YANKWITT LLP
Protecting Your Interests in High-Stakes Litigation
Yankwitt LLP is the go-to litigation firm in Westchester County. We have tried hundreds of cases covering a broad range of civil and complex criminal matters in state and federal courts throughout the region. Whether you or your business are in need of an aggressive trial lawyer or you are seeking experienced local counsel in the New York metropolitan area, the lawyers at Yankwitt LLP will handle all of your litigation needs in a way that aligns with your business and individual goals.
Learn MorePractice Areas
As a full-service litigation firm, we routinely handle matters in federal and state courts in Westchester County and throughout New York and New Jersey. Our practice areas include:
Alternative Dispute Resolution If you want a great settlement, hire a skilled trial lawyer. Whether in arbitration or at the mediation table, our aggressive negotiating skills combined with our creative problem-solving acumen allow us to structure optimal settlements for our clients, while our reputation as exceptional trial attorneys often tips the balance in favor of mediated settlements.
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy Litigation Bankruptcy attorneys regularly refer their clients to Yankwitt LLP to represent them in adversary proceedings arising in bankruptcies involving claims of fraudulent transfer, preferential transfer, dischargeability, directors and officers liability, professional malpractice, and successor liability. Our experience with high-stakes, complex litigation and our extensive federal court experience makes us especially qualified to resolve these cases favorably.
Business Litigation Our business litigation clients include organizations of all sizes, from local, Westchester-based companies to national and multinational conglomerates across a variety of industries. Regardless of the business matter or industry, we are focused on one goal: achieving the best possible outcome for our clients, whether through settlement negotiations or proceeding through trial.
COVID-19 Litigation The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread disruption to the global economy and businesses of all kinds. Navigating the multitude of legal issues that have emerged in this new environment demands creative legal thinking and aggressive advocacy: Maximizing financial recovery for both plaintiffs and defendants will require lawyers to develop and pursue novel legal theories with tenacity and sophisticated intellect.
Employment Litigation We have deep experience representing clients in employment disputes before federal and state courts, governmental agencies, and arbitral tribunals. We regularly litigate a wide range of employment matters, including discrimination claims, contract disputes, workplace harassment and whistleblower retaliation, and wage and hour litigation. We also represent high-net-worth corporate executives and individuals in complex executive compensation and severance negotiations.
ERISA & Benefits Litigation Yankwitt LLP’s ERISA/Benefits Litigation practice combines the firm’s extensive experience in employment and labor litigation and high-stakes, complex litigation to resolve disputes related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and other federal and state employee benefits issues. Our clients benefit from our impressive depth of federal court experience, which is the forum for most benefits litigation.
Family Law Litigation When family law matters require the skills of an accomplished litigator, clients turn to Westchester law firm Yankwitt LLP for assistance. We are well-versed in all matters concerning divorce negotiation and litigation and have represented clients when issues of child custody, child support, and enforcement of pre and postnuptial agreements become contentious.
Insurance Coverage Disputes Yankwitt LLP represents policyholders and insureds in insurance coverage disputes throughout New York. Our clients represent a diverse group of industries, including hospitality, retail, biotechnology, education, manufacturing, financial and professional services, as well as nonprofit and religious organizations. We understand our clients’ businesses and are well versed in the complexities of insurance coverage terms and their interpretations by the courts.
Last Minute Trial Team Because of our reputation as the go-to Westchester litigation firm, we often are retained to take over complex cases scheduled for trial. Whether clients choose to switch counsel or if current counsel needs the support of an effective, seasoned trial attorney, clients and referring counsel can be assured that Yankwitt LLP is prepared to take the lead at trial.
Premises Liability We bring extensive experience in premises liability defense to our business clients, regularly representing national hospitality groups, regional restaurant chains, and stand-alone operations of all kinds in litigation throughout New York and New Jersey. We staff leanly with experienced attorneys who litigate all types of premises liability matters aggressively and cost effectively. As highly skilled trial lawyers, we advise our clients when to optimize settlements or when to proceed to trial.
Professional Liability Our professional liability practice focuses on malpractice claims against accountants, attorneys, and architects. We represent individuals and firms on both sides of these cases, employing our knowledge of the regulatory and professional landscape, the local courts, and the litigation process. Whether your claim is before a judge or an arbitrator, or appropriate for mediation, we are adept at helping our clients resolve professional liability matters favorably and efficiently.
Real Estate Litigation Our real estate litigators represent clients in a wide range of property disputes, including lease disputes, landlord and tenant conflicts, defense of title claims, mortgages and defense of foreclosures. We have worked with clients in settling or litigation construction disputes, homeowners’ associations disputes, and zoning and land use proceedings under Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules, to name just a few of the issues we handle.
