Experience:
With over 43 years experience as a trial attorney, arbitrator and mediator, Mr. Catania has earned the respect of both plaintiff and defense lawyers alike. His reputation as a common sense Arbitrator and Mediator, able to cut through the “noise” of litigation and identify key areas of dispute and proof, results in fair, deliberative and reasonable awards as an arbitrator and an ability to persuade parties forward, crafting their own fair and unique resolution of disputes when fulfilling the role of mediator. His trial practice is currently devoted to construction, commercial, corporate, partnership, professional malpractice (attorney, physician, accountant, engineer/architect) employment law (covenants not to compete; theft of corporate secrets, discrimination claims) and business litigation. He gained his extensive trial and evaluative experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in these and personal injury matters, ranging from motor vehicle to product liability and construction accidents.
Joe has been rated as among the Top 5% of Upstate New York Attorneys every year since 2007. Rated in 2015 in top 1% of Counsel in the nation. He commands an AV rating in Martindale-Hubbell, including its Judicial Edition.
These experiences, together with his work with the AAA Commercial and Construction Panels, have made Joe intimately familiar with the arbitration and mediation process, from the perspective of arbitrator, mediator and litigants' counsel.
Mr. Catania currently practices in New York State courts in Orange, Columbia, Green, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Westchester Counties and in the Northern and Southern Districts of the Federal Court System. He is available to mediate or arbitrate cases throughout New York State.
Alternate Dispute Resolution Experience:
Over 40 years representing clients in arbitration and mediation and over 30 years as an AAA neutral on construction and commercial panels.
Handled as a Mediator: Major construction disputes; homeowner contract and warranty construction claims; corporate and partnership dissolution and valuation of entities; business tort claims; consumer and personal injury claims.
Handled as an Arbitrator: Commercial, contract, partnership and shareholder disputes; large and small construction claims; environmental impact claims; employment contract disputes.
Practice Areas
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Administrative Proceedings
- Commercial Litigation
- Trusts and Estates Litigation
Certified Legal Specialties
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy since1986
Bar Admissions
New York State, 1978
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1978
U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 1978
U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1987
U.S. Supreme Court, 1987
Education
Albany Law School of Union University
Albany, New York
J.D. 1977
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
B.A. Economics 1972
Published Works
"Damages in New York: Opening and Closing Statements", National Business Institute
"Legal Malpractice and Labor Law Update: Recent Developments in Personal Injury Law", New York State Bar Association
"Legal Ethics and Malpractice in New York", Lorman Education Services
"Discovery Techniques", National Business Institute
"Author, Labor Law Update", NYS Bar Association - Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law Section
"Lecturer, Malpractice and Legal Ethics", Lohrman Inc
"Author, NYS Bar Association Legal Malpractice Seminar"
"Author, Legal Malpractice and Labor Law Update: Recent Developments in Personal Injury Law", New York State Bar Association
"Author, Damages in New York: Opening and Closing Statements", National Business Institute
Classes & Seminars
Lecturer, "Damages in New York: Opening and Closing Statements", National Business Institute
Lecturer, "Legal Malpractice and Labor Law Update: Recent Developments in Personal Injury Law", New York State Bar Association
Lecturer, "Avoiding Legal Malpractice", FLG&P CLE Program
Lecturer, "Legal Ethics and Malpractice in New York", Lorman Education Services
Lecturer, "Discovery Techniques", National Business Institute Seminar
Lecturer, Labor Law Update, NYS Bar Association - Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law Section Seminar
Lecturer, Malpractice and Legal Ethics, Lohrman, Inc.
Lecturer, NYS Bar Association Legal Malpractice
Lecturer, Legal Malpractice and Labor Law Update:Recent Developments in Personal Injury Law , New York State Bar Association
Lecturer, Avoiding Legal Malpractice, FLG&P CLE Program
Lecturer, Damages in New York: Opening and Closing Statements, National Business Institute
Honors and Awards
Martindale Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Attorney, 2013-2022
Martindale Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Attorney Judicial Edition, 2017-2021
The American Registry’s America’s Most Honored Lawyers, top 1%, 2020-2021
The Lawyers of Distinction’s Top Rated Lawyers in New York, 2020-2021
Hudson Valley Magazine’s Top Attorneys in Upstate New York, 2014-2021
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, 2014-2020
Qualified in 2015 for inclusion in the Worldwide Registry of Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs
Rated in 2015 as Nation's Top One Percent, by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Professional Associations and Memberships
American Arbitration Association, Construction and Commercial Neutral
Defense Research Institute
American Association for Justice
NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers, Charter Member
Orange County Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Association for Conflict Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution Training:
NYCLA Breaking the Impasse in Private and Court Mediations, 2022
NYSBA Missed Opportunities in Approaching Your Arbitration Case, 2022
ACE21 Impartiality: Do You Know Where Your Biases Are? 2021; ACE20 Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility, 2020; AAA ACE19 Case Finances: What Arbitrators Need to Know, 2019; Arbitrator Performance and Demeanor~ Meeting Participant Expectations, 2018; AAA Construction Conference: Navigating the Unique Aspects of Construction Arbitration, 2017; AAA When Experts Come From Different Planets: Tips for Maximizing the Value of Experts, 2017; AAA Consolidation and Joinder In Construction Arbitration: Ignorance Is Not Bliss, 2016; AAA Top Techniques for Improving Arbitration Case Management Efficiency, 2015; AAA Arbitrators Conducting Research: Good Idea or Bad; NYSSA 24 credit Commercial Mediation Training; AAA Five Ways to Reduce the Costs of Construction Arbitration 2014; AAA Webinar, Using Experts Effectively in Arbitration, 2013; Lorman, AIA Contracts, 2012; NYS Bar Association, Comprehensive Training for the Conducting of Commercial Arbitrations, 2011; AAA Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-Represented Parties ACE02, 2007; AAA Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics ACE05, 2006; AAA Dealing With Delay Tactics in Arbitration ACE04, 2005; AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure ACE03, 2004; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards ACE01, 2003; AAA Arbitrator Update 2001; AAA Construction Industry Arbitrator II Training, 2001; AAA Construction Industry Arbitration Training, 1998.