Biography

Hon. Ariel E. Belen (Ret.) was an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department since 2008 and has served as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court trial and appellate terms since 1995. Justice Belen helped create the Kings County Commercial Division and then presided as a Justice handling complex commercial cases from 2002 to 2005. Over the course of nearly 18 years of distinguished judicial service, he developed a reputation as a calm, intelligent, fair, and hardworking jurist. He presided over countless matters covering the gamut of civil litigation from administrative to zoning law. A prolific writer, Justice Belen co-authored New York Trial Notebook, a comprehensive trial practice treatise. He was an instructor for many years at the New York State Judicial Institute where he taught all newly appointed or elected New York judges in the art of judging.

Justice Belen is fluent in Spanish. He can effectively communicate with Spanish speaking litigants and clients in all matters. Download Justice Belen's biography in Spanish.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

  • Justice Belen is the current Chair of the Arbitration and ADR Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association.
  • Justice Belen presided for several years over the Jury Coordinating and Trial Assignment parts in Kings County through which all trial ready cases were calendared for pretrial conferences before jury selection. In this capacity, he settled hundreds of trial-ready cases valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. While he presided in these parts, he created innovative programs for early and efficient mediation.
  • As Administrative Judge of Kings County Supreme Court, he innovated in the creation of new rules, procedures, and court parts with the primary goal of early dispute resolution.
  • As an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, he has adjudicated thousands of matters on appeal in what is, in effect, the court of last resort for nearly twelve million people living in ten urban, suburban, and ex-urban counties within the New York metropolitan area.
  • As Chief, New York City Office of Corporation Counsel, Bronx Tort Division, Justice Belen was responsible for settling hundreds of matters.

Background and Education
  • Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department, Supreme Court of the State of New York, 2008-2012
  • Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, 1995-2012
  • Administrative Judge, Civil Term, Supreme Court, Kings County, 2007-2008
    • Associate Justice, Appellate Term, Supreme Court, Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts, 2005-2012
    • Justice of the Commercial Division, Supreme Court of the State of New York, 2002-2005
  • Chief, Bronx Borough Office, City of New York Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, Tort Division, 1994-1995
  • Deputy Chief, Brooklyn Tort Division, City of New York Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, 1993-1994
  • Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of New York Law Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, 1990-1993
  • Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid Society of New York, Criminal Defense Division, 1986-1989
  • Criminal Trial Attorney, Legal Aid Society of New York, Criminal Defense Division, 1981-1986
  • J.D., with Specialization in International Legal Affairs, Cornell Law School, 1981
  • B.A., cum laude, Brooklyn College, 1978