Joseph P. Spinola is a former Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County. He gained a reputation as an eminently qualified and even-handed jurist, who was highly effective with helping litigants resolve cases through the pre-trial mediation process. While on the bench, Judge Spinola helped facilitate hundreds of settlements.

Judge Spinola has extensive experience litigating and presiding over a wide array of civil disputes including complex commercial, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, business, employment, labor law, premises liability, insurance coverage, matrimonial, and financial matters. In addition to his ADR practice, Judge Spinola is a Special Professor of Law of Hofstra Law School. He has been involved in teaching Trial Techniques and Trial Advocacy since 1992.

Since leaving the bench in 2010, Spinola has become a full time mediator and one of the most popular and successful mediators in New York. He has been voted the #1 Mediator in the U.S. by lawyers in the National Law Journal for seven consecutive years (2018-2024). He was also voted the #1 Mediator in New York by lawyers in the New York Law Journal survey for a record five years in a row. He has developed a reputation for settling difficult cases. View the National Law Journal Announcement. Judge Spinola’s other accomplishments include being named for three consecutive years a National Law Journal Alternative Dispute Resolution Champion, as part of a select group of only 48 neutrals nationwide. In addition, Judge Spinola has been selected for the fifth consecutive year for inclusion in Super Lawyers in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Known for his detailed preparation and charismatic personality, Joe Spinola has one of the highest mediation settlement ratios. On the rare occasion a case is not settled at mediation, Spinola continues working with the counsel to make sure the case is ultimately resolved.

Judge Spinola employs a combination of facilitative and evaluative mediation, supplemented by his 35 + years experience as a litigator and judge. He also has the unique perspective of trying cases as a defense attorney, plaintiff’s attorney, and judge – which gives him the ability to understand all sides and aspects of the cases he mediates.

To schedule a mediation with Joseph Spinola, please call (800) 776-2060 or (516) 222-0688 or email [email protected].