Noah Hanft

Noah J. Hanft

Arbitrator • Mediator • Former Mastercard General Counsel • Former CPR President & CEO

Commercial • Financial Services • Employment • Intellectual Property • Corporate • International Disputes

New York City | Domestic & International Dispute Resolution
________________________________________

Professional Overview

Noah J. Hanft is an independent arbitrator, mediator, and dispute resolution consultant recognized globally for resolving complex disputes efficiently and effectively. With a distinguished career as General Counsel of Mastercard, litigator, transactional attorney, and former President and CEO of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR), he brings a unique combination of legal, business, and executive leadership experience to dispute resolution.

His background includes oversight of global legal and regulatory matters, negotiation of high-stakes commercial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and resolution of complex disputes across multiple industries. Mr. Hanft is known for a pragmatic, business-oriented approach that prioritizes efficient and well-reasoned outcomes.

Mr. Hanft played a leadership role in transforming Mastercard into a publicly traded company, including managing complex global negotiations related to its IPO.
________________________________________

International & Cross-Border Disputes

Mr. Hanft's career has involved global business operations, multinational legal and regulatory matters, international transactions, and cross-border dispute resolution.

He has served as an arbitrator in both domestic and international arbitrations, including service as a panelist and chair. His institutional experience includes matters administered through AAA, ICDR, CPR, FINRA, and federal court programs.
His international ADR credentials include service on the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) arbitration panel.

This combination of global corporate and ADR experience is particularly relevant to disputes involving multiple jurisdictions, multinational business relationships, international transactions, and differing commercial interests.
________________________________________

Additional Dispute Resolution Experience

Mr. Hanft's broader mediation and arbitration experience includes matters involving:
• Real estate
• Construction
• Bankruptcy and creditor matters
• Insurance
• Consumer credit
• Securities
• Defamation
• Civil rights
• Antitrust
• Investment disputes
• Regulatory and compliance matters
• Legal malpractice
• Consumer matters

His recent professional biographies also identify experience with disputes arising from privacy, data usage and protection, ethics, whistleblower matters, acquisitions, transactions, and joint ventures.
________________________________________

Mediation & Arbitration Approach

Mr. Hanft approaches dispute resolution with the perspective of someone who has served as a litigator, transactional attorney, advocate, General Counsel, corporate executive, mediator, arbitrator, and leader of an internationally recognized ADR institution.

His approach emphasizes:
• Strategic problem-solving
• Efficient case management
• Careful evaluation of litigation and business risk
• Focused preparation
• Candid communication
• Practical business solutions
• Early assessment of settlement opportunities
• Efficient resolution of complex disputes

In mediation, Mr. Hanft works with parties and counsel to identify the legal, financial, business, organizational, and relationship considerations that may be preventing resolution.

In arbitration, he emphasizes fair, thoughtful, and efficient case management appropriate to the complexity and value of the dispute.
________________________________________