James T. Meyer
Personal
Date of Birth: March 13, 1963
Married to Nicole Meyer, a life-long resident of Mahopac with 3 Children, Julia age 7, Jimmy age 4 and Sophia age 1
Life-long resident of the Town of Carmel.
Summary
My diverse legal background, my many years of service chairing arbitration panels in complex commercial cases and my many years of community service will serve the Town of Carmel well in the position of Justice in the Town of Carmel Justice Court.
Legal Experience
1993 to the Present. Partner in Meyer & Spencer LLP, a general practice firm with offices in Chappaqua, NY and Mahopac, NY. I have experience in the following practice areas:
Securities Industry Arbitrator As a member of the Board of Arbitrators of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. since 1994 and the Board of Arbitrators of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. since 2004 I have presided over numerous complex multi-party and multi-million dollar cases. As the chairman of arbitration panels, I conduct pre-hearing conferences, monitor the pre-hearing discovery process, decide motions, make procedural and evidentiary rulings and draft the final arbitration award.
Litigation As an attorney with 17 years experience, I litigated numerous commercial disputes in New York State Supreme Court, the Appellate Division, First Department, the United States District Court, Second Circuit and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. My experience includes extensive trial experience, both jury and non-jury. I also have extensive experience handling matrimonial cases, personal injury cases, family court cases as well as estate litigation in the Surrogates Courts.
Criminal Law As a member of the Westchester County 18-b panel from 1993 to 2003, I handled well over 1000 criminal cases ranging including Vehicle & Traffic matters, petit larceny matters, drug possession matters, assaults and fraud matters. While appearing in Court as a criminal defense attorney, I was able to observe tens of thousands of cases and was able to observe the best prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges in Westchester and Putnam Counties.
Corporate Law I have represented numerous small businesses including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. I have counseled small business on start-up matters, contractual issues, employment issues and litigation matters. Our corporate law practice has provided me with extensive experience in the negotiating and drafting of business contracts and the purchases and sales of existing businesses.
Estate Planning -- My experience in securities arbitrations and the financial planning industry has provided me with a unique perspective to assist our clients in their Estate Planning and Business Succession matters. Our Estate Planning practice involves everything from simple Wills and Revocable Trusts to the more complex tax savings techniques using credit shelter and life insurance trusts.
Elder Law I am a ten-year member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and I am dedicated to helping seniors protect their assets and maintain their quality of life and dignity as they age. In addition to asset protection and estate planning, I help seniors with issues pertaining to nursing home and assisted living admissions, financial management and geriatric care.
Real Estate I have extensive experience in all facets of residential and commercial real estate. My firm represents approximately 30 different lenders and we have an extensive network of real estate agents, mortgage brokers, home inspectors and title representatives with whom we work.
Legal Column -- I am the author of a weekly legal column in the Putnam County Press and have had more than 140 articles on various legal topics published.
Professional Affiliations
President of the Putnam County Bar Association
Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Putnam County
Court Examiner for the 9th Judicial District appointed to review the annual accountings of Court Appointed Guardians in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties
Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Member of the Westchester County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association Elder Law and Trusts and Estates Sections
Past President of the Scarsdale Chapter of Business Network International
Community Service
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Putnam Arts Council
Past President of the Greater Chappaqua Chamber of Commerce
Member of the Town of Carmel Environmental Conservation Board
Member of the Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce
Member of the Board of Directors of the Town of Carmel Historical Society
Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6318 (Carmel)
Member of the Lake Mahopac Rotary
Education
Brooklyn Law School Juris Doctor 1989
West Virginia University Bachelor of Science 1985
Carmel High School -- 1981