BUFFALO, NY – Lippes Mathias Partner Judge Carol E. Heckman (Ret.) was invited to join the College of Commercial Arbitrators (CCA), one of the top professional organizations for commercial arbitrators in the United States and internationally. Judge Heckman will join an elite group of arbitrators who have the professional training, judgement and years of experience to undertake the most complex and difficult commercial arbitration assignments. 

Established in 2001, CCA celebrates and advocates excellence in the field of commercial arbitration. CCA is an organization that provides meaningful contribution to the profession, the public, the legal sector and to the businesses that implement commercial arbitration as a means of dispute resolution. Fellowship in CCA is by invitation of the Board and is not easily obtained. Judge Heckman is one of the very few CCA Fellows in New York State outside of New York City. 

“From the outside looking in, CCA stands for experience, high ethical standards and a strong reputation in the field,” said Judge Heckman. “I am humbled and honored to be asked to join. I look forward to working with and learning from colleagues at the top of the profession.” 

“I am always amazed by the valuable work of our Partners and associates, but Carol stands solely with this honor,” said Kevin Cross, managing partner, Lippes Mathias. “It is a significant career milestone to join the world’s leading arbitrators with this invitation to join the College. I congratulate her on a career pinnacle.”

With more than 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer and judge, Judge Heckman (Ret.) has an active practice as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and conducts arbitrations in most major metropolitan areas with a particular concentration in New York City,  In addition to arbitrations and mediations, Judge Heckman also engages in litigation counseling and trial work for an American Indian tribe, and a group of business clients providing representation in government investigations, complex commercial matters, taxation, and gaming.  She has tried numerous cases as a lawyer, a judge, and an arbitrator in a broad range of disputes.

Judge Heckman served as a Magistrate Judge in the Western District of New York for eight years where she was selected to sit on the Federal Judicial Conference’s Education Committee for Magistrate Judges and served as an Officer in the Federal Magistrate Judges Association.  She has also served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Buffalo, New York, and as a law clerk for Hon. John T. Curtin, former Chief Judge of the Western District of New York.

About Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP

Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 110 attorneys serving clients regionally, nationally and internationally. With offices in Buffalo, N.Y.; Albany, N.Y.; Burlington, Ontario; Chicago, Ill.; New York City; Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla; and Washington, D.C., the firm represents a wide range of clients, including individuals, publicly and privately-owned companies, private equity and venture capital firms, real estate developers, financial institutions, municipalities, and governmental entities.