Susan Hernandez, Esq. has served as a Hearing Officer with NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) for more than a decade and is a strong advocate for the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Drawing on her extensive background as the former Mediation Coordinator for the Supreme Court, Bronx County, Ms. Hernandez brings a wealth of experience to her work as both an arbitrator and mediator.

She has heard over ten thousand cases in her mediation career that spans a wide range of matters—from smaller value cases to complex, multi-million-dollar disputes—and includes personal injury matters involving automobile, construction, premises and product liability, as well as contract disputes, employment, negligence/torts, medical malpractice, professional liability, real property and partition actions, sexual abuse and harassment matters. Ms. Hernandez approaches every case with a commitment to achieving fair, efficient, and practical resolutions.

Ms. Hernandez’s excellence in ADR has been widely recognized. In 2024, she was voted a Top Mediator in the New York Law Journal “Best Of” survey, following previous distinctions as the #1 Mediator in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. In 2020, she was ranked among the Top Three Mediators and Arbitrators. The New Jersey Law Journal “Best Of” survey likewise named her a Top Three Mediator/Arbitrator in 2023, having previously ranked her #1 in both 2020 and 2022.

In 2012, Ms. Hernandez was appointed to lead the Mediation Pilot Program in the Bronx Supreme Court, a joint initiative of the Appellate Division, First Department, and the Bronx County Supreme Court. As Mediation Coordinator, she mediated and conferenced multiple cases daily, successfully resolving or disposing of well over 1,000 cases. In addition to mediating and conferencing cases, she trained and assisted Court Attorneys in the settlement and conferencing of Supreme Court matters.

Before that appointment, Ms. Hernandez served as Chief of Staff to the Presiding Justice of the Supreme Court, Bronx County, where she managed administrative operations, supervised staff, and coordinated judicial activities. Earlier in her career, as a litigator in private practice, she handled personal injury matters from inception through trial, serving as managing attorney and partner at several law firms and overseeing all phases of litigation and settlement negotiations.

Her professional accolades include being named a National Law Journal 2017 Alternative Dispute Resolution Champion, an honor bestowed on only 37 individuals nationwide, for the second consecutive year. She was also recognized as a Top Ten Mediator in the New York Law Journal “Best Of” surveys in 2015 and 2016, a Top Ten Arbitrator in 2016, and received the 2015 Mediator of the Year Award from the Institute of Jewish Humanities.

Highly regarded for her advocacy, legal acumen, and insight, Ms. Hernandez is a dedicated supporter of women’s rights and workplace diversity. She frequently lectures on initiatives to promote the appointment of women and minorities to judicial, arbitration, and mediation roles within the ADR field.

Ms. Hernandez is available to arbitrate and mediate matters throughout the New York Metropolitan area.