Profile

With more than 35 years’ experience as sole mediator in NY state’s unified court system, Ms. Kern-Rappy has successfully mediated over 6,500 disputes resolving a wide variety of complex litigation. Her persistence, patience, and meticulous attention to detail define how she approaches each case at every stage of conflict resolution. Ms. Kern-Rappy is especially skilled at multi-defendant mediation where her exceptional case research ethic is thoroughly applied to each party.

A visionary leader and role model, Ms. Kern-Rappy established the widely acclaimed mediation non-jury (Med-NJ) program early in her court career, earning her own chambers and developing the rules that provided direction to the initiative. As the only mediator and settlement coordinator in this unique program, Ms. Kern-Rappy served 60 Supreme Court judges in NYC and their staff, providing mediation strategy, counsel, and mentorship.

Ms. Kern-Rappy has co-chaired the NYS Bar Association Advocacy Committee as well as the ADR Section of the NY Women’s Bar Association. During her tenure with the NY Supreme Court, she served on the prestigious Chief Judge’s ADR Task Force, was the Court’s sole mediator with law interns from schools throughout the state and conducted Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)-related training with the Administrative Judge and the Bar.

With a strong interest in mediator work/life balance and mindfulness, Ms. Kern-Rappy created the highly acclaimed courthouse yoga and meditation program for NYS Justices and staff. She continues to train and mentor lawyers, students, and other professionals, and is a popular speaker and author in the mediation arena.