Trusts & Estates Litigation When litigation is necessary to resolve trusts and estate issues, trusts and estates attorneys refer their clients to our Westchester law firm. We provide compassionate counsel as we work to protect our clients’ rights. Matters we regularly handle include contested wills, fiduciary removal, trust challenges, and spousal rights issues (others?)
White Collar Criminal Defense At Yankwitt LLP, our deep bench of former federal prosecutors is acutely prepared to defend our clients in white collar and complex criminal matters, working to quickly end investigations without charges or penalties whenever possible. If litigation is unavoidable, our highly qualified attorneys aggressively defend our clients’ interests, leveraging our thorough knowledge of the criminal bench and bar to negotiate favorable outcomes. If going to trial is the best option, our criminal defense attorneys, who have tried hundreds of criminal matters throughout their careers, stand ready to zealously advocate for our clients in a court of law.
Why Choose Yankwitt LLP?
If you have a litigation matter before a federal or state court in Westchester County or the larger New York metropolitan area, you need a team of aggressive and experienced litigators who have home court advantage. Every trial lawyer at Yankwitt LLP is deeply connected to the New York court systems. All of our New York-based attorneys clerked for federal judges and/or served as federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. In fact, we are the only firm in Westchester County with a former clerk from every sitting federal judge in the White Plains courthouse.
Yankwitt LLP has assembled an all-star team of litigators who have been recognized for their achievements by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers® and Martindale-Hubbell, among others. In addition to serving as federal prosecutors and law clerks, our attorneys attended top law schools and worked for leading national and New York-based law firms – a comprehensive, rigorous training that develops the most creative problem solvers and persuasive writers who know how to effectively and efficiently resolve cases. Leading this A-team is Russell Yankwitt, a graduate of Cornell Law School and a former federal law clerk, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and major New York City law firm alumnus.
Yankwitt LLP provides “white shoe” litigation services to law firms needing local or conflict counsel, and to transactional, bankruptcy and family law firms who require experienced litigators to protect their clients’ interests in complex litigation. We are routinely referred matters because of our extensive experience in the New York federal and state courts, aggressive advocacy, and client responsiveness, which means a seamless, unparalleled litigation experience for your clients.
Whether your legal issue lands you in state or federal court, we have earned a reputation as the go-to Westchester law firm whose fierce negotiators and aggressive litigators get the job done. When the stakes are high, you need attorneys who will fight for you at the settlement table when a pre-trial resolution is possible or in the courtroom when it is not.
Having impeccably trained and experienced Westchester County attorneys affords us the ability to provide skilled, lean staffing on our cases – typically with no more than two attorneys per case. Our talent combined with our lower White Plains overhead and an emphasis on cost-effective litigation strategies means we can handle your most complex matters without having to charge big city fees.
We pride ourselves on providing personalized service, tailoring our legal strategies to meet each client’s specific needs and business goals. We are both trusted counsel and strategic partner, and your desired outcomes become our dedicated mission.
Success Stories
$42+M
Saved for our Business Litigation Clients
$10+M
Saved for Our Hospitality Defense Clients
1,750+
Matters Opened Since the Firm’s Inception
Testimonials
I made a great decision when I called Yankwitt LLP, and I appreciate Russell accepting me and guiding me through the process. Russell and his…
- Steven BacettiYankwitt LLP is hands down the premier boutique litigation firm in the White Plains/Westchester area. The attorneys are top-notch, experienced litigators with stellar credentials and…
- AnonymousYankwitt LLP has and continues to provide excellent and cost-effective representation in a broad array of areas involving premises liability, wage & hour, and employment-related…
- W. Glenn Viers, Hillstone Restaurant GroupYankwitt LLP has a highly competent, professional team.
- AnonymousRepresentative Matters
- Yankwitt LLP Uses Sophisticated Deposition Strategy to Craft Winning Summary Judgment Motion in Employment Discrimination Case
- Aggressive Defense of Nonprofit’s Directors Before Trial Leads to Settlement Fully Paid by Insurance Company and Release from Litigation
- Yankwitt LLP Obtains Defense Verdict in Contract Dispute Seeking $43 Million in Damages
- Yankwitt LLP’s Filing of Shareholder Derivative Action Leads to Multi-Million Dollar Settlement Buy-Out of Its Client
- Yankwitt LLP Prevails in First Department Appeal and Secures Dismissal of Breach of Contract Case Against Hospitality Clients
- Yankwitt LLP Achieves Global Settlement of Multi-Litigation Dispute Over Marital Trust Worth Hundreds of Millions of Dollars