Professor Abramson Recognized

Professor Hal Abramson Named a Global Thought Leader, Makes an Impact Globally and Locally, Including in the Classroom

Professor Hal Abramson was named a Global Elite Thought Leader in commercial mediation by Who’s Who Legal for 2025. The list contains only 50 people from around the world, with only 13 from the United States.

“I am indeed honored to be included on this prestigious list,” stated Professor Abramson. “I feel fortunate to have been able to contribute to the peacemaking field as a teacher, author, and practitioner and to be engaged in a career that has felt so meaningful and fulfilling.”

Professor Abramson has been deeply involved in the development and practice of domestic and international dispute resolution for more than thirty years. He has contributed as a teacher, trainer, author, and participant on professional committees and has served actively as a mediator and facilitator. He also has taught or trained on dispute resolution in twenty-two countries on six continents. He is an award-winning author with three of his publications receiving the best article or book award for the year from the CPR International Institute for Conflict Resolution. In 2020, he was the sole recipient of Touro University’s Presidential Award for Scholarship.

Abramson chaired the committee that drafted the rules for the ABA Mediation Representation Competition, served on the inaugural committee that launched the ICC Mediation Competition in Paris, and chaired the IMI (International Mediation Institute) Task Force that drafted the first ever standards for certifying cross-cultural mediators. He served as the first Scholar-in-Residence for the International Academy of Mediators. He also was involved with drafting the United Nations Singapore Mediation Convention including serving as an expert advisor to UNCITRAL to educate UN delegates on the mediation process and co-chairing the first symposium on the new treaty that featured its primary drafters.

Throughout his tenure at Touro Law, he has served as vice dean for nine years including as acting dean twice and has taught a wide range of dispute resolution and business courses including currently first year contracts and negotiations.

“I have really enjoyed teaching dedicated students at Touro and especially helping them develop into thoughtful and effective practitioners," stated Professor Abramson. "There is nothing more rewarding than seeing our graduates making meaningful contributions to the legal profession and broader community."

Numerous students have learned from Professor Abramson’s experiences and insights whether taking a course from him on negotiations, mediation, or international conflict resolution or even when taking first year contracts.

Nancy Gallagher, class of 2023 and Assistant Attorney, Appeals Department, NYS Insurance Fund, was not surprised to hear that Professor Abramson was selected as a global thought leader. “As a student in his negotiations class, I learned skills from a master that have been essential in my own career, and as his research assistant, I had a front-row seat to see how these skills shaped historic change—like the repeal of the ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ policy in the United States military. This award is a well-deserved recognition of a leader who teaches with purpose, applies with integrity, and changes the world through both."

Charles Dabda, class of 2026, when reflecting on his experience taking Professor Abramson's negotiation course, expressed how “fortunate I was to learn these invaluable skills from a globally acclaimed professor."