Skip to main content
Download VCard
VCard
Feldman Jordana 900x1080 Web
CONTACT CASE MANAGER

Jordana "Jordy" H. Feldman , Esq.

Availability:
    Biography
    General Biography
    Practice Areas & Industries
    Class Action & Mass Tort
    Personal Injury & Tort
    Product Liability
    Employment
    Business & Commercial
    Insurance
    Estate/Probate/Trust
    Health Care
    Governmental/Public Agency
    Bankruptcy
    Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
    Background and Education

    Jordana “Jordy” H. Feldman is a nationally recognized authority in the design, implementation and administration of high-profile victim compensation programs and a seasoned ADR practitioner.

    Ms. Feldman served as the independent neutral administrator of the Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, a voluntary, confidential, non-adversarial program established to compensate the victims of sexual abuse by the late financier, Jeffrey Epstein. She designed the criteria for determining eligibility and compensation, maintained exclusive and final decision-making authority over the evaluation of claims, held confidential hearings with individual claimants and distributed nearly $125 million to eligible individuals over the course of approximately one year.

    Ms. Feldman previously served as deputy special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), the federal litigation-alternative program administered by the United States Department of Justice’s Civil Division. The VCF was created in 2001 to compensate the thousands of victims who died or suffered physical injuries as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks and was reopened in 2011 to address the claims of tens of thousands of individuals who developed September 11–related illnesses in the aftermath of the attacks. The VCF has awarded over $20 billion since its inception. Ms. Feldman worked on the VCF through each of its various iterations, playing a key leadership role in developing program policies, presiding over hearings with victims and their families, determining eligibility and compensation for thousands of claims, and interfacing with numerous federal, state and local government agencies, private entities and other stakeholders.

    In addition to her extensive work resolving claims on a mass scale, Ms. Feldman has also served as a mediator in a wide range of single-party disputes, including personal injury, sexual abuse, product liability, employment and consumer cases. She has been praised for her judicious, empathetic and pragmatic approach in matters large and small and her commitment toward providing parties with meaningful opportunities to participate and to be heard. Her ability to comprehend quickly the highly sophisticated elements of a dispute, along with her reputation for integrity and compassion, enable her to guide deeply entrenched parties toward the practical, efficient, cost-effective and just resolution of disputes.

    Prior to joining the Justice Department, Ms. Feldman served as counsel in the Complex Alternative Dispute Resolution group of the Dickstein Shapiro law firm. At Dickstein Shapiro, she advised clients in the design, implementation and administration of complex settlements and mass claims resolution programs arising out of, among others, class actions, federal legislative enactments and Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganizations. She handled matters involving complex business, commercial and insurance coverage, bankruptcy, class action, mass tort, personal injury and product liability disputes. Prior to her tenure with the VCF, she was a litigation associate with Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, an international law firm headquartered in New York City.

    ADR Experience and Qualifications

    • As a special master and independent neutral administrator, Ms. Feldman has extensive experience in litigation-alternative programs to resolve claims and compensate victims of mass tragedies.
    • Ms. Feldman is an adjunct professor of law at the New York University School of Law and a lecturer in law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law. She has developed and taught innovative, first-of-their-kind courses on the creation and use of claims resolution programs arising from varied catastrophic events—terrorist attacks, sexual abuse, environmental disasters, shootings and other traumatic events—to resolve economic and non-economic losses by affected individuals.
    • She is the co-author of the Master Guide to Mass Claims Resolution Facilities (2011), a highly regarded primer that provides legal and lay guidance in navigating the design and implementation of mass claims programs.
    • Ms. Feldman is also a sought-after speaker who has made numerous speaking appearances and presentations before various media, nonprofit organizations, bar associations, and legal and undergraduate educational institutions.

