Find a Lawyer in New York
Browse vetted attorneys and law firms across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and the Greater New York metro area.
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Attorneys & Law Firms in New York
Browse attorneys and law firms across the five boroughs of New York City. All listed professionals have been reviewed through our editorial process.
MyLegalWin selections are made through a documented research process. Read how selections work →
For First-Time Clients
How to Choose a Lawyer in New York
Navigating the legal landscape in New York City requires choosing an attorney with deep experience in local Supreme Court practice and relevant practice area knowledge.
What to Look For
When choosing a lawyer in New York City, focus on:
New York court experience
Civil litigation in NYC is handled primarily in the Supreme Court of the State of New York across the five borough counties (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond). Court rules, motion calendars, and trial procedures differ significantly from other jurisdictions.
Demonstrated success in your specific legal field
Whether handling complex personal injury litigation, commercial disputes, or family matters, hire counsel with verified trial experience in NY courts.
Active standing with the NY Unified Court System
Verify that the lawyer is registered and active with the New York State Unified Court System and New York State Bar Association.
Questions to Ask in a Consultation
- 1.How many cases like mine have you handled in New York County Supreme Court or outer borough courts?
- 2.Will you personally manage my case, or will it be assigned to an associate attorney?
- 3.What is your fee structure and how are case disbursements billed?
- 4.What is the expected timeline for litigation in NYC courts?
- 5.What is the realistic outcome or settlement range for my case?
How Legal Fees Work in New York
Contingency fee
Standard in personal injury cases. Under New York court rules, personal injury contingency fees are standardly capped at 33.33% (1/3) of net recovery.
Hourly rate
Ranging from $350 to $800+ per hour in New York City depending on practice area, attorney experience, and borough location. Common in commercial law, matrimonial law, and criminal litigation.
Flat fee
Used for standardized services such as residential real estate closings, basic wills, or routine misdemeanor defense.
Red Flags
Guarantees of specific verdicts
No attorney can guarantee specific monetary verdicts or outcomes.
Undisclosed expense policies
Failure to disclose case expense policies in writing.
No active registration
Lack of active registration with the NY State Unified Court System.
High-volume practices
Firms that refuse direct attorney-client communication.
Verify an Attorney's License
Verify an attorney's registration and disciplinary standing via the New York State Unified Court System Attorney Search at nycourts.gov or through the New York State Bar Association at nysba.org.
Find a Lawyer
Common Legal Needs in New York
Browse vetted New York City attorneys by practice area. Understand what to expect and mandatory New York deadlines.
Personal Injury
If you were injured in a subway crash, vehicle collision, construction drop, sidewalk fall, or building accident in New York City, a personal injury attorney files claims for medical expenses, lost earnings, and non-economic damages.
What to expect
Your lawyer will investigate liability, file a Summons and Complaint in NY Supreme Court, handle depositions, and litigate your claim.
How long you have to file
New York generally applies a three-year limitations period to many negligence and personal-injury actions under CPLR 214. Municipal claims, wrongful death, toxic exposure, minors, and other circumstances can change the filing or notice deadline.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Family Law & Matrimonial
If you are facing divorce, child custody disputes, spousal support, or asset distribution in NYC, a family law attorney represents you in NY Supreme Court (Matrimonial Division) or Family Court.
What to expect
New York operates under equitable distribution laws. Your attorney handles marital asset valuation, custody agreements, and child support calculations under NY Child Support Standards Act guidelines.
How long you have to file
New York requires state residency (1–2 years depending on grounds) prior to filing for divorce.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Medical Malpractice
If you suffered harm due to medical error, surgical mistakes, or hospital negligence in New York, a medical malpractice lawyer files suit against negligent medical providers.
What to expect
NY CPLR § 3012-a requires a certificate of merit from a physician before filing. Your attorney conducts medical reviews and litigates in Supreme Court.
