When you’re facing a legal challenge, having the right lawyer by your side can make all the difference. Whether you’re dealing with a complex business dispute, a personal injury case, or navigating the intricacies of family law, finding an attorney who is experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy is crucial. New York City, a hub of legal expertise, is home to some of the nation’s top attorneys, known for their exceptional skill and dedication.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best lawyers in New York, each standing out for their achievements, client satisfaction, and reputation in the legal community. Whether you need legal advice or representation, these professionals are among the best New York has to offer.
1. Steven F. Molo – Administrative Lawyer
Steven F. Molo is a founding partner of MoloLamken, a national litigation boutique. Renowned as one of the country’s leading courtroom advocates, he represents a diverse range of clients in complex business litigation, white-collar criminal and regulatory matters, and intellectual property litigation.
Recognitions:
- Lawdragon: 500 Leading Lawyers in America (12 years)
- Chambers USA: Recognized
- Super Lawyers: Top 100 Lawyers in New York
- The Best Lawyers in America: Recognized
- Benchmark Litigation: Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America
- Legal 500: Elite Leading Trial Lawyers
Experience:
- Extensive trial and appellate advocacy
- Prosecutor in Chicago, senior litigator at Winston & Strawn, partner at Shearman & Sterling
- Handles high-stakes civil and criminal cases nationwide
- Frequent expert witness on commercial law and corporate internal investigations
Expertise:
- Civil Matters: Antitrust, breach of contract, fraud, shareholder rights, and more
- Criminal Matters: Antitrust, fraud, environmental crimes, obstruction of justice, and more
- Intellectual Property: Patent, trademark, trade dress, trade secret, and copyright cases
- Teaching & Publications: Lectured at prestigious law schools, authored several legal treatises
Contact Information:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Phone | 212.607.8170 |
| smolo@mololamken.com | |
| Website | Visit Website |
2. Marijo C. Adimey – Accident Attorney
Marijo C. Adimey is a highly respected trial attorney known for her dedication to representing those who have suffered from catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Her compassionate approach, exceptional trial skills, and relentless pursuit of justice have earned her a reputation as one of the top women litigators in personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice.
Recognitions:
- Super Lawyers: Top Women Litigators in New York (2017)
- The Best Lawyers in America: Recognized since 2015
- New York Magazine’s Best Lawyers: Featured in medical malpractice and personal injury
- Martindale-Hubbell: AV rating (highest rating) and Client Distinction Award
Experience:
- Began as Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases
- Joined Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf in 2014, becoming a partner in 2017
- Obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in medical malpractice and personal injury cases
Expertise:
- Medical Malpractice: Secured top verdicts, including $2.5 million and $1.32 million in separate cases
- Personal Injury & Wrongful Death: Litigated numerous high-stakes cases with significant settlements
Leadership & Committees:
- Appointed to the Medical Malpractice Advisory Committee for the Supreme Court, New York County
- Board Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- Lecturer for the New York State Bar Association
Contact Information:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Phone | 646-665-4139 |
| madimey@gairgair.com | |
| Website | Visit Website |
3. Joseph P. Carlucci – Finance and Banking Attorney in New York
Joseph P. Carlucci is a Partner at Cuddy + Feder, specializing in corporate and real estate law with a focus on industrial development revenue bond practice. He has a wealth of experience representing both large and small corporations, handling a wide range of corporate and real estate transactions.
Expertise:
- Corporate Law: Business acquisition and sale contracts, partnership agreements, LLC operating agreements, employment contracts
- Real Estate: Acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing, and development project approvals
- Finance & Banking: Lending transactions for borrowers and lenders, including real property secured and asset-based transactions
- Industrial Development: Revenue bond financings, including “straight lease” transactions
Education:
- Fordham University School of Law: J.D., 1967
- Georgetown University: B.A. in Economics, 1964
Admissions:
- New York
Contact Information:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Phone | 914-761-1300 |
| jcarlucci@cuddyfeder.com | |
| Website | Visit Website |
4. Michael Kessler – Bankruptcy Attorney
Michael Kessler is a distinguished partner in the Business Solutions, Governance, Restructuring & Bankruptcy Group. With a focus on out-of-court restructuring and bankruptcy representation, Michael has a robust practice dealing with large, public company Chapter 11 debtors. His recent cases include high-profile names such as Capmark Financial Group, Inc., LNR Corporation, Lehman Brothers, and SemGroup.
He also represents major creditors, creditors’ committees, and equity interests in significant bankruptcy cases, including those of MF Global, Inc., Delphi Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Avianca Airlines, Federal Mogul Corporation, and Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc.
Michael brings extensive experience to complex bankruptcy litigation, handling issues such as fraudulent conveyance, substantive consolidation, debt subordination and recharacterization, and lender liability.
Contact Info:
| Phone | +1.212.969.4675 |
|---|---|
| mkessler@proskauer.com | |
| Website | Visit Website |
5. Jacqueline Newman – Divorce Lawyer in New York
Jacqueline Newman, managing partner at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP, is renowned for her expertise in high-net-worth matrimonial cases and prenuptial agreements. With a practice in litigation, collaborative law, and mediation, she provides comprehensive family law services.
