Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Steven M. Silverberg is a partner in Silverberg Zalantis LLP. 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 continues to provide to businesses, municipalities and individuals. In addition to his experience with the approval process for residential and commercial developments and related litigation, he has negotiated complex development agreements and counseled clients in the financing of commercial projects.

Jared Altman has over twenty seven years experience in the legal field. While still in law school he worked in the District Attorney's Office assisting with the prosecution of matters such as driving while intoxicated or impaired, assault and larceny. He also represented disabled persons seeking Social Security Disability benefits. Upon graduating Hofstra University Law School with distinction in 1981, he entered the litigation field with positions at law firms emphasizing personal injury and commercial litigation. There he was exposed to cases involving automobiles, buses, subways, false arrest, infantâs claims, burns and animal bites, to name a few. He was then recruited by what was then the worldâs oldest and largest insurance company to defend the companyâs insureds in various kinds of lawsuits, from falls and auto accidents through complex elevator and construction accident cases, including appellate work. He also represented the company itself in numerous lawsuits in both State and Federal courts, including the prosecution of subrogation claims, defending arbitrations and in declaratory judgment actions to determine insurance coverage. He rose through the ranks to become the Senior New York City Trial Attorney assigned primarily to the Manhattan Supreme Court.

Mr. Altman was then invited to join the litigation department of one of New Yorkâs preeminent real estate firms, whose practice focused on condominium and cooperative law. Mr. Altman handled complex real estate lawsuits and helped found the firmâs personal injury practice. While there he worked on all kinds of litigation, including personal injury and accident cases, medical malpractice actions, shareholderâs derivative lawsuits, commercial and residential landlord and tenant proceedings, regulatory hearings and more. Mr. Altman also handled residential and commercial real estate closings and such diverse matters as commercial leasing and tax certiorari (fighting real estate tax increases for apartment buildings and complexes). Mr. Altman even got involved in legal matters in such far flung places as England, Puerto Rico, California, Virginia and Florida. Mr. Altman further assisted one of the senior partners, a renowned criminal defense attorney, with the defense of various criminal prosecutions such as rape, conspiracy and grand larceny. He also handled estate planning and administration. He ultimately ascended to lead the litigation department as Senior Litigation Partner.

In 1996, Mr. Altman began relocating his practice to the greater Hudson Valley while remaining active in New York City. By 1999, Mr. Altman had moved his office to Peekskill and had shifted his practice from primarily New York City centered to focus more on Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange Counties, although he still handles matters in all five boroughs of New York City and in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Mr. Altman also has colleagues that handle out-of-state matters for him in places such as Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, California and Puerto Rico.

Mr. Altman's practice is now quite diverse and draws upon the wide expanse of experience he has gained over the years. He handles all kinds of personal injury cases, such as auto accidents and falls, medical and other professional malpractice, wrongful death, all kinds of real estate deals and real estate litigation such as closings and landlord and tenant proceedings, criminal law, including DWI, and wills, trusts and estates. Mr. Altman also qualified to and serves on the panel of criminal defense attorneys available for assignment to defendants who cannot afford their own attorney.

Mr. Altman is a broadly and thoroughly seasoned attorney who brings vast experience to bear in all matters he handles. His personal touch is on every file in the office. Mr. Altman takes pride in keeping his clients fully informed about the status of their matters and strives to educate them so that they can make informed decisions about the strategies to be employed and the merits and pitfalls of all possible resolutions. One hundred percent of clients surveyed have indicated that they would use him again and that they would recommend Mr. Altman to others. That is the kind of attorney that you want on your side.

Best of all, Mr. Altman offers free telephone consultations in any matter an there is no attorney fee unless and until there is a recovery in personal injury, accident, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims.

So please call right away for your free consultation!

Klose & Associates offers various legal services to individuals and businesses, including business entity formation, contract preparation and negotiation, litigation, buying and selling personal and business assets, and wills and estate matters. Our clients have sought representation for business, environmental, insurance, intellectual property trademark and copyright), personal injury, professional malpractice (accountant, legal, medical), real estate and probate or estate matters.

I wear many hats in the legal industry. As a lawyer, I provide freelance legal research and writing services to other lawyers through Lisa Solomon, Esq. Legal Research and Writing. As a business owner, I am a partner in The Billable Hour Company, which sells humorous gifts and greeting cards for lawyers and legal professionals. And as a consultant, through Legal Research & Writing Pro, I help lawyers improve their legal writing skills, and I also teach other lawyers how to start and run successful practices as freelance (a/k/a contract) attorneys.

Lisa Solomon, Esq. Legal Research and Writing

Comprehensive Legal Research and Writing Services for Attorneys
As you manage every other aspect of your clients' complex matters, you may find that comprehensive, in-depth legal research and concise, well-reasoned legal writing are just too labor intensive to take on yourself.

In some cases, it may simply be a matter of time—you're in the middle of a trial and need case law to support an evidentiary or substantive point; or you have to make or respond to a post-trial motion in a timely manner. In other instances, your decision whether to even take on a case depends on the answers to legal issues you've identified, and you need help finding those answers.

