Archer & Greiner: Three distinguished legacies continue

After decades of issuing legal decisions from the bench, the Honorable Marie Lihotz (Ret.), the Honorable Raymond Batten (Ret.) and the Honorable Lee Solomon (Ret.) continue their legacy and service at Archer & Greiner, applying unparalleled legal insight, steady leadership and courtroom credibility to help clients resolve even the most complex disputes. 

 

 

The Art of Resolution

The Honorable Marie Lihotz (Ret.), Of Counsel at Archer & Greiner, may have spent years on the bench, but these days, her courtroom is virtual, her gavel metaphorical and her mission as sharp as ever: to help people resolve disputes with dignity and efficiency. 

Since leaving the Appellate Division of New Jersey’s judiciary, Lihotz has emerged as a respected mediator, arbitrator and consultant – offering not only legal precision to her clients and colleagues at Archer, but also a deep understanding of the emotional dynamics that often underlie conflict. What sets her apart is her ability to listen – not just to arguments, but to what motivates them. 

“Sometimes it’s purely financial, but other times, it’s deeply personal,” says Lihotz. “I’ve had cases where one party just wants an apology. That’s it. And if you can get the other side to give it – genuinely – it can make a huge difference.”

In her view, successful dispute arbitration and mediation requires more than legal knowledge – it demands a level of emotional intelligence and the ability to pay close attention to detail. Qualities she honed through her 20 years on the bench. 

“You have to pay attention – not just to what people say, but to how they say it, what they don’t say, how they act,” she explains. “It takes a real degree of emotional intelligence.”

Lihotz also works behind the scenes with other Archer attorneys, helping them sharpen their writing and thinking. 

“I’ve always been someone who wants to talk to other people, to bounce around ideas,” she says. “You see an angle you hadn’t considered before, and it changes how you approach the case.”

Whether resolving business breakups or finalizing custody arrangements, Lihotz keeps one principle at the center: Listen first. 

“The biggest skill mediators and arbitrators need is the ability to listen. Really listen,” she says. “That’s how you find a resolution people can live with – and move on.”

 

 

The Neutral Ground

After 23 years on the bench and more than 93,000 cases resolved, the Honorable Raymond Batten (Ret.), Of Counsel at Archer & Greiner, has no interest in slowing down. But instead of rendering verdicts, the former Superior Court Judge now works to help Archer clients resolve disputes without ever stepping foot in a courtroom. 

“I bring a broad familiarity with the law and, I hope, a unique ability to ask the right questions, search for meaningful answers and help people resolve disputes short of trial,” he says. 

Batten’s current responsibilities are broad and varied. He mediates complex civil matters, arbitrates disputes across sectors, serves as a hearing officer in government and departmental proceedings and acts as a discovery master in high-stakes commercial litigation. Batten’s unique strength lies in the range of experience he brings to the table – particularly his long service in both Family and Criminal Courts, and later in General Equity and Probate.

That range, he says, matters. 

“In divorce actions, for example, you’re routinely dealing with financial disputes, alimony, child support, division of assets. It’s the unwinding of a couple’s entire financial life,” says Batten. “The skills I developed there – asset valuation, budget analysis, equitable distribution – translate directly to complex commercial disputes.”

Through mediation, Batten sees the greatest potential to transform outcomes – and lives. 

“One of the most important principles for any mediator to remember is that you’re not there to pick a winner. That’s the role of an arbitrator,” he says. “As a mediator, you’re there to listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions that encourage the parties to reexamine the issues from a new angle.”

And the ultimate goal, he says, isn’t just resolution – it’s peace. 

“Mediation gives the parties control over their own destiny,” he says. “The terms may not be perfect for either side, but when taken as a whole, the agreement is fair enough and allows everyone to move on. It’s not about winning. It’s about closure, control and peace.”

 

 

A Judicial Mind

The Honorable Lee Solomon (Ret.), Of Counsel at Archer & Greiner, brings a lifetime of legal, judicial and governmental experience to a broad and impactful practice at Archer – including 10 years of service as a Justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court. Now a member of Archer’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Group, Solomon’s work spans far beyond business disputes. He draws on decades of experience as a litigator, prosecutor, regulator and judge to offer clients strategic guidance that can change the course of a case – or even a career.

Having served in every division of the trial bench – civil, criminal and family, Solomon is particularly valued for his ability to cut through complexity and offer sound, strategic advice. 

“Being a judge is really about having good judgment,” he says. “And that applies everywhere.” 

Clients and colleagues now seek him out not just for legal representation, but for guidance that shapes outcomes.

“When you give a client good counsel on these matters, it changes the trajectory of the case,” Solomon says. “Effective advice, when it’s useful, direct, clear and grounded in a reasonable legal basis, can significantly shift the client’s course of action and have a major impact on the outcome.”

Every day, he relies on the same principles he followed as a prosecutor. 

“I used to say: It’s just as important to know when not to prosecute as it is to know when to prosecute. Justice has to be served,” he says. “The same principle applies here. When clients come in with an idea of what they want to do, it’s our job to steer them in the right direction, to help them do what’s best for them, within the bounds of the law and our ethical responsibilities.”

That philosophy extends to everything from securing licenses to determining whether to pursue an appeal. 

“Your guidance affects everything,” he says. “It influences not just the client’s likelihood of success, but how they approach the issue as a whole. That makes all the difference.”  

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