Columbia County Civil Rights Lawyers

David focuses his practice on federal and private sector employment litigation, as well as landlord / tenant law, civil litigation, and appeals.

David has a strong record of success representing his clients in court and before federal and state administrative agencies. He understands that no two cases are exactly alike, and he works with his clients to try and achieve the best possible result based on the unique facts of their case. David litigates aggressively on behalf of his clients, while always taking the client’s own tolerance for risk into account in determining the appropriate litigation strategy.

Brooke Dana Youngwirth represents both employees and private and public-sector employers before state and federal agencies, including the New York State Division of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Brooke also defends private and public employers against employment harassment and discrimination, labor violations, and various other federal and state claims.

In addition, Brooke frequently provides counsel to individuals, school districts, police departments, and other private employers on a range of topics such as wrongful termination, student disciplinary matters, employment discrimination, and the implementation of employment policies and handbooks. Brooke has held client training sessions and continuing legal education seminars...

Jack Tuckner is a Women’s Rights in the Workplace attorney and a founding partner of Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock & Sipser, perhaps the only law firm in the nation concentrating its practice on workplace gender rights. His practice is focused on helping working women combat sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and other discrimination and illegal treatment faced by women, including illegal pay disparity, gender discrimination, maternity leave matters, unlawful retaliation, and wrongful termination. Jack has long fought for women’s rights and against the unequal and wrongful treatment of women in the workplace. In doing so, Jack has gained a reputation for feminist activism...

Bill Sipser has been a leading practitioner in the area of Labor Law and Employment Law Discrimination for almost thirty years. His practice is focused on representing clients in age discrimination, race discrimination, disability discrimination, and other matters involving employee rights. Bill has extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts, and before several governmental agencies involving representation of individuals and labor unions. Bill has prosecuted significant cases, including appeals before the Appellate Division of the State of New York as well as the federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He argued a critical employment discrimination issue before the...

Provide closing and title services to national and local banks, mortgage companies, loan officers, brokers, and consumers. Write deeds, search titles, prepare and process closing documents, disburse settlement funds, and execute closings. Landlord-tenant law. Analyze legal liability of businesses and implement crucial policies necessary to safeguard against potential legal claims. Form domestic and foreign corporations and other business entities. Prepare various legal disclaimers and contracts essential to protect businesses including but not limited to employee handbooks, confidentiality agreements, and corporate resolutions. Represent parties at school meetings, mediation sessions, and due process hearings. Civil litigation. Select constitutional law and discrimination cases...

Allen Lim, Esq. is an attorney in the Litigation and Personal Injury Departments of Horn Wright, LLP. Allen grew up and attended school in Orange County, California. He attained a B.A. in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton, and his J.D. at Western State College of Law. An internship with the Orange County Public Defender started his desire to help those in need, and he carries that same drive to this day. Additionally, he utilizes his prior experience in customer service to ensure that each client is heard and that all of their questions are addressed. Allen is bilingual...

Since 1994, Robert Irving Miller has successfully represented businesses, health care professionals and individuals in litigation, at trials and in appeals. His primary focus is medical malpractice defense, health law and all matters related to the administration of health care facilities. Mr. Miller’s experience in both the fields of law and health care has made him an ideal advocate for hospitals, nursing homes, physicians and other health professionals. Mr. Miller is licensed to practice law in both New York and Connecticut as well as in federal courts in the Northern and Southern Districts of New York. Mr. Miller graduated from Pace...

Ariel E. Solomon, Esq., concentrates her practice in the areas of Federal Employment Law and Civil Litigation. She has significant experience asserting rights of employees in complex litigation matters, including but not limited to, providing aggressive representation for employees in adverse action cases before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), discrimination cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal retirement and whistleblower retaliation cases. She is internationally recognized for her work representing physician whistleblowers employed with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ariel frequently represents clients based in Asia, the European Union, and the Middle East. ...

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...

