Hon. Ariel E. Belen (Ret.)

Before entering private practice in 2012, this neutral served as an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, and as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court. His extensive judicial career involved presiding over thousands of civil matters and authoring numerous landmark opinions. He now focuses on complex domestic and international dispute resolution, serving as a mediator and arbitrator in high-stakes commercial, construction, and employment cases.

A bilingual former appellate judge with significant experience in both domestic and international complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Appointed as the Federal Facilitator for the stop-and-frisk and trespass enforcement reforms in New York City.

He is highly regarded by legal professionals for his judicial temperament, deep legal knowledge, and ability to facilitate settlements in emotionally charged or legally complex disputes.