Mark Bunim

Mark J. Bunim, Esq.

Mediator & Arbitrator | Commercial, Insurance Coverage & Complex Business Disputes

New York | 40+ Years Legal Experience | 450+ Mediations

Professional Overview

Mark J. Bunim is a New York mediator and arbitrator with more than 40 years of legal experience and 450+ mediations involving commercial, insurance, business, professional liability, employment, real estate, construction, healthcare, technology, and other complex civil disputes.

A former commercial and insurance coverage litigator, Mr. Bunim brings substantial subject-matter experience to disputes involving insurance coverage and allocation, complex contracts, partnerships and joint ventures, business relationships, professional liability, and multi-party commercial conflicts.

Before concentrating on alternative dispute resolution, Mr. Bunim represented businesses, insurers, policyholders, and other parties in sophisticated commercial and insurance litigation. He was formerly a Partner at Robinson Silverman Pearce Aronsohn & Berman, later Bryan Cave LLP, where he headed the firm's insurance coverage litigation team. He subsequently served as Managing Partner of Ohrenstein & Brown.

Mr. Bunim has served as a mediator, sole arbitrator, panel arbitrator, and arbitration chair in domestic and international matters. His combination of litigation, insurance, business, mediation, and arbitration experience allows him to understand both the legal issues underlying a dispute and the financial and business considerations influencing resolution.

Mediation Approach

Mr. Bunim approaches mediation from the perspective of both an experienced advocate and a seasoned neutral.

In complex commercial and insurance matters, he works with counsel, corporate representatives, insurers, professionals, and other decision-makers to identify the issues preventing resolution, evaluate litigation and financial risk, narrow areas of disagreement, and explore practical settlement alternatives.

His approach recognizes that sophisticated disputes are rarely driven by legal issues alone. Contractual relationships, insurance obligations, financial exposure, business objectives, litigation costs, and continuing commercial relationships may all affect a party's settlement position.

His role is to help participants evaluate those considerations within a structured negotiation process and determine whether a practical resolution can be reached.

ADR Panels & Professional Leadership

Mr. Bunim's ADR appointments and professional affiliations include:

• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN)
• New York Academy of Mediators and Arbitrators
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Mediation Panel
• New York State Supreme Court Commercial Division Mediator Panel
• Executive Committee, New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section
• Former Co-Chair, Insurance Dispute ADR Committee, New York State Bar Association
• Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators

His advanced mediation and arbitration training has included programs through the CPR Center for Dispute Resolution, New York State Supreme Court Commercial Division, American Arbitration Association, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and ARIAS-US.

Professional Experience & Thought Leadership

Before focusing on dispute resolution, Mr. Bunim spent decades handling complex commercial and insurance-related litigation, including insurance coverage and recovery, allocation disputes, contracts, risk management, and other sophisticated business matters.

He is also a frequent speaker and author on alternative dispute resolution, insurance, and related legal issues. He has presented for organizations including the New York State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Claims & Litigation Management conferences.

His writings have appeared in the New York Law Journal, Litigation Management Magazine, and Dispute Resolution Journal.

Arbitration Experience

Mr. Bunim has served as chair, sole arbitrator, and panel arbitrator in domestic and international proceedings involving commercial, insurance, contract, partnership, professional liability, real estate, construction, healthcare, technology, and related business disputes.

His arbitration and mediation panel appointments include:

American Arbitration Association (AAA)

• Large Complex Case Panel
• Commercial Panel
• Insurance Specialty Panel
• Mediation Panel

FedArb

• Commercial Arbitrators & Mediators Panel
• Representation & Warranty Insurance Specialty Panel

Mr. Bunim is also a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators.

Mediation Practice Areas