Kimberly G. Finnigan is a bilingual attorney who focuses her practice on immigration, employment and labor law, and civil rights litigation. Ms. Finnigan is a graduate of William and Mary Law School, where she was a Jessup International Moot Court Team member, served as President of the International Law Society, and co-founded the LL.M. Student Assistance Program. Ms. Finnigan received honors in Appellate Brief Writing and was acknowledged as a Mary Siegrist Hinz Leadership Fellow and recipient of the Gambrell Professionalism Award. Ms. Finnigan was awarded her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Education, magna cum laude, from Middlebury College...

At Tully Rinckey PLLC, Allen is a First Chair Associate with extensive experience in federal, state, and private employment law matters, including claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, qui tam and whistleblower actions, and disciplinary matters. He has represented clients before federal and state courts, as well as before administrative tribunals and agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Department of Veterans Affairs Disciplinary Appeals Board (DAB), New York State Department of Human Rights (DHR), New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), and matters before the U.S. Office of Special...

Leilani Rodriguez has a diverse legal background having practiced in both the private and public sectors in state and federal court. Her practice focuses primarily on medical malpractice, personal injury, civil rights, criminal defense and professional liability. She is well versed in both trial and appellate litigation. Prior to transitioning to the private sector, Ms. Rodriguez worked for the New York State Attorney General’s Office defending the State in various lawsuits, including general negligence, medical malpractice, municipal law and automobile accidents. She also worked in the Federal Habeas Corpus Unit and has briefed and argued numerous cases...

Matthew Weinick is a Long Island employment lawyer. Since the beginning of his career, Matt has been fighting for his clients’ workplace rights before Federal and State Court judges and administrative law judges. He has tried employment discrimination and retaliation cases before juries in Federal Court, represents clients at mediation and arbitration, and has argued appeals before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and the New York Appellate Divisions, First and Second Departments. Matt’s success has been recognized for five consecutive years by Super Lawyers Magazine which listed him as a Rising Star from 2012-2016, a recognition reserved for...

Peter is a passionate and dedicated advocate. Peter has represented clients in various forums, including the United States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, as well as in New York State Courts in the region. Throughout his career that has spanned more than a decade, Peter has served as defendants' and Plaintiffs' counsel in single and class action employment related litigation. Most recently, Peter won a jury trial on a First Amendment retaliation case in Federal Court. Additionally, Peter has appeared extensively in cases before arbitration tribunals and administrative agencies, including...

Mr Ruffo one of the Nation's Top 100 Trial Lawyers as ranked by the National Trial Lawyers as well as a Top 100 New York Super Lawyer. He is rated Pre-Eminent By Martindale Hubble and maintains a perfect 10/10 AVVO rating. He has 23 years experience obtaining multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims of negligence, specializing in Motor Vehicle, Slip, Trip & Fall , Workplace,Medical Malpractice and Nursing Home Negligence Litigation. Mr Ruffo helps victims in the NY and NJ metropolitan area. He is admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts of NY &...

Karen Edler is the founder of the Price, Meese, Shulman & D'Arminio, P.C. Education Law Group. She advocates for parents and students to obtain a free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), Section 504 & related laws. Ms. Edler's services include reviewing Individual Education Plans (“IEP”) & Section 504 Plans, attending meetings and filing due process petitions when necessary. Ms. Edler represents students with any educational issues including academic issues, school disciplinary cases, bullying cases and collegiate academic and disciplinary matters. Ms. Edler handles special needs planning, Special Needs Trusts, guardianship...

Shawn Barnett is a skilled litigator and trial attorney who is dedicated to helping those who have been victimized by law enforcement or correctional officers. He has received multiple million-dollar settlements for his clients and has been recognized as an Illinois Rising Star multiple times. During his time as an attorney, Shawn has represented numerous clients who have been injured by those who have abused their authority. He has vigorously pursued a wide variety of claims on behalf of his clients, including false arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, wrongful death, and sexual assault. Shawn has a particular focus on police involved...

