Peter was a great friend and I believe one of the first mediator with us, while he was still with Allstate. I was the creator and president of Settlement Systems, starting in the 90's.
Peter, while having to pass much too early, was a gentleman,  intelligent, hard-working man, whom I always counted as one of  my best friends. 
He is fondly thought of and still in my prayers. God bless and health to all of us that were happy enough to have time with him.
Best and continued prayers. 
Jim Marthen,  
Settlement Systems 

I use to work with Peter J Merani when I use to work for American  Arbitration. He always made me laugh. He was my friend and Arbitrator.  He was such a great man 

I knew and loved Peter Merani for over 20 years.
I am a trial lawyer who appeared before Peter for Mediations and Arbitrations at NAM, many times.
He was fair and generous, and he had a great and gracious sense of humor.
He brightened my days.
I am sorry for the family's loss.
Please know that he was a cherished Man.

Mr. Merani was a wonderful person.  He always took the time to speak about matters outside of the legal issues in a specific case he was mediating.  He always made a point to remember personal details and family information about each attorney who appeared before him for a mediation.  It was always a pleasure to work with him and he will be sorely missed on both a personal and professional level.  My deepest condolences to his family.

I had the honor and privilege of knowing Mr. Merani for decades, and I will miss him tremendously.  He was a Man who was loved and well-respected by both sides of the Bar.   Mr. Merani embodied all of the best qualities of a seasoned Lawyer - professionalism, intellect, patience, and a great sense of humor.  I am thankful that he touched my life.  My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. 

I always looked forward to working on a case with Peter.  He  was professional, cordial, friendly and successful.  The best parts, however, were talking about things that didn't have to do with the case, especially family or his coin collection.  We'll miss him.

Peter was a great lawyer,mediator and arbitrator who was as erudite and perceptive as he was sensitive and decent to the needs of litigants and their lawyers. His understanding of the happiness that life brings and the humanities made him an extraordinary bridge builder. Even when he disagreed with my position and used logic and persuasion in a way that was painfully true I always like him. We send our condolences to his  family and honor his wonderful life of accomplishment.  

Peter was a wonderful human being and one hell of a mediator. I used to mediate and arbitrate cases in front of him for years and he always tried his best to get results for the attorneys that they can satisfied with, plaintiff or defense. 
We talked about his travels with family, especially the river cruises and his impressive coin collection. i always looked forward to seeing Peter and he will be very missed.

My condolences to Peter's family over his passing. He was truly a gentleman. I had the pleasure of working with him on several occasions  over many years as he mediated some very challenging cases for us.  His patience, diligence and experience were second to none.  I also very much enjoyed talking with him about travel and about his love of Italy.  He will be missed, by many.

I just picked up the NYLJ and read this. I had known this man for 37 years as an adversary, arbitrator and mediator. Peter  was the ultimate class act and one of the very best at what he did. I will miss him. God bless his family. We all feel as if we knew them since that was all Peter would talk about. Rest in peace my friend.

Peter started his meditation and arbitration life with me and settlement systems, when he was still with Allstate. He asked if that was ok and was told yes.  Pete was a great friend and a wonderful neutral. I am very sad about his family and I too will miss a full wonderful man. We will all be missing a terrific man and a great friend. 
God bless and sleep well my friend. 
Jim Marthen, president 
Settlement systems 

Dear Arlene, 

 I am so sorry for the pain of losing your loving husband.  I have known him for a relatively short time and only have fond memories of all my interactions with him.  You and he had so many wonderful experiences traveling with the family and when he talked about them, his face was aglow with happiness and satisfaction at being able to enjoy the memories.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.  Peter was a class act and will be missed by all of us at NAM.  I am sorry that I was unable to attend the services you had for him but I will remember him as he was.  Be well.
 Susan Hernandez

What a wonderful and caring man. I remember every time I appeared before him as an attorney and looked forward to seeing him every time I held hearings as an Arbitrator at 1225 Franklin. It was always a lovely surprise when Peter was there too!  I remember helping him get his Italian citizenship and running into him at the consulate. Another nice surprise. I will miss Peter. I wish I could have attended the  services out of respect for Peter.

Peter will be missed. 
Very smart, very classy. 
A great mediator and a great man. 

I find myself blessed to have known you Peter. May the words I write on this page reach your ears and touch your heart. I pray, that just like you..I too live my best life ever. The light from your smile touched us all. You were the first mediator at NAM to speak to me on my very first day....Fifteen years later, still a mediator, but to me a friend, a Italy travel guide, a guest at my wedding, a confidant and so much more. May you shine on us from above.. May you break Bread with God and his celestial angels. You will forever keep living in our memories and hearts. 
Thank you 

Peter Merani was a great man that will be deeply missed. He was always one of my favorite mediators at NAM. I will always remember him talking about his family that he was so proud of and his trips to Italy. I can’t imagine going to NAM and not seeing his smiling face there anymore.  My sincerest sympathies to his family. 

I'm unsure of what to write....with so much to say.  Met Peter at my 1st mediation at Settlement Systems in the basement of some building on Long Island in the mid 90's ..  He taught me how to mediate &  build relationships... life changing for me.  He was a great friend and mentor as I always enjoyed sharing a hug & a smile, whenever we saw each other...  I'm sure he's received a "standing ovation" as he walked thru Heaven's gates.   God Blessed you Peter, as you will be truly missed...  

