Hon. John G. Ingram (Ret.)

The Honorable John G. Ingram has had a long and remarkable legal career, both as a judge and a litigator practicing admiralty law. As one of the nation’s foremost authorities in maritime law, Judge Ingram has successfully litigated hundreds of cases representing container ship companies, cruise ship owners, terminal operators, passenger and harbor workers, seafarers, docking pilots, a major towing company and the Port of Albany. Additionally, he represented a foreign government in cargo cases. As a Commissioner of Pilots, Judge Ingram oversaw and conducted investigations concerning pilots involved in marine casualties. He also represented seafarers in United States Coast Guard investigations. Further, he served as an attorney for parties in charter and salvage arbitrations.

In 2003, Judge Ingram left private practice and began a distinguished 17-year judicial career when Governor George Pataki appointed him Judge of the New York State Court of Claims. Shortly thereafter, he was assigned to the Supreme Court, Bronx County Narcotics and Trial Part and then reassigned to the Supreme Court, Kings County, Trial Part, in the criminal division, where he served with distinction for nine years. During that time, Judge Ingram presided over more than 200 felony trials to verdict. In 2017, he was appointed Acting Surrogate Judge, Kings County, where he oversaw more than three hundred estate cases and settled multiple contested estate matters. Two years later, Justice Ingram was reassigned to the Supreme Court, Kings County. While serving on the Kings County bench, he was also assigned to Queens Supreme Court (Civil) to oversee a voter recount of the Democratic primary election for Queens District Attorney. He also sat as Acting Surrogate Judge of Richmond County overseeing estate matters. He remained Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, until his retirement in December 2019.

Justice Ingram has served as an arbitrator in the United State District Court for the Eastern District of New York and Civil Court of the City of New York. Additionally, he has served as a commercial arbitrator for many commercial cases throughout New York. An avid supporter of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Judge Ingram’s experience on the bench, combined with the time spent as a maritime litigator in private practice, gives him the ability to approach matters in an unbiased manner and guide parties and counsel to a fair and impartial resolution.

Captain Ingram’s interest and deep understanding of maritime law stems back to his undergraduate studies at the State University of New York Maritime College, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. After graduation, he joined the United States Naval Reserve and sailed on his license aboard U.S. flag freighters, containerships and passenger liners as a Third and Second Mate. In the 31 years with the U.S. Naval Reserve, Judge Ingram served on board two aircraft carriers, a landing platform helicopter ship (LPH), an oiler (tanker) and a destroyer escort. He served as commanding officer of five reserve units including Military Sealift Command Northern United Kingdom. He holds a third mate’s license for Continuity issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Additionally, Judge Ingram served as a Member of the Boards of Maritime College Foundation at Fort Schuyler, the Alumni Association of the New York State Maritime College, The Cathedral Club of Brooklyn and Vice President and board member of the Brooklyn Benevolent Society. He is a member of the Association of the U.S. Navy, the BAYFORTS, NYS Association of Fire Chiefs and The Marine Society of the City of New York. He is also an Honorary Usher at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.

Judge Ingram is a native New Yorker, born in Manhattan, raised in Queens, educated in Brooklyn and the Bronx. He is an active member of the New York State Fire Chiefs, a volunteer firefighter and member of the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department since 1958 and was appointed to the Advisory Board of the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, LTD. He is also an Honorary Battalion Chief in the Fire Department of New York.

Judge Ingram is available to arbitrate and mediate maritime cases nationwide and surrogate matters throughout New York State.