Stephen Bergstein

Stephen Bergstein

  • Civil Rights, Employment Law, Appeals & Appellate
  • New York
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Biography

Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated civil rights lawyer situated in Orange County, New York. Practice concentrated in employment discrimination (including sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination and wrongful discharge) as well as constitutional issues (including First Amendment, due process and whistleblower protection). Extensive experience litigating claims from administrative level to appellate practice. Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorney, 2015. Named Hudson Valley "Super Lawyer" in 2013-2015. Has litigated and argued numerous civil rights precedents in Second Circuit Court of Appeals and Southern and Northern Districts of New York, including Back v. Hastings School District, 2d Cir. 2004, which held for the first time that caregiver discrimination and stereotypes against working mothers constitute employment discrimination. In Pucino v. Verizon, 2d Cir. 2010, the Court held that a female line-worker was subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace. Also in 2010, he prevailed at trial in a student-on-student racial harassment case against a Dutchess County school district, obtaining a $1.25 million verdict. In 2011, he prevailed on appeal in Jackler v. Byrne, establishing that police officer has First Amendment right to refuse to lie to superiors about police misconduct. Also speaks on civil rights and human resources issues, including current developments in employment law. Regularly addresses the National Employment Lawyer's Association at its bi-annual continuing legal education conferences. Has published articles in the New York Law Journal, the New York Labor and Employment Journal and Z Magazine. Quoted in national publications on civil rights and employment-related issues, including the New York Times, Washington Post and legal publications. Elected to the board of the National Employment Lawyer's Association, New York Chapter, in 2008. Maintains the only blog that covers the civil rights decisions of the Second Circuit.

Practice Areas
    Civil Rights
    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law
    Employment Law
    Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
    Appeals & Appellate
    Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New York
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Education
Cuny Law School
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Awards
A-V reated attorney
Martindale-Hubbell
Hudson Valley Superlawyers
Superlawyers
Professional Associations
National Employment Lawyers Association
Current
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New York State Bar  # 2611473
Member
- Current
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Blog
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Contact & Map
5 Paradies Lane
New Paltz, NY 12561
Telephone: (845) 469-1277