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies (served on Judicial Advisory Board), and through The American College of Business Court Judges (Immediate Past- President).  

From June 17, 1997 until March 26, 2007 when he retired, Judge Kenney served as an Associate Judge of the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. Prior to that Judge Kenney engaged in the private practice of law which included a general practice with a concentration on real estate, land use, regulatory practice, administrative law, business transactions and litigation. Prior to that Judge Kenney was an Assistant States Attorney in St. Mary’s County. 

Because of his acknowledged expertise Judge Kenney was selected to serve as Chair of the St. Mary’s County Economic Development Commission. He also served as a Member of the Governor’s Commission on Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowner’s Associations during the 1980’s. From 1994-1999 Judge Kenney served on the Board of Governors of the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center and from 2002-2005 Judge Kenney was a member of the Maryland Code Revision Commission Housing Article Review Committee. 

Click to view the full resume of Judge James A. Kenney (Ret.)

Click to view the full resume of Susan B. Bastress, Esq.

Andrea has had the unique experience of working at the federal, state and local levels, as an Assistant United States Attorney, Chief Counsel to the Governor of Maryland, and an Associate County Attorney for Prince George’s County.  She has engaged in all aspects of civil discovery, trials, mediation, and appellate proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the Maryland trial courts, the Maryland Court of Appeals, and the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and brings the knowledge gained from those experiences as well as the skills developed to her role as a mediator and arbitrator.

Andrea was named among Maryland’s top 40 Legal Elite in 2005 and 2006, and was named by Superlawyers Magazine as one of the top attorneys in Maryland and the Washington D.C. area for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  

Click to view the full resume of Andrea Leahy-Fuchek, Esquire 

Donald E. Sharpe, Esquire, a retired partner at DLA Piper and formerly a partner at its precursor Piper & Marbury, LLP is currently engaged in private mediation, arbitration and neutral case evaluation of complex civil litigation. Mr. Sharpe spent the better part of his legal career as a litigator of complex civil cases. His knowledge, experience and communication skills have long been recognized by his peers at the highest level of his profession in the American Bar Association TIPS Section. There Don Sharpe has chaired the Products General Liability & Consumer Law Committee, served as a member of the task force on Selection & Performance for Retained Counsel as well as other leadership positions. He also has been and continues to be a member of the Maryland State Bar Association Ethics Committee since 1983.

Click to view the full resume of Donald Sharpe, Esq.