Eric R. Bernstein | New York Personal Injury Lawyer

This last year I represented an individual charged with possessing a loaded hand gun in NYC while he was a passenger in a taxi cab. He was indicted and faced a minimum of 3.5 years in prison if convicted. He had no criminal record and had never been arrested before. I was able to get him a plea to a disorderly conduct after completing a 5 week program. Client spent no time in jail and will not have a criminal record.

I have been practicing law for almost 16 years. I started as a prosecutor and then worked for law firms in New York City honing trial skills and developing a broader practice that includes criminal defense and plaintiff's personal injury. When I opened my own practice 8 years ago I really wanted to provide clients with the best possible chance of winning their case. Winning can mean different things to different people. To some people winning means, "case dismissed." To others winning means avoiding jail, etc. In an accident case winning simply means that my client is compensated for their injury. I really try to gauge a client's expectations of what I can do for them with reality of what is most likely to happen. Part of being an attorney is being a counselor who listens to his client and offers solutions that are realistic. Of course not all lawyers are created equal. I pride myself on providing excellent representation. That includes promptly returning phone calls and treating every client with respect and most importantly like a human being.

When hiring a lawyer, trust is everything. I always tell a new or prospective client that they should run away from any lawyer who guarantees an outcome. What I guarantee is that I will give them the best possible chance of winning their case!

Local knowledge is important to being successful. Each venue has its own nuances that can make a difference in how you are treated. I have years of experience practicing in all of the 5 boroughs and Nassau and Suffolk County.

Phone consultation is an opportunity for me to listen to a client tell me about their case. However, I generally tell people that telephone calls are typically not a secure means of communicating so an office meeting is better. Having said that, I often have telephone consultations reminding the prospective client to not make any confessions or admissions over the phone to me or anyone else. Generally, its a bad idea to speak about the case in too much detail over the phone.

In a free phone consultation I am usually most interested in general information. What type of case? Where is the case or where did the event occur? What is person's occupation? Where do they live? Have they made any statements to anyone about the case?

I have a tremendous amount of experience in criminal and personal injury cases. I was hired as a prosecutor right out of law school at 25 years old and was immediately trying cases. I have since handled countless criminal and civil cases with a great track record. Most of my clients are referrals from former or existing clients. I am a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum which is exclusively for lawyers who have achieved a settlement or verdict over 2 million dollars and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA).

The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping people. I truly believe that my job is to be the voice for someone who needs help in what may be the most difficult time of their life. If a client trusts me to represent them I take that trust very seriously and never want to let a client down.

My interests include cycling, exercising, traveling, music, and spending time with my family.

• United States Southern & Eastern District Court
  United States Supreme Court

• Wagner Moot Court Team; Awarded “The Best Advocate” 1997 Trial Competition

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