Craig N. Yankwitt, Attorney

Craig N. Yankwitt joined SGT in 2004 following his clerkship with the Honorable Stefan R. Underhill, United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut. Prior to his clerkship, Craig received his juris doctorate degree from Cornell Law School, and his bachelor of science degree from Cornell University.

At SGT, Craig enjoys a diverse civil litigation practice which focuses on representing individuals, classes of individuals, and business owners in actions against employers, business competitors, insurance companies, municipalities, state and federal governmental agencies, manufacturers and suppliers of products. Craig further represents individuals who have suffered significant physical and economic harm as a result of the negligent provision of medical and other health care services, as well as the negligent operation of motor vehicles. Such actions arise in both New York and Connecticut.

In the employment sphere, Craig represents individuals who have suffered adverse employment actions in violation of their contractual rights, federal and state employment discrimination statutes, including whistle blower statutes, the First Amendment and public policy. Recently, in a case of first impression under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, a federal statute designed to protect the civilian careers of our country's voluntary armed forces, Craig represented a veteran who was denied reemployment by his former employer, a major financial institution, into his former position as a financial advisor. After a five-day trial in federal court, the jury returned a verdict on behalf of his client, and in the process greatly expanded the rights of returning veterans across the country.

Other recent employment cases include an action on behalf of a former general counsel of an international shipping company for wrongful termination because he refused to participate in an illegal price-fixing scheme; a breach of contract claim involving a severance dispute on behalf of a senior company employee; and a sexual harassment claim on behalf of a paralegal.

In the personal injury arena, Craig represents children and adults who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries, including death. Such cases entail the negligent provision of medical and other health care services, as well as the negligent operation of motor vehicles. Recent malpractice cases include a wrongful death action against a primary care physician for failing to recognize apparent indicia of coronary heart disease, an action against a primary care physician for failing to diagnose liver cancer, a wrongful death action against a nursing home facility for failing to prevent an elderly patient from falling from his bed, a wrongful death action against a surgeon who failed to timely perform a necessary surgery, and an action against an anesthesiologist whose failure to properly position his client during back surgery resulted in a permanent loss of arm function.

In his practice against the owners and operators of automobiles, trucks, and watercrafts, Craig has secured millions of dollars in settlements on behalf of his clients. In this area, Craig represents individuals who, at a result of the tortious conduct of others, have suffered significant personal injuries, including death, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent orthopedic injuries.

Craig also devotes a significant portion of his time to pro bono matters. Craig currently represents the parents of a special needs child seeking tuition reimbursement as a result of the school district's failure to provide their son a free and appropriate education in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In addition, in 2007, Craig prevailed in district court on a habeas petition on behalf of an indigent client whose constitutional rights had been violated.

Craig is a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association of Justice (formerly, American Trial Lawyers Association), the Federal Bar Council, Inns of the Court, and the Fairfield County Bar Association.