How long you have to file
New York medical-malpractice claims generally must be commenced within two years and six months under CPLR 214-a, subject to continuous-treatment, foreign-object, cancer-misdiagnosis, and other statutory rules.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Business Law & Commercial Litigation
If your company is involved in commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, contract breaches, or corporate governance matters in New York, a business litigation attorney protects your financial interests.
What to expect
Commercial litigators handle complex corporate filings, preliminary injunctions, and trials in the Commercial Division of NY Supreme Court or federal court.
How long you have to file
New York generally applies a six-year limitations period to contract actions under CPLR 213, but accrual rules and claim-specific statutes can change the deadline.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Criminal Defense
If you face criminal charges in New York City — from misdemeanor offenses to major felonies — a criminal defense attorney defends your constitutional rights.
What to expect
Defense counsel represents you at arraignment, files pre-trial motions, negotiates with district attorneys (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island DA offices), and represents you in court.
How long you have to file
Contact defense counsel immediately following an arrest or desk appearance ticket (DAT).
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
Estate Planning & Probate
If you need a last will, living trust, power of attorney, or representation in NY Surrogate's Court, an estate planning attorney structures asset transfers.
What to expect
Attorneys structure estate plans and navigate probate in New York Surrogate's Court.
How long you have to file
Execute estate plans proactively prior to incapacity.
How fees work
Fees vary by lawyer, matter, and agreement. Ask whether billing is contingency, hourly, flat-fee, retainer, statutory, or another structure, and how case costs are handled.
New York Law
What to Know About New York Law
Essential legal facts for civil and injury claims in New York State.
Statute of Limitations
Mandatory filing deadlines under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR):
| Type of Case | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Personal injury (negligence, car crashes) | 3 years |
| Medical malpractice | 2.5 years (30 months) |
| Property damage | 3 years |
| Breach of contract (written or oral) | 6 years |
| Wrongful death | 2 years |
Damage Caps
No Damage Caps
New York does not impose a single general statutory cap on compensatory damages in ordinary personal-injury or medical-malpractice cases. Recoverable categories and amounts still depend on the claim, proof, appellate review standards, and other applicable law.
Equitable Distribution
New York is not a community property state. Under NY Domestic Relations Law § 236B, marital property is divided according to equitable distribution — divided fairly based on statutory factors, not automatically 50/50.
Auto Insurance & Injury Claims
New York operates an at-fault liability system for injury lawsuits combined with mandatory No-Fault PIP insurance:
- •No-Fault Insurance: Covers initial medical bills and lost wages up to $50,000 regardless of fault.
- •Bodily Injury Lawsuits: To sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, injured parties must meet New York's "serious injury threshold" under Insurance Law § 5102(d).
Contingency Fee Caps
New York court rules regulate contingency-fee agreements and how percentages are calculated. Many personal-injury matters use contingency arrangements, but the applicable schedule, disbursements, and written-retainer terms should be reviewed for the specific representation.
Court System
Where Your Case Will Be Heard
Civil, criminal, and matrimonial cases in NYC are handled by borough court systems, while federal matters go to SDNY or EDNY.
New York State Courts (NYC Boroughs)
Civil Term (Manhattan)
New York County Supreme Court, 60 Centre St, New York, NY 10013. Handles civil lawsuits over $50,000 and matrimonial dissolution.
NY Courts ↗Criminal Term (Manhattan)
100 Centre St, New York, NY 10013.
Outer Borough Supreme Courts
Brooklyn (360 Adams St), Queens (88-11 Sutphin Blvd), Bronx (851 Grand Concourse), Staten Island (18 Richmond Terrace).
Federal Courts
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (SDNY)
Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, 500 Pearl St, New York, NY 10007. Covers Manhattan and Bronx federal civil/criminal matters.
SDNY ↗U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (EDNY)
Theodore Roosevelt U.S. Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island.
EDNY ↗Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
New York Legal Resources
NY Courts — Attorney Registration Search
Verify lawyer licensing and registration standing
New York State Bar Association
State bar resource portal
New York State Unified Court System
Court locator and filing forms
U.S. District Court — SDNY
Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court — EDNY
Eastern District of New York
Coverage Area