Judge Giordano Selected for International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution Panels of Distinguished Neutrals

The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Litigation Practice Group, has been selected to serve as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR).

“I am excited to serve on the CPR Panels and look forward to continuing my mediation and arbitration work with such prominent and talented people. To be included is extremely humbling and I truly appreciate the recognition,” said Judge Giordano.

About the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals

CPR is an independent nonprofit organization that has been assisting in the prevention and resolution of legal conflict more effectively and efficiently through ADR, such as mediation, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, and dispute resolution boards, for over forty years. CPR's high standards are maintained by adherence to its Principles for Provider Organizations, ensuring that its mediators, arbitrators, and other neutrals are qualified and competent.

The CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals are comprised of prominent attorneys, retired state and federal judges, academics, business executives, legal experts, and dispute resolution professionals who are highly-qualified to resolve all business disputes. To be admitted as a panelist, individuals are peer-reviewed; screened for their ADR expertise and training; and candidate references are asked to comment on the applicant’s qualifications to serve on complex commercial disputes. Qualification to the CPR panels is exclusive and rigorous.

About Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.)

Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans Court. He was also the first judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over many jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation. He is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators; is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation; and has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) as a Diplomate Member for mediation

Judge Giordano is a member of the Board of Directors for the Notre Dame CYO, and of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society; and is the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, he was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victims’ Rights. Commencing January 1, 2020, Judge Giordano has been designated Vice-Chair of the statewide Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Judge Giordano earned his J.D. in 1985 from Villanova University School of Law and his B.A. from Moravian College in 1982. A proud Moravian College alumnus, he serves as an Adjunct Professor for undergraduate classes. Born in Brooklyn to Italian immigrant parents, Judge Giordano was the first in his family to attend high school and is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School, which presented him with its Distinguished Graduate Award.