Hon. Jack L. Libert (Ret.)
Mediator/Arbitrator
The Hon. Jack L. Libert is a former Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Nassau County, where he served from 2016 to 2021 in the general trial part and as head of the Asbestos Part. Currently, Judge Libert is the Chief of Staff for the Town of Hempstead, the largest township in the United States, with 800,000 residents. He joins Mediation Solutions with experience both in private practice and government service in the areas of zoning, land use, municipal law, and real estate.
In 1984 Judge Libert helped found the law firm that was then D’Amato Forchelli Libert Schwartz & Mineo in Garden City, NY, where he would work until 1992. The firm’s practice focused on real estate and commercial matters, including zoning and land use, litigation, and transactions. While at the firm, he drafted a new zoning code for the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook.
Over the next 10 years, from 1992-2002, he served as General Counsel and Chief Executive Officer of the real estate division of Benjamin Development Co., Inc., where he oversaw all legal affairs including real estate and health care facility acquisitions, real estate offering plans, litigation, labor matters, regulatory issues, and taxation, as well as acquisition, project development and municipal permitting and approvals.
From 2010-2015, he returned to the practice of law as a partner at his former firm, now Forchelli Curto Deegan Schwartz Mineo Cohn & Terrana, LLP, concentrating his practice in zoning and land use, municipal law, and complex real estate transactions.
Judge Libert’s position with the Town of Hempstead is not his first foray into government service. From 1975-1984 he served Counsel to the Board for the Nassau County Board of Supervisors, the predecessor body to the Nassau County Legislature. He drafted legislation, conducted legislative review on behalf of the County Executive, the Supervisors of Nassau’s three townships, the Supervisor of the City of Long Beach, and the Mayor of the City of Glen Cove, and reviewed proposed settlement of negligence cases, tax certiorari and other litigation prior to submission to the Board for approval.
Judge Libert was the Deputy Village Attorney and Special Counsel to the Village of Lynbrook from 1986-2015, where he served as a legal advisor to the Village Board and Board of Zoning Appeals on zoning and land use planning, condemnation, and various types of municipal litigation. From 2005-2010, he worked for the Town of Oyster Bay, first as the Commissioner of Planning and Development and then as head of the Department of Public Works.
As Commissioner of Planning and Development, he drafted new legislation concerning environmental issues, zoning, and labor matters, and worked closely with the Town Attorney and staff counsel to oversee prosecution of and compliance with code violations. As head of the Department of Public Works, he oversaw compliance with labor and environmental statutes, worked with outside counsel on litigated contract matters, and with DEC and EPA on environmental permits as required for town projects and facilities.
Judge Libert served on the Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals from 1996-2004, where he chaired hearings reviewing proposals for zoning variances and special use permits. He has also served as a trustee, and then as mayor of the Incorporated Village of Woodsburgh.
Judge Libert’s extensive experience in zoning, land use, municipal law, and real estate transactions makes him one of the most qualified individuals in the industry. He is available to mediate or arbitrate cases virtually or in any of our offices.
Mediating/Arbitrating Cases In:
- Zoning and land use
- Real estate
- Municipal Law
- Commercial matters
- Labor negotiations and disputes
- Personal injury
- Medical malpractice
Professional Experience
Chief of Staff, Town of Hempstead (2021-present)
Sole Principal, JLL Mediation and Arbitration, PLLC (2020 – Present)
Justice of the NYS Supreme Court, 10th Judicial District (2016-2021)
Partner, Forchelli Curto Deegan Schwartz Mineo Cohn & Terrana, LLP (2010-2015)
Town of Oyster Bay, (2005-2010)
Commissioner of the Department of Planning & Development (2005-2007)
Department of Public Works (2007-20100
General Counsel, Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Development Co., Inc., (1992-2002)
Partner and Founding Member, D’Amato Forchelli Libert Schwartz & Mineo (1984-1992)
Counsel to the Board, Nassau County Board of Supervisors (1975-1984)
Deputy Village Attorney/Special Counsel Village of Lynbrook (1986-2015)
Education
Certificate of Completion of NYUCS Initial Mediation Training, 2022
Certificate of Completion of Advanced Commercial Mediation Training, 2022
Hofstra University School of Law, J.D., 1974
Hofstra University Hempstead, B.A., 1974
Honors
Hofstra School of Law, Judicial Alumni Award, 2018
Touro School of Law, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, 2015
Long Island Business News, Leadership in Law Award
Martindale Hubbard AV Rating in Legal ability and ethics for more than 40 years. Listed as Preeminent Attorney in the Judicial Edition.
Found “well qualified” to serve as Justice of Supreme Court by Nassau County Bar Association, 2015
Memberships and Professional Activities
Chair, Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals, 1996-2004
Trustee (1987-1989), Mayor (1989-1992), Incorporated Village of Woodsburgh
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