Jeffrey Zuckerman’s practice is devoted to the mediation of disputes, both before and after litigation has commenced. An experienced litigator who has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of cases, including federal, state, and regulatory matters, Mr. Zuckerman brings tremendous depth of knowledge, balance and objectivity to the mediation process, working with all parties to understand their point of view, honestly and dispassionately helping them to assess their risk, and working tirelessly to help bring the parties to a sensible and fair resolution of their differences.
Mr. Zuckerman’s specialties include securities industry, shareholder and customer disputes, including class actions, business and commercial disputes, banking and consumer practices, partnership break-ups, shareholder and partner valuations, and insurance liability claims. He also mediates cases involving construction, real estate, product liability, employment, intellectual property, personal injury claims, and more.
He serves on various neutral panels including FINRA’s Mediation and Arbitration Rosters and the Supreme Court of the State of New York Mediation Rosters for New York, the Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Orange, Putnam and Dutchess Counties, and as a Special Master in the Appellate Division, Second Department’s mandatory Civil Appeals Mediation Program. Mr. Zuckerman is adept at conducting mediations both in person and online.
Mr. Zuckerman’s professional background includes more than six years in senior positions with the SEC’s Enforcement Division in New York, including as Special Trial Counsel, Senior Trial Counsel and Assistant Regional Administrator; approximately ten years as Deputy General Counsel and Deputy Compliance Director at global financial service companies; and more than 20 years in private practice representing individuals and companies in complex litigation and regulatory matters. In 2019, recognizing the tremendous waste of time, energy and money that clients devote to litigation, Mr. Zuckerman transitioned his practice to focus on mediation and alternative dispute resolution services.
As noted, Mr. Zuckerman’s practice is devoted to alternative dispute resolution with a focus on mediation. Recent mediations include the following: shareholder dispute alleging misappropriation and mismanagement; liability claims under section 240(1) of the NY Labor Law; breach of contract claims; claims of improper consumer credit banking practices; allegations of fraud and misappropriation by an investment manager; claims of fraud and breach of contract involving the grant of a telecommunications easement; mortgage foreclosure proceedings and related notice issues; suits to recover on notes and guarantees against taxi fleet owners who defended on grounds of lender misconduct; personal liability and property damage cases and related insurance coverage issues; navigation law claims against fuel companies for ground water contamination; claims against condo associations alleging violation of restrictive covenants; enforcement of a non-compete clause against a former employee; claims against a bank for an unauthorized transfer; suit for loss of sepulcher relating to the mishandling of a body; suit for breach of contract and fraud involving the sale of real property; suit for specific performance relating to a massive NYC commercial development project; suit against insurance broker for failing to notify the correct carrier; dispute between contractor and sub involving claims of construction delay and non-performance; allegations of fraud in the inducement of the sale of a nursing home; suit by the NYC Comptroller to enforce surety bonds; and more.
Honest and objective broker. Approach is tailored to the situation and the parties’ preferences.
Listens carefully to each side. Meticulously prepares so that the mediation is handled efficiently.
Willing to provide risk assessment to each side. Will generally do that privately unless the parties desire otherwise.
Willing to explore or suggest creative solutions to break an impasse and bridge differences.
