A Legacy of Leadership: Hon. Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix (Ret.) on Justice, Service and Breaking Barriers

Learn more about her legal journey, her commitment to public service and justice, and how she made history as the first Caribbean-born woman to lead the New York City Law Department 

Please provide a snapshot of your legal career prior to joining JAMS.

Prior to joining JAMS, I served as a supreme court and civil court judge in the Second Department for approximately 20 years. I also presided over cases in the criminal court. My judicial career includes a decade as an associate justice of the Appellate Division, culminating in my appointment to the New York State Constitutional Bench in 2020. I also had the honor of serving as the 81st corporation counsel for the City of New York before beginning my tenure at JAMS.

As a jurist, I presided over and resolved many cases through pretrial rulings, bench and jury trials, judgments and settlement conferences. In my role as corporation counsel, I oversaw the wide-ranging operations of the New York City Law Department. I created new divisions within that department for Ethics & Compliance and Risk Management, promoted the health and safety of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and secured housing for thousands of individuals during the migrant crisis. I negotiated a landmark agreement with the Legal Aid Society in Callahan v. Carey, which provided New York City with the flexibility to respond to migrants’ needs during this emergency. Under my guidance, the department promoted economic development within the city and recovered tens of millions of dollars in affirmative lawsuits.

My legal career began at District Council 37, the largest municipal union in the city, where I had the privilege of representing union workers across various areas of law.

How did you get interested in ADR?

My experience as a jurist presiding over settlement conferences underscored for me the many advantages that ADR offers to parties, especially when compared to protracted—and expensive—litigation battles.

My interest in ADR was further sparked by the exposure I gained through many of my colleagues, who were actively involved in this field, as well as from attending continuing legal education (CLE) courses. Through these experiences, I came to appreciate even more the profound impact ADR has on legal proceedings.

What are some of the highlights of your career to date, whether in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) or litigation?

I cannot overstate, in this regard, the significance of my decade-long experience as an associate justice on the Appellate Division bench. Since the court hears appeals from trial courts and has jurisdiction to hear certain original proceedings as provided by law, it should come as no surprise that it is the court where much of the law in New York state is made. I thoroughly enjoyed dissecting complex legal issues and contributing to the development of the law during my tenure as an associate justice.

Heading the city’s Law Department was another highlight of my career. As the city’s chief legal officer, I enjoyed working with individuals who were deeply committed to the needs of this great metropolis. It was rewarding to lead a team dedicated to serving the public and ensuring that our laws are upheld and administered in a just manner.

What practice areas are you passionate about and why?

As a jurist, I handled matters spanning a wide range of practice areas across many industries, including appellate, bankruptcy, complex business and commercial, employment and labor, family law, governmental/public agency, personal injury, professional liability and real estate, including foreclosure and landlord-tenant disputes.

That said, I am especially passionate about family law. I believe in doing all we can to support our youth, and I see family law as a vital avenue for legal professionals to contribute to this process. Through the development of family law, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people and their families and, hopefully, help guide them toward a better future.

Regardless of the practice area at hand, I am continually fascinated by the extent to which the interpretation of seemingly “simple” contract language often—and needlessly—embroils parties in protracted legal issues. This underscores the importance to the legal profession—and to clients—of drafting contract language with greater precision.

How would you describe your mediation and arbitration style?

My mediation style, in the most general of terms, is flexible. No two mediations are alike. Hence, I tailor my mediation style to fit the varying issues and needs of the parties extant in any mediation.

Being a good listener is, however, imperative, regardless of the type of mediation over which I am presiding. I strive to fully understand the situation at hand, to identify the core issues and to accord all involved with the respect due them. Of the utmost importance to me is that the parties feel that they are being heard and being treated with dignity. At the end of the day, respect, empathy and being a good listener are the hallmarks of my mediation style.

As an arbitrator, being—and appearing—neutral is integral. Many of the elements that contribute to being a good mediator—listening, being prepared and treating all with respect—are also important. Keeping the parties on track by ensuring that hearings proceed in an efficient and cost-effective manner is also very important to me.

What traits have contributed to your success as a mediator?

Being thoroughly prepared is one trait that is at the core of my success. This involves knowing the facts, understanding the governing law and working diligently to ensure that all parties see me as a neutral facilitator committed to achieving the best—and fairest—outcome for all involved.

What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

One of my proudest achievements is having the honor of being the first Caribbean-born person and woman of color to lead the city’s Law Department, a role that allowed me to pave the way for future generations. Serving on the second-highest bench in this state has also been an honor and a testament to my dedication to the fair administration of justice and the need for equality.

However, my greatest pride comes from being the mother of three remarkable young women. Watching them grow and succeed has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I am especially proud that one of my daughters has followed in my footsteps and that, as an attorney, she is continuing my family’s commitment to serving the needs of all involved in the legal profession.

Did you have a mentor? If so, what was the most memorable advice given to you?

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have many individuals who have played crucial roles in my development. For a long time, I struggled to find the right title to ascribe to them, but I have come to realize that they were all mentors in their own unique ways. Each of these mentors has had a lasting impact on me, guiding and supporting me through various stages of my journey.

One of the most memorable pieces of advice I received from a mentor was during a time when I was uncertain about a decision I wanted to make. He said, "When God opens a door, walk right through." This simple yet profound statement has stayed with me, reminding me to embrace opportunities with confidence and faith.

What is your favorite pastime?

My favorite pastime is traveling. I have been fortunate to visit every continent except one, and each journey has been an incredible adventure. Traveling allows me to broaden my horizons, gain new perspectives and truly appreciate the richness of our world.