Role at BarkerGilmore
Noah Hanft is a Strategic Advisor and Coach at BarkerGilmore with deep roots in the global financial services and technology sectors. Recognized worldwide for his skills as an independent arbitrator, mediator, and advisor to companies on dispute resolution strategies, he has devoted his career to finding effective and efficient resolutions for conflict, including litigation. Noah is skilled at attracting and assessing talent, and creating organizational structures that meld with the company’s strategies.
His law department at Mastercard was recognized for its problem-solving capabilities, diversity, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively both internally and with all business functions.
Board Affiliations and Accolades
Noah is on numerous boards as well as a number of arbitration and mediation panels, including the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals, the American Arbitration Association, FedArb, the Second Circuit, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division, and the EEOC. He also arbitrates for the American Arbitration Association, Complex Commercial Disputes and Employment Panels, the CPR Arbitration Panel, FINRA, and the Eastern District Arbitration Panel. He was also selected to the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Additionally, he is a board member of the ACR-GNY and a former board member of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) and the Legal Aid Society (where he currently serves on their Board of Advisors), and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2012, the Association of Corporate Counsel named him “General Counsel of the Year” at the Global Counsel Awards. He has also received awards from the International Academy of Mediators and the New York State Bar Association for excellence in mediation and for mentoring, collaboration, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
Education
Noah earned his B.A. from American University, School of Government and Public Administration, his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, and his LL.M. from New York University School of Law in Trade Regulation.
Expertise
Executive Search, Leadership Development, Organizational Strategy, Succession Management, Dispute Prevention and Resolution
Experience
In 2019, Noah co-founded AcumenADR LLC where he serves as an independent arbitrator, mediator, and advisor to companies on settlement strategies and dispute resolution programs. Previously, he was President and CEO of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR). Under his leadership, CPR won accolades for innovation and development of best and next practices in dispute prevention and conflict resolution. Before CPR, Noah spent 30 years at Mastercard where he served as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Franchise Integrity Officer. In addition to overseeing law, regulatory affairs, public policy, and compliance, he managed the Law & Franchise Integrity consolidated business unit with 500+ global employees and was a member of the company’s Executive and Operating Committees. Noah left Mastercard from 1990 to 1993 to serve as Senior Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at AT&T Universal Card Services. He started his career as a trial attorney with the Criminal Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City.
Industry Experience
Financial, Non-Profit
Noah's Insights
In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, legal firms and departments are embracing hybrid and remote work models to accommodate changing work dynamics. Effectively managing and fostering motivation, engagement, and growth [...]
Legal leaders who aspire to the ultimate legal professional achievement, the General Counsel, spend their careers making tactical decisions to achieve this goal. While there are infinite paths to becoming [...]
A General Counsel used to be able to succeed simply by being an exceptional lawyer and manager of the legal department. Those days are gone. According to a BarkerGilmore [...]