Since 1996, I have focused my practice exclusively on assisting attorneys with all of their legal research and writing needs, including preparing and arguing appeals and drafting substantive motions and trial memoranda. I work in almost every area of law, teaming with my clients to determine the best strategy to apply to the unique facts and legal issues in each case.

A Proactive and Personalized Approach to Legal Analysis
When you are faced with a motion, appeal, or legal research issue, you need to know more than the black letter law—you need to know how that law applies to the unique facts of your case. I never give you a "canned" brief; all of my work is customized, to be of most use to the busy attorneys who use my services.

I also take a proactive approach to identifying legal issues beyond the scope of the original assignment that may be crucial to the ultimate success of the project, helping you to be the most effective advocate for your client.

Learn more at www.QuestionOfLaw.net.


The Billable Hour Company

Looking for that perfect gift or greeting card for a lawyer, paralegal, law student, or other legal professional? The Billable Hour Company sells unique clocks and watches with dials divided into six-minute increments; humorous CDs by and for lawyers; law-related books and games; desk accessories; personal accessories; and Survival Kits—gift baskets containing selections of our most popular products. We also offer gift certificates that never expire.

The Billable Hour Card Store is the world’s only online greeting card store featuring humorous and customizable printed greeting cards especially for lawyers and other legal professionals. The store uses print-on-demand technology that allows customers to send highly personalized cards to their clients, colleagues, prospects and friends.

We offer volume discounts and custom logo clocks and watches. Contact us at 815-346-3468 or info@TheBillableHour.com to discuss how we can assist with your corporate gift program.

The Billable Hour Company is run by practicing lawyers Mark and Lisa Solomon.

Visit us at www.TheBillableHour.com.


Legal Research & Writing Pro

I started Legal Research & Writing Pro to help other lawyers improve their legal writing skills, and to teach lawyers how to start and run successful legal research and writing practices.

Studies and surveys show that career satisfaction among lawyers is at an all-time low. Chief among the reasons for a lack of satisfaction is the inability of many lawyers to achieve a balance between the demands of their careers and their personal lives. I believe your law degree shouldn’t be a trap: it should be a liberating, empowering force.

Technology and the outsourcing revolution have joined forces to make this the best time in history to establish a legal research and writing practice.

I’ve been in the field of outsourced legal research and writing since its infancy. When I started my practice twelve years ago, a lot of lawyers didn’t even use e-mail: I had to drag some of my clients, kicking and screaming, into the internet age. Although I could do legal research online, my dial-up connection was painfully slow. But the most difficult challenge to overcome was lawyers’ unfamiliarity with the idea of outsourcing research and writing work to a contract attorney.

Today, all that has changed. E-mail use is well-nigh universal among lawyers. High-speed internet connections make online legal research a breeze. And, most importantly, lawyers are becoming more comfortable with the idea of using contract attorneys to perform discrete tasks, whether the task is making a court appearance, defending a deposition, or researching and writing a brief.

For years, lawyers across the country have called and e-mailed me asking for advice on how to start and run a legal research and writing practice. I’m pleased that I’ve been able to help so many lawyers get their start in this practice area. But I realized that I could help so many more people in a much more comprehensive way if I compiled everything I have learned over the past twelve years and made it widely available.

I can understand if you’re a little leery: after all, why should I share what I’ve learned with thousands of potential competitors? The answer is simple: I think there is amazing pent-up demand for high-quality outsourced legal research and writing services.

As a solo practitioner, I need only a handful of good clients to support my practice. According to the American Bar Association, as of December 31, 2005, there were over 1.1 million practicing lawyers in the United States. In a 2000 statistical survey, the American Bar Foundation found that 36% of lawyers were solo practitioners and 38% worked in small firms. Small firms and solos are the most likely potential clients for a legal research and writing practitioner. As these lawyers search for their own work/life balance, they’ll be more and more interested in outsourcing their excess workload to specially-trained legal research and writing providers.

At the same time, based on my research, there currently are very few lawyers out there who actively promote themselves as dedicated legal research and writing service providers. In fact, I have located fewer than 100 lawyers in the United States whose web sites indicate that they perform legal research and writing services of any sort on a contract basis. (Of course, it’s likely that many more lawyers take on contract work, including legal research and writing projects, but do not advertise that fact.

All this talk of work/life balance and professional satisfaction might sound very “pie-in-the-sky”—even utopian—to most of us, almost too good to be true. You suspect that this kind of work must pay a pittance. But you really can have it all: a challenging career, the flexibility to enjoy personal and family time and a comfortable living.

To find out more about how LRWP can help you achieve the professional satisfaction you're looking for, visit our products page. There, you'll find more information about my new book, Contract Lawyering Success; our monthly group coaching calls; our library of recorded teleseminars and expert interviews; and personal, one-on-one private coaching sessions. These resources—in various combinations—are the keystones of our Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus Memberships.

