650.328.9500
Jack P. Levin, Esq.
Arbitrator and Mediator
Download Bio Contact Case ManagerFor nearly forty years, Jack Levin litigated in courts and arbitral forums throughout the United States, beginning his career with a federal clerkship and then with Davis Polk & Wardwell. He was a founding partner of Howard, Darby & Levin and its successor firm, Howard, Smith & Levin LLP, whichmerged with Covington & Burling LLP. He began to acquire training and experience in mediation and arbitration, as clients increasingly sought conflict resolution with reduced cost and risk. In 2001, while a Covington partner, he served as acting head of litigation (North America) for UBS Warburg. He took Retired Partner status from Covington in 2011 to work full-time as an independent domestic and international mediator, arbitrator and creator of conflict solutions. He is particularly adept at helping parties navigate the emotional and practical aspects of high conflict, seemingly intractable, situations
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Areas of Expertise:
- ACCOUNTING/FINANCE
- APPELLATE
- ATTORNEY FEE/MALPRACTICE
- BANKING/LENDER LIABILITY
- CIVIL RIGHTS
- CONTRACTS
- EMPLOYMENT / LABOR
- INSURANCE / REINSURANCE
- IP (TRADEMARK & COPYRIGHT)
- INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION
- LICENSING (SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY)
- PATENT
- PHARMACEUTICALS
- REAL ESTATE
- SECURITIES/FINANCIAL SERVICES
- TRADE SECRET
ADR Experience and Qualifications:
- Arbitrated more than 100 matters since 2011
- Mediated several hundred matters since 1999
- Commercial, Large Complex Case and Master Mediator Panels of the American Arbitration Association
- Arbitrator Panel of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution
- Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators
- Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
- Banking, Accounting and Financial Services, Cross-Border and Employment Panels of CPR: The International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution
- CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) Mediator (Investor-State Disputes)
- Mediation Roster of FINRA DR (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution)
- Special Master of the Appellate Division, First Judicial Department (New York)
- Mediation Panels of the Commercial Division of Supreme Court New York County and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Representative Matters:
As an advocate:
- Claims by an investment trust against a public company, its law firm and a Big Four auditor for fraud in connection with a private placement
- Claims by domestic companies and foreign banks against a bank arising out of the demise of Integrated Resources
- Bondholder claims against RJ Reynolds and KKR arising out of a leveraged buy-out
- Class actions against investment banks
- Claims against a manufacturer in connection with the termination of a distributor
- Hostile tender offer between two life insurance companies
- Fee claim by insurance industry investment boutique in connection with acquisition of an insurance company
- Claims of corporate raiding between investment banking firms
- Claims by customers of introducing firms against clearing firm
- Fee claims by a medical technology investment banking boutique in connection with sales of medical device companies
- Claims by Japanese electronics manufacturer against a global bank in connection with a fraud on numerous Japanese companies
- Claims by a drilling company in connection with a fraudulent energy “roll-up”
- Claims relating to the executive buy-out of a securities firm affiliate
- Claims by a global bank against Sallie Mae concerning student loan programs
- Claims against a Liechtenstein bank concerning receipt of stolen securities
As an arbitrator or mediator:
Financial
- Chair of arbitration panel in dispute between owners and servicers of residential mortgage loans and issuer of mortgage insurance policies
- Sole arbitrator in consolidated arbitrations between a financial institution and a servicer arising out of the financial institution’s consent decree settlements with federal regulators
Manufacturing
- Mediation of international dispute between manufacturers of turbines
- Mediation of disputes among owners of family-held businesses
- Mediation of dispute involving repair of commercial passenger jet engines
Pharmaceutical / Medical Devices
- Chair of arbitration panels in disputes between pharmaceutical patent holders and licensees
- Mediation of dispute between holder of pharmaceutical patents and licensee
- Mediation of dispute between manufacturers of medical devices
Investment and Trading
- Sole arbitrator in hedge fund break-up
- Sole arbitrator in ad hoc international arbitration concerning blockchain instrument and U.S. securities laws
- Sole arbitrator in dispute between terminated CEO and private equity firm
- Sole arbitrator in dispute between hedge fund and founding partner accused of unfair competition
- Mediation of dispute between state pension fund and global investment bank
- Mediation of disputes between investment management firms and former employees
Legal and Accounting
- Sole arbitrator in dispute between senior partner and global law firm
- Sole arbitrator in dispute between firm and founding partner terminated for alleged fraud
- Mediator in dispute between law firm and former client where law firm partners changed firms
- Mediator in disputes between high level managers of global accounting firms and the firms
- Co-arbitrator in dispute over alleged professional misconduct in audit of public company
- Co-arbitrator in dispute over accountant’s liability for fraud in the client firm
Real Estate
- Chair of arbitration panel in family business dispute between minority member and parents over the conduct of limited liability corporations holding and managing New York City real estate
- Chair of arbitration panel in dispute between real estate developer and parties financing the construction of major Manhattan residential tower
- Med-arb in dissolution dispute between owners and developers of Manhattan real estate
Information Technology and Internet
- Sole arbitrator in dispute between hospital system and provider of software systems
- Mediation of trademark dispute between competitors in on-line businesses
- Sole arbitrator in disputes brought by users of online games
- Mediation of trademark dispute between dating websites
Energy and Power
- Chair of arbitration panel in dispute between electric utility and owners of power plant
- Mediation of international dispute between supplier and purchaser of equipment for transmission of electric power
Selected Presentations, Publications and Honors:
- “Fixing ‘Unfixable’ Errors in Arbitration Awards,” New York Law Journal, February 19,2026
- “Designing Business Disputes: How Shall We Fight?” New York Law Journal, October 28, 2025
- Actor in the Role of the Lawyer, “Representing Clients in Mediation / The Skills of Advocacy” / the New York Law School Alternative Dispute Resolution Skills Program, written by F. Peter Phillips, directed by David Stott. 2025. https://www.nyls.edu/academics/specialty-areas/centers-and-institutes/alternative-dispute-resolution-skills-program/representing-clients-in-mediation/
- Presenter, Webinar: “Best Practices In Commercial Mediation,” sponsored by Mediation Chambers and Resolve Academy, 2025
- Judge, CPR International Mediation Competition,” São Paulo, Brazil, 2023
- Judge Judith O. Hollinger ADR Program Third Annual ADR Symposium, “Current Issues in International Arbitration,” Speaker, USC Gould School of Law, 2018
- Tutor, Fast Track Program to Fellowship in International Arbitration, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, 2014, 2016
- Faculty, New York State Bar Association, Commercial Arbitration Training, 2011, 2013, 2015-2017, 2020-2023
- CPR Brazil Business Mediation Congress, São Paulo, Panel Member on Banking and Financial Services, 2015
- New York Super Lawyers (2007-2025) (2009-2025) for Alternative Dispute Resolution
Former Positions:
- Partner, Covington & Burling LLP, 1999-2011
- Director of Litigation, UBS Warburg (North America), 2001
- Partner, Howard, Smith & Levin, 1998-99
- Partner, Howard, Darby & Levin LLP, 1983-98
- Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell, 1972-83
- Law Clerk, U.S. District Judge Murray I. Gurfein, Southern District of New York, 1971-72
Admitted to Practice:
- New York (1972)
- New Jersey (1972)
Education:
- D., University of Pennsylvania Law School (1971)
- A., Rutgers College (1968)
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