EDUCATION
Long Island University (B.A., 1972); Brooklyn Law School (J.D., 1976).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association [Chairman of the Appellate Practice Litigation Group of AAJ, Judicial Division, Council of Appellate Lawyers, New York State Chairman] [Former Vice-Chair of the Appellate Advocacy Committee of the Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section]; American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America) [Vice-Chairman, Appellate Practice Litigation Group]; New York State Trial Lawyers Association [Amicus Committee];
PUBLICATIONS
Editor, “MondayMonday”, weekly appellate newsletter for trial attorneys; Columnist, Appellate Law, “Bill of Particulars”, a quarterly publication of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Member and Past-President, Board of Trustees, Bellmore (New York) Union Free School District (elected); Past President, Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association; Member, New York State School Boards Association [State Legislative Network]; Candidate, New York State Assembly. A local newspaper described Mr. Breakstone as “a powerful force, not only in his home district, but also across Long Island and even New York state.”
PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEES AND PRESENTATIONS
Judicial Selection Committee (New York State Court of Appeals), New York State Trial Lawyers Association (1999); St. John’s University School of Law, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lecturer (1998); New York State Trial Lawyers, Continuing Legal Education, Lecturer (1998-2002); New York County Lawyer’s Association, Continuing Legal Education, Lecturer (2000).
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
C.W. Post College, Long Island University, Adjunct Professor Communications (1992-3).
AWARDS AND HONORS
Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, New York State Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (1999); News12 Long Island, “Speaking Out for Long Island Schools Award” (2011); Bellmore Union Free School District Past President Award (2011); Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association Past President Award (2011); New York State School Boards Association, Lifetime Achievement Award (2018); SCOPE Education Services, Outstanding School Board Services Award (2019).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Beginning his career at ABC Radio News in New York City, Mr. Breakstone has enjoyed wide experience in the law, including high-stakes criminal defense, civil litigation as a partner in a “boutique” midtown Manhattan firm, and even as a partner in his own general practice law firm. For years now, as an appellate attorney, he has concentrated in the prosecution and defense of plaintiff’s personal injury appeals, arguing cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. Mr. Breakstone has dealt with complex Class Actions and Multi-District Litigation, advising and writing on such diverse issues as medical device/drug liability, firearms liability, consumer credit responsibility, attorney’s fee litigation, and the liability of the United States towards soldiers injured as a result of government negligence. Not only a skilled appellate advocate, Mr. Breakstone is a prolific writer and lecturer for members of the Bar. He has over 300 reported appellate decisions to his credit. As a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court, Mr. Breakstone takes special pride in sponsoring and personally moving the admission of fellow attorneys before the Court in Washington, D.C.
PRACTICE AREAS
Appellate (Federal and State)
