Richard S. Pakola

Richard S. Pakola

also known as Rick Pakola, Richard Stephen Pakola

5.0
Rating: 8.8

Licensed for 30 years

Civil rights Lawyer at Bardonia, NY
Practice Areas: Civil Rights, Estate Planning, Wills & Living Wills ... +3 more

521 Route 304, Bardonia, NY

About Richard

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Civil Rights 20%

18 years | 12 cases

20%
Criminal Defense 5%

I represent clients facing all forms of criminal or disciplinary charges, to include DWIs, drug charges, sex offenses, assault, shoplifting, and harassment cases. I practice in New York state courts, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts. I also have substantial experience in military courts-martial, Article 15s and discharge boards. Further, I handle all levels of criminal charges, trial level cases as well as appeals.

28 years | 650 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 375-425 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in New York for 30 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1995

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 30 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1995

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

Richard S. Pakola, Esq.

521 Route 304, Bardonia, NY, 10954

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Richard S. Pakola's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

2 Client Reviews

5 star (2)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Kathy | August 1, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

How To Resolve Having A Family Member With No Will

Rick was the greatest gift in the field of Law ! Unfortunately my sister died and she did not have a Will ! Rick always told me different steps to take to Legally take control of my sister ! It was an extremely long process but when you are working with Rick you are in Great Hands ! Rick was a...n expert in his field and he helped me resolve my problems ! It’s a long process but he lets you know exactly how to take the next step and keeps you updated on everything ! On a scale of 1-10 he is A 12 or Higher !

Posted by Kathy | June 2, 2022 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

MY GUARDIANSHIP ANGEL

Richard --Made my life 100% better and resolved all my problems and KNOWS the law. I was placed in a very DIFFICULT situation because my sister was deem unable to take care of herself. She had NO Will or Power of Attorney paperwork done and was placed in a nursing home after being hospitalized ...Even though everyone was telling her to prepare her legal paperwork She always said --I am NOT going anywhere ! Thank goodness I met Mr Pakola. He is so personable and kind He knew how to get me Guardianship of My sister's estate-set up paperwork and prepared me extremely well versed for the court hearing so there was NO need to worry. He goes well beyond his job --even calling me on the day of trial to ask if I had any questions or concerns ! If I could place 10 Stars I would !

See All Client Reviews

Richard S. Pakola's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Brian Howard Berkowitz headshot
Brian Berkowitz

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Richard Pakola for many years. During this time, I have found him to be an excellent and dedicated lawyer who is respected by both the bench and bar. It is for these reasons and more that I am proud to endorse attorney Richard Pakola."

Christopher Richard Skrypack headshot
Christopher Skrypack

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse Richard for the superior services he provides to his clients’ criminal matters. His tenacity to vigorously advocate for his clients is only exceeded by his superior knowledge of the law."

View All Endorsements
Brian Howard Berkowitz headshot
Brian Berkowitz

Unknown lawyer

Denise Ann Sullivan headshot
Denise Sullivan

General practice lawyer

Christopher Richard Skrypack headshot
Christopher Skrypack

Real estate lawyer

John Samuel Edwards headshot
John Edwards

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.8 (Excellent)

Honors

2004

Highest Honors, George Washington University Law School

2001

Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, 5th Air Force, Yokota Air Base, Japan

1994

Dean's List, Fordham University School of Law

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Judge, Village of West Haverstraw

2015 - Present

Solo Practitioner, Law Office of Richard S. Pakola, PLLC

2015 - Present

Of Counsel, Law Office of William F. Smith, Esq.

2008 - Present

Deputy Town Attorney, Town Of Orangetown

2007 - 2015

Associate, Gribetz & Loewenberg, PLLC

1996 - 2006

Judge Advocate General (JAG), U.S. Air Force

Associations

2007 - Present

Rockland County Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. E.V. - Final Parole Revocation Hearing

Violations dismissed, client restored to parole supervision.

Johnston v. Town of Orangetown, 526 Fed.Appx. 39

Won appeal.

In the Matter of Ivan Erchak - Refusal Hearing Appeal

Client's driver's license revoked at Refusal Hearing. Obtained a stay of the revocation so client could continue to drive pending appeal. Appealed matter and won.

People v. Gilmer Martinez-Mazariegos

Client indicted on two counts of First Degree Rape. Tried two week trial, resulting in deadlocked jury. Successfully negotiated resolution where client plead to Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a non-SORA registerable offense.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2004

George Washington University School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws

1994

Fordham University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1989

University of Pennsylvania

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2006

JASOC, Class of 2006

Environmental Law in the Air Force

2005

MAJCOM Conference

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Issues

2005

MAJCOM Conference

FOIA and Air Force Environmental Documents

2005

JASOC, Class 2005

Environmental Law in the Air Force

Publications

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution