Hon. William E. McCarthy (Ret.)

Hon. William E. McCarthy (Ret.) is a reputable and sought after neutral; he has devoted his attention almost exclusively to his ADR practice since retiring from the bench at the end of 2018. Judge McCarthy has been an integral part of the New York State legal community for more than 35 years. He is well known not only in the Capital Region, but throughout the state for his preparation, professionalism, fairness and neutrality. Judge McCarthy has successfully mediated several hundred cases and has rendered hundreds of decisions as an arbitrator and hearing officer.

Prior to becoming a neutral, Judge McCarthy spent more than 12 years as an Appellate Justice, serving in both the Second (Brooklyn) (2006-2009) and Third (Albany) (2009-2018) Departments, where he considered more than 10,000 appeals and authored more than 1,000 opinions.

Before being elevated to the Appellate Division, Judge McCarthy served as a trial judge in the New York State Supreme Court, heading the Commercial Division (Albany County), where he facilitated the resolution of numerous complex commercial cases. Prior to taking judicial office, Judge McCarthy was a senior assistant counsel to the Governor and served as a principal law clerk to three Supreme Court judges. His experience as a law clerk, trial and appellate justice provides him with a unique perspective into how ADR methods can be used to resolve matters fairly and efficiently. Judge McCarthy mediates both State and Federal Court cases and is a Court approved mediator in both State and Federal (USDC NDNY) Court. Judge McCarthy is patient with parties and Attorneys laud him for his ability to quickly grasp complex legal matters.

Judge McCarthy is a graduate of the State University of New York at Potsdam, magna cum laude, and Albany Law School. He has been an active member in many professional and charitable associations and affiliations, including the Albany County Bar Association, the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, the Albany VA Hospital, Disabled American Veterans, Equinox and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Judge McCarthy is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.

• State University of New York at Potsdam, magna cum laude
• Albany Law School

• Albany County Bar Association
• Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany
• The Albany VA Hospital
• Disabled American Veterans
• Equinox
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Hourly Rate

$550.00 an hour for review of materials and mediation time. 

$600 an hour for review of materials, arbitration hearing time and drafting Award. 

Total amount due will be divided evenly among the parties unless there is an agreement to do otherwise.  

Cancellation Policy

In the event there is a cancellation with less than 72 hours notice, the parties shall be responsible for one hour of mediation time each to compensate the mediator for his preperation time.