Attorney Vince Sykes is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served on active duty, as an enlisted, and earned several distinguished medals to include Good Conduct Medal and Overseas Tour of Duty.

Following military service, Vince obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) from SUNY, Stony Brook, NY; a Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Pepperdine University, CA.; and a Juris Doctorate Degree (J.D.), Cum Laude, from Pace Law School, NY.

Vince’s career spans engineering positions in Silicon Valley where he worked for high-tech companies such as Cisco Systems, Bay Networks, Alcatel-Lucent, and various technology start-ups. Vince...

Steven M. Silverberg is a founder of the firm and Of Counsel to Silverberg Zalantis LLC. He has extensive experience in representing developers and municipalities in land use, zoning and environmental law matters including litigation and appeals in the New York State and Federal Courts. Starting his career as an assistant district attorney and then working as a town attorney, providing counsel in such diverse areas as contracts, construction, telecommunications and employment law, prepared him for the services he has provided to businesses, municipalities and individuals. In addition to his experience with the approval process for residential and commercial developments...

Licensed Attorney in New York, Federal District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and Federal Court District of Connecticut, and Vermont. L.L.M. Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence, New York University School of Law, 10-year (2013-2023) Super Lawyers Award Recipient. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Attorneys in New York State. When I decided to form Giordano Law Offices in 2000, I was excited about the prospect of being able to help as many people as I could in diverse practice areas. Giordano Law Offices is the culmination of many years of broad legal experience. ...

Mayo Bartlett is a Civil Rights and Criminal Defense. He is the Principal Attorney at the Law Offices of Mayo Bartlett, PLLC. From 2003 to 2013, he was a partner at the law firm of Young & Bartlett, LLP, a litigation law firm which focused on Criminal Defense, Civil Rights and Personal Injury matters.

He worked for the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for more than ten years, and served as a litigator in the Superior Court Trial Division prior to his appointment as the Chief of the Bias Crimes Unit. Mr. Bartlett has provided hate crime...

Land Use and Zoning, Environmental and Municipal Law Real Estate Litigation Commercial Litigation Civil Rights (Property Rights) Litigation

Alexandria Jean-Pierre is an esteemed employment lawyer based in New York City and a valued member of the Phillips & Associates law firm. With a strong focus on employment law litigation, she is deeply committed to advocating for the rights of employees. If you find yourself facing concerns regarding employment discrimination or any other legal issues within your workplace, reaching out to Ms. Jean-Pierre and her dedicated team at the law firm will help you determine the merits of your case. Having obtained a B.S. in business management with a minor in government from St. John's University, Ms. Jean-Pierre went on...

Licensed in New York and New Jersey, Kevin Abessi is a heavily credentialed attorney with a background that is tailored to handle the challenges of family and business. As a client-facing professional with deep academic and professional exposures to finance and investment, Kevin and Abessi Law are well-equipped to handle the sort of financial and business matters that are often at play with matters pertaining to divorce, spousal/child support, contract negotiation, estate planning, and so much more. Abessi Law understands that facilitating legal services is about more than just lawyering, which is why it endeavors to be just as well...

Attorney Dominic Chiariello graduated from Fordham University School of Law in 1990, when he was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar. He joined the firm in 1991 after being admitted to the New York State Bar. He frequently lectures for the Queens County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program and serves as Chair of the Civil Practice Committee, as well as Sub-Committee Chairman for Tort Legislation. He is a member of the Queens County Bar Judiciary Committee, Medical Malpractice Committee and Mentors Committee. He is past president of Queens County Columbian Lawyer’s Association, as well as past chairman...

Brian Seth Orlow is a New York personal injury lawyer at The Orlow Firm. Brian has been practicing personal injury law in the state of New York since 1997. Brian has handled a wide range of injury cases including construction accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, lead poisoning, nursing home abuse, bedsores, sexual abuse, police misconduct, premises liability including slip and falls and third party workers compensation.