    Representative Matters

    • Class Action & Mass Tort
        • As an independent neutral, has developed dispute resolution processes and/or evaluated and determined claims relating to sexual abuse allegations against high-profile individuals, religious/faith-based organizations and affiliated entities
        • As an independent neutral, evaluated and determined personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from terrorist attacks and toxic exposures
        • As a litigator, handled personal injury and wrongful death claims related to asbestos exposure
        • As a litigator, handled personal injury claims related to breast implants
    • Personal Injury & Tort
        • As an independent neutral claims administrator, has significant experience handling various personal injury issues, including those involving catastrophic physical injury, long-term physical illness, wrongful death, psychological trauma, emotional distress, sexual assault and sexual abuse, as well as the evaluation, valuation, allocation and distribution of economic and non-economic losses arising from such injuries
        • Mediated disputes between patients and large hospital involving high-profile allegations of sexual assault by physician
        • Mediated action for serious personal injuries allegedly caused by motor vehicle accident
        • Mediated action for serious and disabling personal injuries in tractor-trailer accident where sudden emergency doctrine was asserted
        • Possesses considerable experience resolving sensitive sexual assault/abuse matters relating to the New York Child Victims Act, the New Jersey Child Victims Act, and the New York Adult Survivors Act
    • Product Liability
        • Mediated matter involving claimant’s allegations that drug manufacturer’s failure to warn of product’s adverse events and risks resulted in a life-threatening cardiovascular event
        • Mediated action involving catastrophic injury allegedly caused by defective kitchen appliance
        • As a litigator, worked on matters involving underlying product liability claims related to asbestos exposure and breast implants
    • Employment
        • Mediated matter in federal court involving former nursing employee’s allegations against rehabilitation center of race and pregnancy discrimination and whistleblower retaliation in violation of the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)
        • Mediated matter involving former household worker’s allegations of discrimination based on sexual orientation, hostile work environment, and unlawful compensation in violation of the New York State and New York City Human Rights Laws (NYSHRL and NYCHRL), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the New York Labor Law (NYLL)
        • Mediated matter involving employee allegations of race and disability discrimination, aiding and abetting race and disability discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination against multinational company in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the NYSHRL, NYCHRL and NYLL
        • Co-mediated claims of sex/gender discrimination, quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile work environment in violation of Title VII and the NYSHRL and NYCHRL against an American multinational law firm
    • Business & Commercial
        • Mediated matters arising from financial institution’s alleged creation of unauthorized accounts and performances of services without customers’ consent
        • As a litigator, conducted corporate internal investigations and handled complex commercial contract disputes in the medical, pharmaceutical, transportation, financial services and art industries involving breach of contract, unjust enrichment and fraud
    • Insurance
        • Mediated subrogation action brought against a manufacturer of an allegedly defective product that caused catastrophic losses in a household fire
        • As a litigator, handled complex, multiparty, multilayered insurance coverage disputes arising from asbestos-related bodily injury claims, including issues of number of occurrences, trigger of coverage, allocation, indemnity and contribution
    • Estate/Probate/Trust
        • As an independent neutral, resolved disputes in connection with decedents’ estates arising from the appointment of personal representatives, limitations on the authority of personal representatives to prosecute or compromise a claim or collect and distribute funds, and the protection of payments to minors
    • Health Care
        • As an independent neutral, handled matters involving the resolution and payment of Medicare and Medicaid liens and reimbursements in connection with personal injury settlements
    • Governmental/Public Agency
        • As an independent neutral, has had extensive experience with various governmental agencies at the federal, state and local levels, including the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (Public Safety Officers’ Benefit office), the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division (Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Unit), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Treasury Department, New York City agencies and pension funds (including the New York City Police Department and Fire Department of New York), and other components and entities
    • Bankruptcy
        • As a litigator, handled the bankruptcy aspects of mass tort cases involving asbestos exposure and breast implants; underlying cases included product liability claims

    Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

    Memberships, Affiliations and Honors

    • Mediation Panel, United States District Court, Eastern District of New York (EDNY), 2025
    • Member, New York City Bar Association
      • ADR Committee Member, 2022–2025
      • Co-chair, Academia Committee, 2024–2025
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Member, 2022–2023
    • Member, New York State Bar Association, 2025
    • Member, American Bar Association
      • Member, Dispute Resolution Section, 2022-2025
      • Legal Education in Dispute Resolution (LEDR) Committee, 2023–2025
    • Member, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), 2007–2015
      • Commission on Facilities for the Resolution of Mass Claims, 2009–2012
    • Appointee, Committee on Character and Fitness, Appellate Division, First Department, Supreme Court of the State of New York, 2024-2025
    • Member, Consultation Committee, Claims Conference – Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany
      • For forthcoming Holocaust, Antisemitism and Law Learning (HALL) Center, 2025
    • Upper Dublin High School Alumni Hall of Fame – Business & Law, 2025
    • Lecturer in Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, 2024-2025
    • Adjunct Professor of Law, New York University School of Law, 2023-2025
    • Mentor, New York City Bar Association, New Lawyers Institute, 2023-2024

