The Honorable Jose L. Linares chairs McCarter’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice. He served as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, having been nominated to the bench by President George W. Bush in 2002. Prior to joining the United States District Court, he served as a superior court judge in Essex County, New Jersey.

Judge Linares’s experience, acquired over forty years in judicial service and private practice, offers clients a unique perspective on litigation and a deep understanding of dispute resolution. Over the course of his career, he has developed the exceptional skills and ability to resolve complex disputes, relying on his extensive experience as both a judge and trial lawyer. Judge Linares is highly experienced in the life sciences and financial services industries, having handled more than 50 patent cases in the past six years—many involving high-stakes disputes between generic and branded drug companies. In addition, he has presided over numerous major bankruptcy appeals, class actions, multidistrict litigations and securities fraud cases.

An acknowledged thought leader, Judge Linares lectures nationally on litigation and patent cases. He is an adjunct professor at Seton Hall School of Law. He led the New Jersey District Court 2017 Sentencing Symposium and the 2018 New Jersey District Court National Opioid Symposium, and is a fellow of the American Bar Association. He has been honored with the New Jersey State Bar Distinguished Judicial Service Award and the James J. McLaughlin Professionalism Award presented by the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Breaking ground as the first Hispanic to serve as Chief of the United States District Court of New Jersey and the first Cuban-born District Court Chief in the United States, Judge Linares champions diversity and inclusion, and has helped change the face of the federal court. He has received the Hispanic Bar Association Trailblazer Award, the Trailblazer Award from the Rutgers School of Law–Newark Association of Latin American Law Students, the Essex County Bar Association Civil Trial Attorney Achievement Award, Seton Hall Law School Latino Students Role Model Award, and the National Hispanic Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

Judge Linares is actively involved in numerous civic and nonprofit activities. He volunteers in youth athletic programs and dedicates time to mentoring students who are interested in pursuing a career in law.