She authored “The New Rules of Divorce” (Simon & Schuster, 2020) and frequently appears in major media outlets like The New York Times and NBC News. Jacqueline has taught at Fordham University School of Law and holds a certificate in Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School Online.
Her accolades include the AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating and listings in Thompson Reuters New York-Metro Super Lawyers Top 50 Women Attorneys and Best Lawyers in America.
Contact Info:
| Phone | 866-827-1798 |
|---|---|
| jnewman@berkbot.com | |
| Website | Visit Website |
6. Harriet Newman Cohen – Family Lawyer in New York
Harriet Newman Cohen is a renowned family law attorney and founding partner of Cohen Stine Kapoor LLP, a prestigious matrimonial and family law firm. Known as the “doyenne” of matrimonial law in New York City, Harriet’s impressive career spans over decades. She has been recognized as one of the “TOP 50 Female Lawyers” by New York Metro Super Lawyers from 2009 to 2021 and as one of the “TOP 100 Lawyers” (men and women) from 2010 to 2021.
Harriet’s notable clients include celebrities such as Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Paul George, and Laurence Fishburne. She is frequently appointed by courts to represent children in contested family law matters and as a neutral evaluator to facilitate settlements.
Ms. Cohen has received numerous accolades, including the AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has served on various prestigious legal committees and boards. She was honored as “Alumna of the Year” by Brooklyn Law School in 2020 and recognized by the New York County Lawyers Association as an outstanding woman in the legal profession in 2017.
Contact Info:
| Phone | 212-512-0801 |
|---|---|
| hcohen@csklawny.com | |
| Website | Visit Website |
7. Julie Rendelman – Criminal Lawyer in New York
Julie Rendelman is a distinguished criminal defense attorney known for her exceptional work in high-profile cases. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Julie began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County, Brooklyn, where she earned a reputation as a formidable trial attorney. She served as lead counsel in over 60 felony jury trials, including cases involving drug offenses, sex crimes, and homicides. Julie was promoted to Senior Trial Attorney and later to Deputy Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau.
Some of Julie’s notable cases include:
- The abduction and murder of eight-year-old Leiby Kletzky
- The stabbing death of New York City bus driver Edwin Thomas
- The murder-for-hire case involving Dwayne Burnett
In addition to her prosecutorial experience, Julie has taught Criminal Procedure as an Adjunct Professor at Brooklyn Law School. She now runs her own practice, the Law Offices of Julie Rendelman, LLC, leveraging her extensive experience to offer a robust defense.
Julie has received numerous accolades, including:
- America’s Top 50 Lawyers – Criminal Law, New York 2021
- Top 100, The National Trial Lawyers (2015-2019)
- Top 1%, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Superb Rating (10.0/10.0), Avvo
- Lawyers of Distinction (2018, 2019)
- Client’s Choice Award, AVVO (2017)
Contact Info:
| Phone | 212-951-1232 |
|---|---|
| Visit Website |
8. Douglas Lightman – Immigration Lawyer in New York
Douglas Lightman is a highly respected immigration lawyer with extensive experience in international law and immigration matters. Before founding Lightman Law Firm, Douglas worked at an international tax consulting firm, specializing in international tax issues, cross-border transactions, and U.S. immigration matters.
He earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His notable accolades include:
- America’s Top 50 Immigration Lawyers, New York 2021
- Rising Star Super Lawyer, New York Metro (2014-2018)
- Top 3 Immigration Lawyers in New York, NY by Three Best Rated, 2018
- Who’s Who in American Law by Marquis Who’s Who, 2018
- 10 Best by the American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2017
- Top 100 Lawyers by The National Advocates, 2017
- Top 40 Under 40 Immigration Lawyers in New York State by The American Society of Legal Advocates, 2016
- Best For Business Immigration Matters – USA by Acquisition International, 2015
- Immigration Law Firm of the Year in New York by Acquisition International, 2014
Douglas is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, with a deep personal connection to immigration law. His global travels and family background in immigration have enriched his perspective and expertise in the field.
Contact Info:
| Phone | (212) 913-9452 |
|---|---|
| Visit Website |
9. Eric Dinnocenzo – Insurance Lawyer in New York
Eric Dinnocenzo is a leading insurance lawyer renowned for his expertise in representing consumers and injured persons in civil litigation against corporations and insurance companies. With a track record of numerous successful trials and appellate briefs, including submissions to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Eric is a prominent figure in his field.
Eric’s career began immediately after law school when he worked as a civil legal aid attorney, securing the largest verdict ever recorded by his office before even being admitted to the bar. He later worked at prominent boutique civil litigation firms before founding the Law Offices of Eric Dinnocenzo in 2011.
He has been actively involved in legal education, publishing articles and speaking on topics such as insurance denials and employment discrimination. Eric is also a Vice-Chair of the Insurance Law section of the American Association for Justice and is a member of several professional organizations including the New York City Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Eric’s education includes:
- J.D., Boston College Law School, 2001 (Cum Laude)
- B.A., Fairfield University, 1995
Contact Info:
| Phone | (212) 933-1675 |
|---|---|
| Visit Website |