    Selected Presentations and Speaking Engagements

    • Moderator, “How Understanding Neuroscience Can Make More Effective Mediators,” New York City Bar Association, ADR Committee, 2025
    • Guest Speaker, “How Mass Claims Settlements Can Help Restore a Sense of Agency and Dignity in Victims,” Will Work For Food, 2025
    • Panelist, “Dispute Systems Design: How to Create Effective Strategies in Victim Compensation Funds,” New York University School of Law Brazilian Law Society, 2024
    • Moderator, “Insights from Professors on How to Get Hired and What to Expect,” New York City Bar Association, 2024
    • Panelist, “Designing Innovative ADR Courses for a Dynamic Legal Market,” American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section, 2024 Dispute Resolution Spring Conference
    • Guest Speaker, “Road to Academia,” New York City Bar Association, ADR Committee, 2024
    • Moderator and Guest Speaker, “Conversation with Kenneth R. Feinberg,” New York City Bar Association, ADR Committee, 2023
    • Speaker, “Offering Victims Validation, Compensation and a Sense of Empowerment,” Women of Vision: Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, 2022
    • Member, Mock Interview Program, American Bar Association, 2022–2024
    • Moderator, “September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and Its Role in the Federal Response to 9/11,” 9/11 Health Watch, 20th Anniversary Conference, 2021
    • Guest Lecturer, Legal Studies, University of Pennsylvania, 2020
    • Guest Lecturer, Cause Lawyering, Tulane Law School, 2018, 2019, 2020
    • Speaker/Panelist, Town Halls – September 11th VCF, with various members of Congress, including Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Max Rose (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) (2017–2019), and with federal, state and local government/law enforcement organizations and personnel (FBI, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), New York State Troopers, FDNY, NYPD), and union and survivor/non-responder groups, 2002–2004, 2011–2019
    • Speaker, 16th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum, 2017, and 18th Annual Day of Remembrance Information Forum, 2019, Voices Center for Resilience programs commemorating September 11 anniversaries
    • Speaker and Trainer, Pro Bono Clinics and Training, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, New York City Bar Association, City Bar Justice Center, 2011–2015 and 2018, and Pro Bono Law Student Clinics and Trainings, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund – Columbia Law School, Cardozo Law School, New York Law School, Hofstra Law School, 2012–2014 and 2017–2018

    Selected Publications

    • “Resolving Complex Claims With Empathy and Efficiency,” JAMS ADR Insights, 2025
    • Master Guide to Mass Claims Resolution Facilities, by Deborah E. Greenspan and Jordana H. Feldman, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), 2011
    • Program Protocol, Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, 2020
    • Final Report of the Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, United States Department of Justice, by Kenneth R. Feinberg, Camille S. Biros, Jordana Harris Feldman, et al., 2004
    • Final Rule, James Zadroga 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Reauthorization Act (United States Department of Justice), 81 Fed. Reg. 60617, Sept. 2, 2016
    • Interim Final Rule, James Zadroga 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Reauthorization Act (United States Department of Justice), 81 Fed. Reg. 38936, June 15, 2016
    • VCF Policies and Procedures, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (United States Department of Justice), Co-Author, 2016–2019

    Selected Media Coverage

    • “Boy Scouts’ Victims to Plead for a Redo on Box-Check Mistake,” Law 360, Nov. 17, 2023
    • “Inside the Messy Effort to Compensate 225 Jeffrey Epstein Accusers,” Business Insider, Jan. 6, 2022
    • “Fund for Jeffrey Epstein’s Victims Has Paid Out More Than $121 Million,” The New York Times, Aug. 9, 2021
    • “Jeffrey Epstein’s Victims Program Shutting Down With $121 Million Paid to Abuse Survivors,” ABC News, Aug. 9, 2021
    • “$125 Million Later, the Jeffrey Epstein Victim’s Fund Finishes Paying Claims,” The Miami Herald, Aug. 9, 2021
    • “Jeffrey Epstein Victims Fund Awards Almost $125 Million to About 150 People,” CNBC, Aug. 9, 2021
    • “$121M Compensation for Jeffrey Epstein Accusers Who Relived Abuse,” The Times, Aug. 10, 2021
    • “Accusers of Late Financier Jeffrey Epstein Can Now Seek Compensation from Fund,” Reuters, Jun. 25, 2020
    • “Epstein Victims Get Chance to Claim Share of $600 Million Estate,” Bloomberg/Quint, Jun. 26, 2020

    Background and Education

    • Founder, Davarker Advisors, LLC, Claims Resolution Experts, 2019–2025
    • Independent Neutral Designer and Administrator, Epstein Victims’ Compensation Program, 2019–2023
    • Deputy Special Master, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (as reauthorized), United States Department of Justice, 2017–2019
      • Director of the New York Office, 2016–2019
      • Director of Quality Management, 2015–2016
      • Special Master’s Office, 2010–2015
    • Deputy Special Master, September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, United States Department of Justice, 2002–2004
    • Counsel, Complex Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice, Dickstein Shapiro LLP, 2009–2015; Associate, 2005–2009
    • Litigation Associate; Fried, Frank, Shriver & Jacobson; 2000–2002
    • Summer Associate; Beasley, Casey & Erbstein; 1998
    • Certificate, Program on Negotiation: Mediating Disputes, Harvard Law School, 2022
    • J.D., University of Pennsylvania Law School, 2000
      • Moot Court Board
      • Inns of Court
      • Teaching Assistant, Appellate Advocacy
    • B.A., magna cum laude, University of Pennsylvania, 1997
      • Research Assistant for Dean Kathleen Hall Jamieson, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 1995–1997

