Kimberly S. Courtney’s Biography

Kimberly is a seasoned litigation attorney with over twenty four years of legal experience. She currently provides nationwide arbitration and mediation services to help individuals and businesses resolve legal disputes more quickly and cost effectively outside of court. She also represents individuals and businesses in federal courts nationwide, and in state courts in New York and Massachusetts.

Her educational background includes a Bachelors of Arts in International Affairs, a Juris Doctor, and coursework completed towards a Master of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Laws (to be conferred shortly). Kimberly also received Mediation training from the American Arbitration Association.

During law school, Kimberly worked as an intern for judges in local, state and federal courts in New York, including the United States Court of International Trade, and the Office of the District Attorney in Rockland County, NY, in the Special Victims Unit.

Kimberly has also held internships at the Library of Congress, the Embassy of Venezuela, the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, and The White House.

She has worked at law firms of all sizes, including large, global law firms such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York, Morrison & Foerster in Tokyo, and Anderson Consulting Legal Network in Madrid.

Kimberly’s broad legal background has included the representation of individuals and businesses involving contracts, regulatory, licensing, and litigation matters, such as business disputes, real estate, employment, whistleblower, false claims act, higher education disciplinary, Title IX, ADA, and attorney general investigations.

Recently Kimberly held an elected Commissioner position representing constituents in the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (ANC) in Washington, DC’s, Ward 2, which includes the residence of the President of the United States. At the ANC Kimberly voted on behalf of constituents and made recommendations to the Council of the District of Columbia on local neighborhood matters, including matters before the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, the Zoning Commission, the Public Space Committee, the Mayor’s Special Events Task Group, and criminal matters involving the Metropolitan Police Department.

In her personal time Kimberly enjoys woodworking, animal behavior and rescue, photography, videography, cooking, and studying languages (spanish, italian, japanese, and hungarian, so far).

A Message from Attorney Kimberly S. Courtney

In over twenty years as an attorney, I have witnessed the emotional toll that litigation takes on all parties involved, regardless of who is right or wrong. A lawsuit can also take an excruciatingly long time, typically years, and can be so expensive that most people have no hope of defending themselves, which is especially devastating when facing false allegations.

Our legal system in the United States appears to be set up to keep individuals and businesses from representing themselves. Court rules and procedures are overly complicated, usually requiring a licensed attorney to navigate them.

There are alternatives to resolving disputes that avoid court, such as Arbitration or Mediation, which can greatly improve the cost and time commitment for all parties involved.

Arbitration & Mediation

Many disputes can be resolved quickly and relatively inexpensively through arbitration and mediation, instead of going to court.

An arbitrator is typically an experienced attorney who fairly and neutrally hears your case, similar to what a judge would do, and makes a decision resolving the case. The parties agree ahead of time whether the arbitrator’s decision will be binding, or non-binding (allowing for an appeal to court). Arbitration usually occurs in one or two sessions, either in person or online.

A mediator’s role is also typically an experienced attorney, who fairly and neutrally guides the parties to come to a resolution of their dispute together. This usually occurs in one or two sessions, either in person or online, with the goal of executing a settlement agreement at the end of the process.

Both arbitration and mediation are excellent ways to resolve a dispute. Even if the process does not result in a settlement agreement, the parties can learn a lot about their own priorities and those of their opponent, which can be invaluable going forward.

I enjoy helping individuals and businesses resolve their legal disputes fairly, quickly, and cost effectively.

If you need help with a legal dispute, email me or schedule a consultation.

I am looking forward to working with you.