The Honorable Leonard B. Austin (Ret.) Joins NAM's Highly Regarded Panel of Neutrals
News
New York, NY (January 25, 2022) – NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) is proud to announce the addition of the Honorable Leonard B. Austin (Ret.) to its highly regarded roster of neutrals.
Justice Austin joins NAM after a remarkable and longstanding judicial career in New York which culminated in his ascension to the Appellate Division, Second Department, as an Associate Justice. There, he served with distinction for nearly thirteen years and handled approximately 1,000 matters yearly, involving a wide breadth of complex subject areas.
Prior to his term as Associate Justice, he served as Justice of the Supreme Court in both Suffolk and Nassau Counties in New York. In Suffolk, Justice Austin was assigned to the dedicated Matrimonial Part where he worked with parties in fostering resolutions that were in the best interest of all involved and recommended creative solutions to difficult financial and emotional issues. Shortly thereafter, he was assigned to the Commercial Division in Nassau County where he served for nine years and heard and resolved more than 2,000 cases addressing a wide variety of commercial matters including corporate and employment issues, as well as construction contract claims. In addition, he heard and tried numerous medical and dental malpractice, product liability, and real estate cases. While serving in the trial court, he handed down approximately 500 decisions each year of which more than 100 were published annually. He also drafted the original Statewide Rules of the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court which required mediating between upstate and downstate concerns to reach a consensus.
Prior to serving on the bench, Justice Austin was engaged in private practice for 21 years where he focused primarily on complex commercial litigation, matrimonial and family issues, personal injury, and real estate matters.
Justice Austin can facilitate the settlement of cases involving a wide range of practice areas. He is a hard-working and detail-oriented jurist, known for his intelligence, patience, and ability to assist in the resolution of even the most complex matters.
Jason Brennan, NAM's CEO, stated, “I am honored to welcome Judge Austin to NAM's exceptional panel of neutrals. He is highly respected throughout the legal community and both sides of the bar have expressed confidence and trust in his judgement and legal acumen.”
Roy Israel, Chairman and Founder of NAM, stated, “Judge Austin is known for being proactive, practical, patient and intelligent. His superior settlement skills when resolving commercial matters coupled with his extensive legal experience will serve NAM's clients well.”
Justice Austin is available to arbitrate and mediate cases nationally, via videoconferencing or in-person, throughout New York State. He can also aid in the drafting of briefs and memoranda of law and in the preparation of oral argument in the appellate and trial courts.