    Bar Admissions 

    • State of New York
    • State of New Jersey
    • United States District Court, Eastern District of New York (EDNY)
    • United States District Court, Southern District of New York (SDNY)
    • United States District Court, District of New Jersey (DNJ)
    Counsel Comments
    • "I had the privilege of working with Jordana in her role as the Deputy Special Master. She is an invaluable presence in any room, bringing intelligence, practicality, and unwavering trustworthiness to every situation. Her confidence and energy are palpable as soon as she enters, making her an exceptional asset in any arbitration or mediation."
    • "Jordana’s professional approach and ability to facilitate productive discussions are invaluable. Her balanced approach and commitment to fair resolutions make her a trusted resource in resolving complex matters."
    • "Jordana brings a unique combination of expertise and fairness, ensuring each matter is handled with the utmost care. All involved highly value her ability to mediate complex situations with clarity and balance."
    • "I have worked with Jo[rdy] for over 20 years. She was the Deputy Special Master of the first 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and she reprised her role in the second VCF. I also worked with her when she was the Special Master of the Jeffrey Epstein Fund. I have always found her to be fair in her pursuit of justice. She has an outstanding legal mind and the perfect temperament to be a mediator."
    • "I have worked with Jordy in two distinct roles. First I have seen her administer a complex dispute resolution mechanism utilizing both staff and volunteers. She was always well organized, open to new innovations and supportive of all involved. I have also served with her as a neutral in a number of cases. In each of these matters, Jordy was objective and even handed, effective in eliciting information and thoughtful in her decision making. In both roles, Jordy was the ultimate professional and a pleasure to work with."
    • "I have had the pleasure of working with Jordy Feldman for over twenty years, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. Jordy brings common sense and fairness to matters she is involved in, listens carefully, and arrives at practical and workable solutions. What I have valued most over the years is knowing that she cares equally about the process and the people involved in the process, so that all voices are heard and the results balance the considerations on both sides."
    • "I worked closely with Jordana Feldman for several years when she served as Deputy Special Master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and I was a Hearing Officer. Jordy is a superb manager, a patient mentor, above all, a problem-solver of the highest order. Her common sense, legal skill and wealth of ADR experience place her squarely in the first rank of mediators."
    • "As Deputy Special Master of the 911 VCF, Jordy was skilled, sensitive and most congenial in administering the voluminous and complex claimants’ hearing program for the Fund."
    • Referring to the acceleration of payments to 9/11 victims: “This is a testament to the valiant efforts of Special Master Bhattacharyya, Deputy Special Master Jordy Feldman, and the entire 9/11 VCF staff in expediently providing justice to 9/11 victims. The 9/11 VCF staff has made clear that their intent is to avoid delaying justice at all costs.”
    • “Jordy brings not only a wealth of experience from her long-time work with the 9/11 community, but also a profound sense of empathy for victims and a deep commitment to ensuring fairness in process and outcome.”
    • “[Jordy] has left an indelible mark on nearly every aspect of the [VCF] program, and has positively impacted thousands of lives with her judicious, empathetic, and exceptionally fair-minded style. I know that the attorneys and claimants who interacted with her … will miss her compassion, expertise, and commitment.”
    • “As a result of compassionate efforts to right Epstein’s horrific wrongs, their pain is finally being turned into purpose…The hard work conducted by Administrator Feldman is helping to minimize the suffering of these women and ensure that justice is accessible for all.”
    • "It was the safest space that I've ever been a part of where the client could share all intimate details, knowing that it was not being recorded, it was going to remain confidential, and somebody was going to listen."
    • “[T]he process was very sensitive to survivors….they were treated with respect.”
    Locations

    Home Office

    HOME OFFICE

    Available to Travel

    AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL

    News & Insights
      News
      Insights
      Events

      EVENTS

      Upcoming Events

      Past Events

      Disclaimer:

      This page is for general information purposes. JAMS makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness. Interested persons should conduct their own research regarding information on this website before deciding to use JAMS, including investigation and research of JAMS neutrals. See More

      Search our global directory of mediators, arbitrators and ADR professionals.

      FIND A NEUTRAL

      Disclaimer

      This website is not a solicitation for business. All content on the JAMS website is intended to provide general information about JAMS and an opportunity for interested persons to contact JAMS. The content of this website is not offered as legal advice or legal opinion and it should not be relied upon for any specific situation.  JAMS neutrals are not engaged in the practice of law and no attorney client relationship is intended.  This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of JAMS services. While JAMS endeavors to keep the information updated and correct, JAMS makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in this website. 

      SEE MORE

      © 2025 JAMS. All rights reserved.

      Scroll to top