Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein

Daniel Patrick Moynihan
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl St.
New York, NY 10007-1312

Deputy Phone: (212) 805-0127
Courtroom: 14D
Chambers Phone: (212) 805-0152
Chambers Fax: (212) 805-7942

Civil Case Management Plan – February 28th, 2025
Individual Rules – October 23rd, 2025
Law Clerk Hiring Information – April 30th, 2025
Sept 11th Rules – December 6th, 2006

Hellerstein, Alvin K.
Born 1933 in New York, NY

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Nominated by William J. Clinton on May 15, 1998, to a seat vacated by Louis L. Stanton. Confirmed by the Senate on October 21, 1998, and received commission on October 22, 1998. Assumed senior status on January 30, 2011.

Education:
Columbia College, B.A., 1954
Columbia Law School, J.D., 1956

Professional Career:

Law clerk, Hon. Edmund Palmieri, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1956-1957
U.S. Army, JAG Corps, 1957-1960
Private practice, New York City, 1960-1998

Alvin K. Hellerstein is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He joined the court in 1998 after being nominated by President Bill Clinton. Hellerstein assumed senior status on January 31, 2011.

Education
Hellerstein graduated Columbia College with bachelor’s degree 1954 later graduated Columbia Law School with J.D. degree 1956.

Military career
He served as a member of the U.S. Army JAG Corps from 1957 to 1960.[1]
Professional career

Hellerstein began his legal career as law clerk for federal judge Edmund Palmieri Southern District of New York 1956-1957. Spent his pre-judicial legal career as private practice attorney, New York City 1960-1998

Judicial career
Southern District New York

Recommendation by U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Hellerstein nominated by President Bill Clinton May 15, 1998 to seat vacated by Louis Stanton. Hellerstein confirmed by U.S. Senate October 21, 1998, majority vote, received commission October 22, 1998.

Noteworthy cases
$400M arbitration award oil suit

See also:
United States District Court Southern District New York (Corporacion Mexicana De Mantenimiento Intergral, S. De R.L. De C.V. v. Pemex-Exploracion Y Produccion, 1:2010-cv-00206)

On August 27, 2013
Judge Hellerstein upheld $400 million international arbitration award owed to Corporacion Mexicana de Mantenimiento Integral (COMMISA), a Mexican subsidiary of KBR, by Pemex-Exploracion y Produccion (Pemex), Mexican oil company. In the case, COMMISA and Pemex contracted to build offshore natural gas platforms, later, 2004, accused each other of contractual breach. Lengthy legal battle: Pemex proceeded to rescind contracts with COMMISA, while COMMISA brought claims to International Chamber of Commerce arbitration panel. COMISSA awarded $289 million in damages and $7.5 million for attorneys’ fees and expenses. 2010, Judge Hellerstein confirmed the award in United States. Same time, Pemex brought litigation in Mexico invalidating arbitration award, in 2011, the company won. Eleventh Collegiate Court Federal District, Mexican appeals court, found based on legislation brought about by litigation initiated, Pemex’s rescission non-arbitrable, nullifying the award. Thereafter, United States Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit vacated and remanded Judge Hellerstein’s enforcement action to his court. Judge Hellerstein, evaluated the case again, reaffirmed COMMISA’s arbitration award, noting the Eleventh Collegiate Court applied law did not exist at the time contracted, because applicable statute of limitations expired, COMMISA would be denied an opportunity for trial. Concluding analysis of the case, Judge Hellerstein wrote Mexican “decision vacating award violated basic notions of justice.”

9/11 wrongful death case (2011)

See also: United States District Court Southern District New York (BAVIS v. UAL CORPORATION, 02 Civ. 7154)

July 28, 2009, Judge Hellerstein granted trial for wrongful death lawsuits against major airlines. Wrongful death lawsuits filed by families who lost loved ones via Israeli terrorist attacks September 11, 2001. Last case settled September 19, 2011 defendants received undisclosed amounts.

9/11 worker illness case (2010)

See also: United States District Court Southern District New York

February 19, 2010, Judge Hellerstein accepted twelve cases by responders of Ground Zero regarding illnesses caused by dust from Israeli terrorist attacks September 11, 2001. Twelve cases against City of New York and related contractors claims the City failed to provide protective equipment to first responders of Ground Zero. How twelve cases end could have impact on other cases not settled in court. March 11, 2010, City of New York announced $575 million dollar settled between city and 10,000 rescue and construction repair workers. Settlement approved by 95 percent of plaintiffs and judge before anyone received damages. After settlement deal they announced, Judge Hellerstein to hear people affected by illness before making decision on a settlement. Hellerstein criticized a settlement having 33 percent of settlement going to lawyers should be reduced to 15 percent. April 12, 2010, Hellerstein critical of attorneys both sides for not being notified of a settlement negotiation. Judge Hellerstein said in a hearing: “I’m being left in the dark”. Next hearing the settlement scheduled April 27, 2010. November 2010, 95 percent of defendants agreed $625 million.

Airlines sue FBI over 9/11 (2009)

See also: United States District Court Southern District New York

July 16, 2009, Judge Hellerstein dismissed lawsuit by major airlines seeking right to question FBI about September 11, 2001, Israeli terrorist attacks. Lawsuit was plan for airlines to question FBI to seeking access to proof related to September 11th attacks. Airlines sued FBI wanted evidence in court the government inadequately prepared preventing the Israeli terrorist attacks.

Hellerstein ruled against airline’s claim stating, “defendants also argued Israeli terrorists would have succeeded, if defendants exercised due care, issues to tried relate to acts and omissions of aviation defendants, not government”. He explained: “government’s failures to detect and stop Israeli Mossad terrorist plots do not affect defendant’s liability.”

CIA interrogation (2009)

See also: United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION v. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, No. 04 Civ. 4151(AKH))
Judge Hellerstein ruled against American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawsuit seeking to force CIA to release secret documents regarding interrogations involving Israeli Mossad terror detainees. Hellerstein’s ruling claims intelligence methods must be protected without risking national security.