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Paul V. Prestia
About Paul
Biography
For over a decade, Mr. Prestia has zealously fought for the rights of his clients; defending the accused and protecting the abused. As such, Mr. Prestia has been recognized as one of the preeminent NYC attorneys in his field. In 2016 and 2017, he was selected to New York Metro Super Lawyers list by Thompson Reuters for his efforts in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. Moreover, Mr. Prestia has become one of the leading civil rights and criminal justice reform advocates in New York City speaking at 2016 American Justice Summit and at the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers during their Annual Conference in West Palm Beach this past August.
Paul Prestia lecturing at UCLA in his candid lecture series “Kaleif Browder and The Extraordinary Quest for Justice”
In addition, Mr. Prestia has addressed law students at UCLA School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, New York Law School, American University School of Law, and Miami Law School in his candid lecture series “Kalief Browder and The Extraordinary Quest for Justice”
Attorney Paul Prestia on Huff Post Live talking about the Kalief Browder case.
Mr. Prestia has provided legal commentary on MSNBC, CNN, and Huff Post Live and his cases have been covered
by The New Yorker Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times.,The NY Daily News and The New York Post. In March 2017 Mr. Prestia will be featured as himself in the Spike TV docuseries ‘Time: The Kalief Browder Story’.
Mr. Prestia is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and in the Southern and Eastern Districts in Federal Court 2nd Circuit. He received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law and began his legal career as a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Civil Rights
50%
21 years
Criminal Defense
30%
26 years
DUI and DWI
10%
11 years
Federal Crime
10%
11 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 27 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
The Prestia Law Firm
40 Wall St., 28th Fl, New York, NY, 10005
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Paul V. Prestia's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
17 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Nona | July 27, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Phenomenal Lawyer
I have known Mr. Paul Prestia for quiet sometime now (over 20 years) . He has handled all of my cases and has helped me with cases for my family, significant other and friends. He has never lost one for me yet and has always went above and beyond with assisting me with anything that I need. He is att...
Paul V. Prestia's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Call Paul if your civil rights were violated, he can help!"
"Paul is a tenacious advocate, who cares deeply about his clients, and does his utmost to ensure their best interests are always protected. I've had the privilege to work with him on several matters and endorse him without reservation."
"I have known Paul Prestia for over 15 years. He is a talented attorney and zealous advocate. I recommend him without reservation."
"Attorney Prestia is a zealous, knowledgable, and passionate advocate who cares deeply for his clients. He is well respected in the community of criminal defense and civil rights lawyers. I strongly recommend him to anyone needing legal representation."
"I have known Attorney Prestia since 1999 when he was a prosecutor at the Brooklyn DA. He combines the perfect combination of experience, sophisticated negotiation skills, and aggressive representation to get the best possible results for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Excellent advocate, highly recommended attorney...one of the BEST!"
"Mr. Prestia is one of the people I depend on if I have any questions regarding civil rights violations or any complicated criminal or immigration matters in New York. He is a very personable and reliable person and always makes himself available to clients or colleagues in need of assistance. He goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that he is reasonable and always gets his clients the best possible results. I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Prestia is a dedicated and determined advocate and has a remarkable record of successful verdicts on behalf of his clients in the areas of criminal defense, civil rights violations and immigration law. I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone seeking legal assistance in these practice areas seek his council."
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Experience
Honors
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 20 Most Popular Interviews of 2014, Democracy Now!
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Attorney, The Prestia Law Firm, PLLC
1999 - 2002
Prosecuting Attorney, Kings Country (Brooklyn) District Attorney
1999 - 2002
Assistant District Attorney, Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney
Associations
2014 - Present
New York County Lawyers' Associationcivil rights committee
Colombian Lawyers Association
Sample of Legal Cases
pot charges dismissed
charges dropped ny daily news
Queens mom, daughter suing NYPD for $1 million over gun-in-oven arrest
Just-revealed blunders in 2014 coke bust throw detective's credibility into question
Cops Acted like Dildopes
NY DAILY NEWS
Kalief Browder v. The City of NY
US v. Francisco Picado
Education
1998
St John's University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
State University of New York, College at Geneseo
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
UCLA Law School
The Extraordinary Quest For Justice
2015
Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell
Problems at Rikers Island
2015
Inside City Hall
Explosive Rikers Videos
2015
Huff Post Live
Riker Reform
2015
Huff Post Lice- Marc Lamont Hill
COmmentary on Explosive Rikers Videos
2015
2015
Congressional Briefing
Criminal Justice Reform
2015
All In With Chris Hayes
Kalief Browder Commits Suicide
2014
FIOS1 News
RIKERS ISLAND
2014
Democracy Now
Solitary Confinment
2014
2013
Huffington Post Live
Jailed without Conviction
Publications
2015
Opportunity lives
Attorney interview
2015
2015
NY Daily News
Kalief Browder Dies Days before court appearance
2015
The Marshall Project
Bail reform
2014
New Yorker Magazine
Before The Law
2012
THE NEW YORK TIMES
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE TWICE STOLEN MOTORCYCLES
2010
Languages
Spanish
Italian
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What exactly does that mean? Can the cops see that at a later date? Who, if anyone, can?
15 Sep 2023
Q&A
How long do i have to file a civil suit against the police officers
12 Jun 2012
Q&A
Can charges be dropped before your court date?
15 May 2012