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
filing civil rights actions in state and federal court for clients who have been victims of false arrest, malicious prosecution, police brutality, corrections abuses, and/or solitary confinement and other constitutional violations
17 years
vigorously defend clients accused of committing state and federal crimes in the NYC area, including but not limited to: DWI, DUI, domestic violence, gun possession, drug possession & sale; larceny, fraud, identity theft, sex crimes
22 years
7 years
7 years
Languages spoken
Spanish, Italian
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NY | Currently registered | 1999 | 02/24/2022 |
Legal answers | 13 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Super Lawyer | SuperLawyers | 2017 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
Top 20 Most Popular Interviews of 2014 | Democracy Now! | 2014 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | The Prestia Law Firm, PLLC | 2003 - Present |
Prosecuting Attorney | Kings Country (Brooklyn) District Attorney | 1999 - 2002 |
Assistant District Attorney | Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney | 1999 - 2002 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
New York County Lawyers' Association | civil rights committee | 2014 - Present |
Colombian Lawyers Association | N/A |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
NY Daily News | Queens mom, daughter suing NYPD for $1 million over gun-in-oven arrest | 2015 |
Opportunity lives | Attorney interview | 2015 |
NY Daily News | Kalief Browder Dies Days before court appearance | 2015 |
The Marshall Project | Bail reform | 2015 |
NY Post | The Tragedy Of Kalief Browder must never happen again | 2015 |
New Yorker Magazine | Before The Law | 2014 |
THE NEW YORK TIMES | THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE TWICE STOLEN MOTORCYCLES | 2012 |
ny post | ordeal of wrong guy in bronx rape | 2010 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
St John's University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1998 |
State University of New York, College at Geneseo | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1995 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
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 |
HPL | Kalief Browder commits suicide | 2015 |
Congressional Briefing | Criminal Justice Reform | 2015 |
All In With Chris Hayes | Kalief Browder Commits Suicide | 2015 |
FIOS1 News | RIKERS ISLAND | 2014 |
Democracy Now | Solitary Confinment | 2014 |
ABC | The Kalief Browder Story | 2014 |
Huffington Post Live | Jailed without Conviction | 2013 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
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 |
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October 1, 2017
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Amanda Chiarello, Unknown Attorney on Apr 5, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Nicholas Mindicino, Civil rights Attorney on Mar 28, 2019
Relationship: Co-worker
Call Paul if your civil rights were violated, he can help!
Amanda Chiarello, Unknown Attorney on Apr 5, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Nicholas Mindicino, Civil rights Attorney on Mar 28, 2019
Relationship: Co-worker
Call Paul if your civil rights were violated, he can help!
Russell Araya, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 19, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
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.
Adam Covitt, Civil rights Attorney on Mar 25, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Paul Prestia for over 15 years. He is a talented attorney and zealous advocate. I recommend him without reservation.
Maryam Jahedi, Unknown Attorney on Jan 12, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
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.
Gregory Zenon, Civil rights Attorney on Apr 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Wilson LaFaurie, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 26, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Excellent advocate, highly recommended attorney...one of the BEST!
Daniel Serratelli, Civil rights Attorney on Oct 12, 2012
Relationship: Friend
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.
Frank Prestia, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 28, 2012
Relationship: Family member
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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