I had a very contentious dispute among multiple parties. I asked Judge Telesca if he would mediate. He agreed. The day of the mediation Judge Telesca entered the room looked at the parties and read off their names. Everyone in the room was Italian but me. After reading the names, the judge turned to me and said, “Dave, you are the only non-Italian in the room. I need to explain something to you. This case is like an Italian wedding where someone was offended and years later can’t let it go.” Everyone in the room had a good long and healthy laugh. They were shaking their heads in agreement and smiling. It was the first time in the case that the animosity began to subside. Although, the case did not settle that day. It was the catalyst for a settlement a few months later. Judicial wisdom sometimes includes humor and timing. Judge Telesca had both.