Peter and I along with 2 others studied together at.Brooklyn Law School class of 1960.. He wore the same black suit to class every day. He was a very serious student and it paid off. Nobody worked harder.I was working for Allstate and encouraged him to apply which he did and. parlayed it into a very successful career.
I had a special affection for Pete as he was kind ,generous and just a good guy  .i am deeply saddened by his passing 

I met Mr. Merani 10 years ago at NAM working for USAA and not only was he a wonderful fair mediator but an even better person. I am honored to have known him and I'm saddened to hear of his passing. RIP Peter. You will be missed.

I always called him Judge.  He had that kind of presence.  RIP

It was an honor and a blessing to work with such an amazing man like Peter Merani for the past 15 years at NAM. 
He was a great human being and  one of the best mediators NAM has ever had. It will not be the same without him. 
May the Comfort of God Almighty be with the Merani family. 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
(Psalm 73:26) 

The first mediation I ever had was with Mr. Merani and I had to cover it last minute. 
I was on the express bus on my way from Whitestone to NAM and I google him , his picture pops up , I look up and he is sitting across from me! He was always the sweetest. May he rest in peace. 


I was very fortunate to have met Peter Merani 20 years ago at my first mediation.  He was always such a fair, compassionate and wonderful mediator & arbitrator.  No matter what side of the table you were on everyone loved him.  There was such a mutual respect between him and the attorneys that he was always booked up months in advance.  There are no words to express how much I will miss seeing him at NAM.  I will forever remember him as being an excellent mentor and role model to me throughout my career.  I extend my sincere condolences to all of his  family at this very difficult time. Peter Merani was truly a one of a kind individual and his memory will forever live on in the ADR and legal community that adored him so much.

I knew Peter Merani from our court days in the 1980's. I was in private practice and he worked for Allstate insurance. Peter began arbitration and mediation with AAA and NAM and I followed. Peter along with Ed Resnick were my initial mentors in the field. I knew Peter about 35 years and in that time I think he only owned white shirts!! He was there as a friend and a mentor. He loved his family and travel. He will be missed by many. RIP


I had the  pleasure of working with Peter at NAM for the past 13 years.  As great of a mediator/arbitrator as he was, he was an even greater human being.  His smiling face and twinkle in his eyes will be missed.  My heartfelt sympathies go out to the entire Merani family.



I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Merani for 11 years.  He has surely impacted my life in many ways as well as others.  He was lovable, personable, understanding and very funny at times. Even when booked to capacity he always had a moment to chat and catch up or even to help professionally or personally. There is nothing bad that can be said, he is a gem, simply a great person to know.  With love and fond memories, he is gone but never forgotten.

What can I say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23)

Love, 
Crystena Petit-Frere
NAM


Beyond being an accomplished mediator who could bring parties together, Peter always showed his caring side.  He would always inquire about how I was doing, either directly or through co-workers; he frequently spoke about his family and was proud of his family's accomplishments, and spoke proudly about his grandchildren; he enjoyed traveling with his family and collecting ancient coins.  

I will miss and remember always his caring attitude as well as his work ethic.  RIP Peter


In my 23 years at NAM,  Peter Merani was always someone to be admired and respected.  He was an exceptional mediator who worked tirelessly for the benefit of others.  He  is forever a part of those who were fortunate enough to work with him.  

Peter Merani was our dear friend and colleague. He was a special part of the  NAM family for the past 28 years, and it is difficult to imagine life at NAM without him.  Universally loved and respected by our clients and our panel, he will be deeply missed.   Sincerest condolences to the Merani family. 



I had the pleasure of working with Peter Merani for 23 years. I will never forget how kind and patient he was whenever I had a question or needed help. No matter how busy he was, he always took time for others. He was a kind and thoughtful man who made the people around him feel special. Rest in peace and know that we will never forget you. 
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life." 
John 5:24


Peter Merani was one of the first Mediators I worked with when I joined Nam 24 years ago.
I was so impressed by his talent to bring opposing parties together and keep everyone smiling.
I have worked with many  Hearing Officers in my career at NAM, but  Peter is one of the very few that just had that something special, that spark, I don’t know how to explain it, it’s a gift he shared with all that knew him & we all feel blessed for that privilege. Peter Merani will be dearly missed and never forgotten.


Peter was a friend and colleague .  I looked up to him as was easy to do.  He had respect and deserved every bit of it.   Going to miss this fellow human being tremendously    Very big loss to me and our profession  

Steve Dollinger  esq

Peter and I grew up together in East Harlem in NYC. We had been friends for over 70 years , I never had a better friend and will cherish his memory . We were the last of a  group of kids who played stoop ball under the name of the  Rockets. We weren't a gang but a team who loved to play ball . I will miss you Peter . Thanks for being my friend .

I knew Mr. Merani from his work as a mediator.  He was a gentleman, and among the very best mediators around.  Whenever I was at National Arbitration and Mediation I would see if he was there, and spend a few minutes catching up, even if he wasn't on my case.    It was always a pleasure to work with him.  My sincere condolences.  

Michael Taub
White Plains, NY

OBITUARY

Peter J. Merani, Esq.

17 March, 1936 – 12 February, 2020

Frederick Funeral Home

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