Hon. John V. Centra (Ret.) brings nearly 35 years of judicial experience, 16 years with the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, to the Lynn Law Firm and his burgeoning mediation and dispute resolution practice. He is highly esteemed in the legal community, with an impeccable reputation for resolving difficult litigation questions and driving reasonable compromises while maintaining collegiality.   

Judge Centra joined the firm in 2023, in an of-counsel capacity, on plaintiff’s personal injury and insurance coverage litigation.  He also has an exceptional resolution rate in mediating matters involving corporate and business litigation, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, negligence, motor vehicle accidents, insurance, personal injury, and employment matters including discrimination and harassment.   

His career began as an Assistant District Attorney before engaging in a decade of private practice as a highly regarded civil and criminal litigator.  In 1988, he began his judicial career as the Town of Dewitt judge, prior to becoming an Onondaga County Supreme Court Judge in 1999.  After presiding over every stage of civil litigation for seven years, Governor George Pataki designated him to serve as a Justice on the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, to which he was reelected in 2013.  On the Appellate Division, Justice Centra presided over 10,000 appeals and over 50,000 motions.  Judge Centra’s judicial career was exceptionally distinguished, including receiving the prestigious Ruger Award from the Onondaga County Bar Association, and being asked to sit on the Court of Appeals by the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals.