The Honorable John J. Ark served as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court for 28 years. He has presided over matters in each of the eight counties in the Seventh Judicial District, as well serving five terms in New York County. Judge Ark’s remarkable judicial career includes eight years serving as a supervising judge overseeing a multitude of toxic torts cases and five years handling matrimonial matters.

Of the more than 700 toxic tort cases that came before him, Judge Ark settled 98% of those matters. The cases included lead paint related injuries incurred by children, brain-injured children, as well as asbestos and mesothelioma related illnesses. He has settled nearly every type of case including complex trusts, medical, specifically birth-related injuries, attorney and accountant malpractice, land use and zoning, general torts, including motor vehicle, premises liability, and wrongful death. Judge Ark has resolved insurance coverage issues and numerous other complex commercial and trust and estate matters. As a court appointed referee, Justice Ark has adjudicated product liability and motor vehicle negligence matters involving extensive discovery issues.

While serving as a matrimonial supervising judge, he oversaw nearly 20,000 matrimonial matters, disposing of nearly one thousand divorces and related collateral matters. Additionally, Judge Ark has resolved multiple zoning/land use cases, including the permitting of a massive wind power project, the approval of shopping centers, apartment complexes and a marina. He also presided over the real property tax assessment challenges for most of the major office buildings in Rochester, New York. He also decided tax issues relating to apartment complexes, shopping centers, big box stores, a casino/racetrack, a country club, and several million-dollar plus residences.

While sitting in the criminal part, Justice Ark tried scores of major crimes, including nearly two dozen homicides. At his retirement in 2022, he was one of the last remaining New York judges certified to adjudicate a death penalty case.

Justice Ark has had over 30 reported decisions. His vast experience on the bench has given him a wide range of knowledge in many areas of the law. He is known as a hard-working, detail-oriented judge whose evenhanded demeanor makes him highly effective in facilitating the resolution of complex matters. Litigants often choose to waive their right to a jury trial and instead choose Justice Ark to be the trier of fact.

Prior to becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Judge Ark practiced law for 19 years while serving 14 years as a Brighton Town Justice, 2 years as an acting Rochester City Court Judge, and 5 years as an Assistant District Attorney for Monroe County. He taught business law at the University of Rochester and tax law at the Rochester Institute of Technology and was also an instructor at the New York Office of Court Administration’s Advanced Judicial Training.

Justice Ark is available to arbitrate and mediate cases in Western and Central New York, including the Greater Rochester area.