Visit us at www.LegalResearchandWritingPro.com

While working as a prosecutor, Brian Berkowitz was appointed by the District Attorney of Rockland County as the Senior Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Driving While Intoxicated Bureau. In this supervisory role, he was responsible for the training of prosecutors and the review and assessment of every Driving While Intoxicated (DWI / DUI) case brought before the District Attorney's Office, as well as personally handling the most serious misdemeanor and felony Driving While Intoxicated cases from inception to trial.

As a Criminal Defense Attorney, Brian Berkowitz has utilized his insight and vast background and experience on both sides of the criminal justice system to diligently defend those charged with Driving While Intoxicated and all other Criminal matters before the Courts of Rockland County and the State of New York.

A Driving While Intoxicated (DWI / DUI) charge, unlike most other crimes, not only subjects you to criminal sanctions, but will also have serious ramifications on your driving privileges as early as the first Court appearance. The laws of the State of New York allow for the prompt and immediate suspension of your driving privileges based solely upon an alleged blood alcohol level (.08 or greater), as well as the immediate suspension of your driving privileges for refusing to submit to a chemical test to determine your blood alcohol concentration.

If you or someone you care about has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated or any other Criminal matter, please contact Brian Berkowitz to discuss your case and the options available to you.

Law Office of Brian Berkowitz
845-638-9200

DWI and Criminal Defense Lawyer (Attorney) serving All Rockland County (NY) Courts: Town of Clarkstown, Town of Ramapo, Town of Stony Point, Town of Haverstraw, Town of Orangetown, Village of Spring Valley, Village of Nyack, Village of Suffern, Village of South Nyack, Village of Piermont, Village of Airmont, Village of Haverstraw, Village of Wesley Hills, Village of Chestnut Ridge, Village of West Haverstraw, Village of Sloatsburg, Village of Grandview, Village of Upper Nyack, Village of New Square, Village of Hillburn, New York State Thruway and Palisades Interstate Parkway.

Manuel Portela
Manuel@portelalaw.com
Law School: The Washington College of Law at American University, Degree: JD 1990
Undergraduate School: Fordham University, 1986
Foreign Language: Spanish

Manuel Portela Esq. is the founding partner of The Portela Law Firm, P.C. He specializes in Corporate and Commercial Law, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.

After graduating from Fordham University and American University Washington College of Law, Mr. Portela accepted an appointment as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney‘s Office in New York. During his tenure as an Assistant District Attorney, he received extensive training and instruction in the Criminal Court Bureau, Early Case Assessment Bureau, Felony Investigations Bureau and the Supreme Court Bureau. Among the Felony and Misdemeanor cases that he successfully won, he resolved thousands of cases through effective plea negotiations. After his resignation Mr. Portela diversified his practice representing businesses as well as individuals.

Manuel Portela launched The Portela Law Firm, P.C. with the aim of fighting relentlessly to assert and protect the interest of his clients as well as providing professional and compassionate representation to New York‘s diverse population.

Work Experience, Certifications and awards:

King County Assistant District Attorney, Senior Trial Attorney (1990-1995)
American University International Law Journal, Senior Editor
New York Federal Reserve Bank, 1986, Division: Domestic Bank Examinations- Domestic Bank Examiner

I offer personal attention to your legal matters, concentrating in the following areas:

1. Defense against lawsuits
2. Divorce
3. Libel defense
4. Trademark Registration

I practice primarily in the Courts in the five boros of New York City and Westchester County, but also appear in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam and other New York counties.

I seek to provide an individualized creative and cost effective solution to any legal problem. For a confidential discussion of your situation, please feel free to get in touch.

Patrick W. Begos is a founding member of the firm and senior partner in the Westport office. He heads the firm's trial and appellate group. Pat brings 19 years of litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation experience to the firm.

Prior to forming Begos Horgan & Brown, Patrick was a partner in the New York City litigation firm Molton & Meekins (1995-1998), and he was previously associated with Weil, Gotshal & Manges (1990-1995); and Lane & Mittendorf (1988-1990).

He is a current member of the Trial Tactics and the Life, Health and Disability Sections of the Defense Research Institute, and a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association. He is also a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Trial Evidence subcommittees of the American Bar Association. He is a past member of the Committee on Art Law of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and he is admitted to the bar in New York and Connecticut.

Patrick received his legal education from Columbia University School of Law (J.D) and did his undergraduate work at Johns Hopkins University (BA with honors).

Pat works primarily on cases involving business and personal disputes in a wide variety of commercial areas including:
- ERISA benefits
- insurance coverage
- securities transactions
- real estate development and property management
- employment
- copyright and trademark
- internet commerce
- secured lending
- fine art acquisitions and sales
- products liability
- real estate transactions
- bankruptcy
- corporate governance

His day-to-day practice includes:
- Defending ERISA claim administrators and disability insurers at trial and in appellate courts
- Pursuing lender liability and predatory lending claims on behalf of borrowers
- Representing real estate owners, buyers and sellers in disputes over sales, construction and land use
- Assisting business owners in solving problems with partners, shareholders, creditors and suppliers