About

David E. Brenner, Esq.: A Skilled Arbitrator and Mediator

Overview

I serve as a Private Mediator and Arbitrator of civil litigation disputes. Following up on my experience as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Court of Common Pleas, I have been an agreed-upon Mediator and Neutral in many legal disputes. I am proud to note that my settlement success rate in Private Mediations is well over 90%.

My approach is to serve as a facilitator of communication. When helpful, I offer my opinion on the cases and issues presented. However, ultimately it is the evaluations of the litigants, their counsel and representatives that matter most. I seek common ground and assist the parties to a resolution.

I am regularly recommended as an Arbitrator and Neutral by both counsels for plaintiffs and defendants and their carriers. I can provide a list of carriers upon request and approval of the carriers. The list is long.

Pro Bono

Special Judge Pro Tempore for the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia

I continue to regularly sit as a special Judge Pro Tempore, on a volunteer basis, for the Court. I am often specially assigned complex matters, such as multi-party litigation and cases estimated to take a long period of time for trial.

During the year 2013, I was assigned by the Honorable Arnold New to assist the Honorable Sandra Mazer Moss (ret.) with the task of eliminating the backlog existing in the Day Forward 2011 program. Volunteering approximately twenty hours per week, I mediated more than 160 cases and settled or assisted in the immediate disposition of approximately 70% of the matters. I am aware of only four of those 160 cases actually trying to verdict.

I assisted the Honorable Lisa Rau (ret.) and have successfully mediated more than 100 cases at her direction. I am also receiving mediation assignments from Judges Dennis Cohen, and Shelly Robins-New. For my volunteer service to the Court, I was awarded the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania 2015 Pro Bono Publico Award for the Civil Division.

Educational Background

  • Widener University - Delaware Law School
    Wilmington, Delaware
    J.D. Awarded – May 1985

  • Rutgers College
    New Brunswick, New Jersey
    B.A. Awarded – May 1982

Bar Admission

  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
    Admitted – November 1985

  • United States District Court
    Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    Admitted – 1989

Legal Experience

Resolution Support Services, Inc.
President
January 2013 – Present

Nass, Cancelliere Brenner, P.C.
September 1984 to March 2018
Of Counsel to the Firm

For thirty-three years, I was employed at Howard, Brenner & Nass, P.C. and its predecessor firms, Briscoe Haggerty and Howard and George W. Howard, III, and Associates. Starting as a law clerk, I was then an associate and a shareholder and then president of the firm. In December of 2012, I took a non-equity part-time status with the firm, serving as “of counsel.” In that role, I served in the limited capacity of a settlement negotiator. I retired completely from the firm in March of 2018.

My experience with the firm was in various areas of civil litigation with an emphasis on mesothelioma and asbestos cases. Prior to serving as “of counsel,” my emphasis was on the negotiation of asbestos cases and other forms of litigation. I had also served as a litigator and trial counsel.

Personal

I am married with four children.

Non-legal Activities

PIAA Wrestling Official
Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County Foundation Board