In 2003, Hellerstein agreed to hear a consolidated master case against three airlines, ICTS International NV, and Pinkerton's airport security firms, the World Trade Center owners, and Boeing Co., the aircraft manufacturer.
The case was brought by people injured in the 9-11 attacks, representatives of those who died, and entities that suffered property damage.
In September 2004, just before the three-year statute of limitations expired, the insurers for the World Trade Center filed suit against American Airlines, United Airlines, and Pinkerton's airport security firm, alleging their negligence allowed the planes to be hijacked.
According to Reuters, "[s]ix insurers sought repayment from the city for expenses arising from the collapse of a 47-story office building near the Twin Towers"; Hellerstein ruled New York had sovereign immunity.
On October 17, 2006, Hellerstein rejected New York City's motion to dismiss lawsuits that requested health payments to the first responders.
"[15] On December 20, 2004, Hellerstein said he would deny a government request to delay a review of whether certain Central Intelligence Agency internal files related to Iraq should be made public.
[17] In January and September 2017, Hellerstein ordered the release of additional government documents, including those referred to in the Senate torture report.
[24] In April 2022, Alvin Hellerstein sentenced David Hu of IIG Capital to 12 years in prison for fraud, stealing more than $100 million of client's money, running a Ponzi scheme, falsifying financial documents (cooking the book), lying to auditors, and other financial crimes.