Hon. Alan S. Trust (Ret.) Joins JAMS in New York

NEW YORK – JAMS, the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, is pleased to announce that Hon. Alan S. Trust (Ret.) has joined its panel as a mediator, arbitrator and neutral evaluator, bringing more than 40 years of legal experience. Judge Trust served for more than 18 years on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York, including as chief bankruptcy judge from 2020 until his retirement in 2026. During his tenure, he presided over more than 40,000 bankruptcy cases and 2,500 adversary proceedings, issued more than 110,000 orders and authored more than 120 published opinions.

Based in the New York Resolution Center, Judge Trust will serve as a mediator, arbitrator and neutral evaluator, handling bankruptcy, business and commercial, employment, insurance, professional liability, real estate and real property, intellectual property and related complex litigation matters. He is available to conduct sessions in person, as well as virtually, for clients across the country and internationally.

“Judge Trust brings a remarkable combination of judicial leadership, mediation experience and deep knowledge of complex business and bankruptcy matters. His decades of service on the federal bench, coupled with his extensive background as a practitioner and educator, make him a valuable resource for parties seeking effective dispute resolution. We are delighted to welcome him to JAMS.”

Kimberly Taylor, JAMS CEO and president

In addition to his judicial service, Judge Trust was certified as a mediator in Texas in 1989 and has mediated disputes throughout his legal career. He played a key role in establishing the Eastern District of New York Bankruptcy Court's Pro Bono Mediation Program and regularly served as a judge-mediator for fellow jurists. Prior to joining the bench, he spent more than two decades in private practice as a founding partner of two law firms, representing parties in bankruptcy, business, commercial and real estate disputes.

“I look forward to bringing my 40-plus years of extensive legal experience as a mediator, bankruptcy court judge, chief judge, private practitioner and problem solver to the resolution of complex bankruptcy, commercial and other disputes,” said Judge Trust.

Judge Trust's contributions to the legal profession have been widely recognized. In 2023, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. appointed him to a two-year term as the sole bankruptcy judge observer to the Judicial Conference of the United States. He was inducted as a Judicial Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy in 2025 and has received the Conrad B. Duberstein Memorial Award for Excellence and Compassion in the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Award from the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors. He also served as an adjunct professor at St. John's University School of Law for more than 15 years.

Judge Trust earned his J.D., cum laude, from New York University School of Law, where he was selected to serve on the Law Review. He received his B.A., summa cum laude, from Syracuse University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. 

About JAMS – The Way Forward

JAMS is the premier provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services worldwide, with more than 500 neutrals across 29 locations. In 2025, JAMS received nearly 22,000 new case filings and handled more than 28,000 matters during the year. Founded in 1979, the organization’s distinguished panel includes retired federal and state court judges, former litigators, transactional attorneys and other ADR professionals with deep industry and practice area experience. JAMS offers customized in-person, virtual and hybrid resolution services to provide a seamless experience through concierge-level client care, highly skilled case managers and advanced technology.

Building on this foundation, JAMS Pathways provides organizations with early conflict resolution, facilitation and training, helping teams prevent disputes before they escalate.

With a legacy of trust and innovation, JAMS helps parties find the way forward so they can focus on what matters most. Learn more at www.jamsadr.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and the JAMS ADR blog.