AWARD WINNERS

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

HON. PETER B. SKELOS (RET.)

Of Counsel | Hearing Officer Forchelli Deegan Terrana LLP | NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation)

With 42 years of experience in the law, 21 of which were as a member of the New York State Judiciary, including 11 years as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division Second Judicial Department (which includes Nassau and Suffolk counties), Hon. Peter B. Skelos (Ret.) has a keen understanding in diverse areas of the law. Since 2016, Judge Skelos has been Of Counsel at Forchelli, Deegan, Terrana, LLP in Uniondale, New York. For the past eight years he has been a neutral at NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) where he focuses on resolving disputes in commercial, construction, employment, insurance coverage, labor, matrimonial, medical malpractice, and more.

In the context of employment litigation, he has been invited to present CLE programs on topics that include: "Arbitration and Mediation in the Workplace – Important Considerations for an ADR Program"; "Reasonable Accommodation in the Workplace Under the ADA"; and "Gender Diversity in Arbitration and Mediation: If Not Now, When? Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR", to name a few.

He has been an active member of various bar associations and community organizations, including the We Care Advisory Committee of the Bar Association of Nassau County, of which he served as co-chair for three years. He has received the President’s Award in recognition of his leadership on behalf of the Lawyers Assistance Program of the Nassau Bar Association and has consistently been voted a Top Ten neutral in the NYLJ “Best of” Survey.

Q&A

What/who inspired you to be on the path you’re on today?

My mother and father have always been the inspirations for my professional and personal achievements. My mother taught me compassion and honor in helping those less fortunate. My father was a model of professional perseverance and dedication to the family.