The Honorable Dennis R. O’Brien J.S.C. (Ret.), Of Counsel to Keefe Law Firm, has announced several settlements of significance. A Binding Arbitration overseen by Judge O’Brien concerning an auto accident, with the claimant citing traumatic brain injury and significant wage loss, awarded the claimant $825,000. After a Mediation conducted by Judge O’Brien, a claim of legal malpractice that arose from four PIP (Personal Injury Protection) claims was settled for $262,000. Another case mediated by Judge O’Brien where the plaintiff was a victim of a rear-end auto-accident, which resulted in three-level cervical fusion, settled for $650,000. Judge O’Brien also mediated a fire loss claim, which was resolved for $300,000. Recently, he mediated a major head-on collision case in which a husband and wife both suffered significant fractures and each needed multiple surgeries. The case resolved at Mediation for $1 million. Judge O’Brien also recently settled a highly contentious matrimonial case with significant financial disputes, saving the parties thousands in trial costs. He also has several ongoing matrimonial cases, land use disputes, and personal injury cases in mediation.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge O’Brien has been successfully conducting Mediations and Arbitrations electronically through Zoom. Once Governor Murphy lifted restrictions limiting gatherings, Judge O’Brien began conducting in-person Mediations and Arbitrations, all while practicing social distancing and taking proper precautions to ensure safety for all involved.
