Judge Sontchi has mediated disputes in numerous state and federal courts, including pre-litigation matters. He has successfully served as a mediator in mass tort cases such as Aearo Technologies (3M), Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans, and Tehum Care Services. He has also served as a mediator in commercial insolvency cases pending in numerous jurisdictions – most of which have been successfully resolved.
Judge Sontchi has both formal training and extensive experience in mediation. He first expressed an interest in mediation as a first-year associate when he was trained as a mediator through the Delaware Superior Court mediation program. As a judge, he participated in the multi-day mediation training provided by the Federal Judicial Center. Throughout his service in the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, he volunteered to assist his colleagues by mediating complex suits and, more often than not, aided the parties in reaching an agreement.
While Judge Sontchi always attempts to resolve a mediation through one or two all-day sessions, he is tireless in his pursuit of a resolution. He keeps the parties in contact and moving towards settlement, usually through individual email, telephone, or Zoom sessions. And, once an agreement in principle is reached, he keeps the parties engaged to ensure the settlement is consummated.
