Robert Fischl | East Meadow Criminal Lawyer

• , U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
  1984
• , District of Columbia and U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
  1985

I can think of a number of cases in which I have been able to have a positive impact. I have been able in separate cases to help 2 mothers who were receiving inadequate support for their respective children from the high profile and influential fathers' who had utilized their resources to harass, and underpay support as well as to ostracize the children. I have been able in both foreclosure cases and in will contests to help families keep and sty in their homes, when financial institutions or relatives have attempted to take them away. I have also been able to help a number of criminal defendants turn their lives around and become productive citizens and at the same time protect some people who were charged with crimes who in fact committed no crime to be exonerated.

I have heretofore relied upon clients whom I have had the opportunity to represent to refer others to me.

Clients should look for a lawyer who is reluctant to give them definitive answers. The should look to avoid a lawyer who based upon the facts that they provide will guarantee to win their case. All cases are fact sensitive, and the other side usually presents a different set of facts. Clients should look for a lawyer who will listen to what they have to say, and will give them a fair and honest analysis while acknowledging that the analysis may change based upon any unknown factors. Clients should look for a lawyer who will give them honest answers and bot tell the client what the lawyer perceives the client wants to hear. Lastly, it is the worst of all possible ideas to select a lawyer by the size of the fee that he or she seeks. While money is always a consideration for people, the price of poor representation always exceeds the fee.

All knowledge is helpful in planning and executing a successful strategy for a case, whether it is a civil or a criminal case. While local knowledge can be beneficial it is not essential. Indeed, I have represented many clients who have wanted an attorney who was not part of the local scene to represent them.

In terms of phone consultation, the information that I am able to provide is dependent upon the type of case. In a matrimonial, I can provide my hourly rate, but under the professional rules, I am not able to discuss the retainer. In a criminal matter , if I am told the crime charged, prior record, if any, jurisdiction, than I may be able to quote a fee.

The client who desires an effective phone consultation needs to be prepared. If a matrimonial, they should know why they actually want to dissolve the marriage, and to have information concerning their financial contributions and other contributions to the marriage as well as those of their spouse. Often I am asked, will I get the house, the pension, the car, etc. and the answer is usually that you are entitled to share but in an initial consultation it is difficult to know how much of a share. In a will contest, one needs to have an idea as to the reasons to challenge a will, the benefits to be gained or lost. A consultation for the various types of matters that I litigate requires different information.

As for differentiating myself from my colleagues, I leave that to my clients and for others to judge. I have been in private practice for almost twenty years after spending approximately eleven years as prosecutor. During that time, I have had the opportunity not only to observe many different attorneys try cases, but to try numerous cases and even to occasionally teach other lawyers trial techniques. I have been fortunate to be asked to represent individuals and other entities in both federal and state court and to travel to other jurisdictions to help them.

The most rewarding aspect of the practice of law is definitely the opportunity to help someone improve the quality of their life and their future.