I am a senior associate with the Bell Law Group, PLLC. I graduated cum laude from NYU School of Law in 2013 and am admitted to practice law in New York and California, as well as in the Court of Federal Claims. I represent federal and private sector employees and employers in wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment, and other employment disputes. I also counsel employers who want to avoid litigation on compliance with state and federal employment laws.

Prior to joining Bell Law Group in 2019, I completed a fellowship with a large labor union in New York City, clerked...

Bruce Barket is a founding partner at Barket, Marion, Epstein & Kearon LLP. He specializes in criminal defense cases representing individuals charged with serious offenses in federal and state courts. Mr. Barket has won numerous acquittals in high-profile cases involving such crimes as securities/mail fraud, murder and racketeering. Through grit, tenacity, and the use of his courtroom skills, he has put together an impressive string of both criminal and civil trial victories that span more than two decades. He is also known for obtaining uncanny results in the appellate and post-judgment process for clients previously convicted. Based upon his...

The Diederich Law Office focuses on helping victims of illegality and bias in employment and civil rights cases, particularly wrongful termination and job discrimination cases, and negotiating severance packages. Cases include wrongful discrimination based upon age, gender / sex, national origin, race, pregnancy or disability. I also served as a "citizen soldier" (US Army reservist), with tours of duty in the combat zones of Iraq (2004-05) and Afghanistan (2012), as an Army lawyer. I retired in the rank of lieutenant colonel. We handle cases from Long Island, through New York City and into the Hudson...

I spent over 20 years in the trenches as a trial attorney, but my passion is in the areas of special education and disability law. Wanting to help clients in a more sustainable way, I have transitioned into a new type of practice.

My goal is to empathize, collaborate, and advocate for clients to find them resolutions, in special education, discriminatory conflicts, and other areas. I am a trained mediator, and have extensive experience in negotiations. I offer services to anyone looking to mediate a dispute, or who may benefit from training in conflict resolution. I offer consulting services to school...

I have been a solo practitioner since 1999, after having worked for two historic maritime law firms in New York City. My practice now consists almost exclusively of federal litigation, including maritime and constitutional law. I am perhaps best known for my own pro se constitutional challenge to New York's ban on the in-home possession of the martial-arts weapon known as the nunchaku ("nunchucks"), a case that has been in litigation since 2003 (and continues as of November 2015, when this passage was last edited). Over the years, I have represented numerous individuals in state and federal...

Robert M. Schechter focuses much of his practice in the areas of gun rights, civil and criminal litigation, contract law, appeals, as well as helping startups. He enjoys the courtroom and has always wanted to be a litigator. A significant portion of his practice is spent helping clients navigate the various licensing authorities that New York has involved in deciding to grant or deny CCW (gun) Licenses. He takes an individualized approach to each and every appeal and Article 78 proceeding. Additionally this has further opened his eyes to clear disparate treatment many members of our country face. This unique...

James K. Riley is an attorney who provides clients with personal injury and product liability advocacy in New York and New Jersey. He also serves his clients in the complex areas of estate planning, estate administration, elder law business and tax planning in both states. Mr. Riley teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the fields of estate planning, elder law and finanical planning at Pace University in White Plains, New York as well as in the field of education law at Long Island University and Pace University. Mr. Riley is an Accredited Estate Planner and a Certified Financial Planner. He...

Mr. Santos has been practicing law for over twenty six years, most of which on behalf of employees. He has successfully represented numerous clients before the state and federal courts in New York, and before administrative agencies, including the EEOC, the New York State Division of Human Rights, the New York City Commission on Human Rights and the U.S. and N.Y.S. Departments of Labor. His practice area includes representing individuals in employment law and civil rights litigation, mediations, and arbitrations in matters involving unlawful discrimination and harassment and retaliation in private and public employment, housing and public accommodations. He represents clients...