My practice consists of trial, appellate and post-conviction matters, in all military courts as well as New York State courts. I also do federal appellate cases. I have been handling criminal, constitutional and military matters since 1975. I spent 5 years on active duty as an AF JAG, with 2 tours as a defense counsel. I then spent 22 years in the AF Reserves. I also spent 11 years in the Public Defender's violent felony bureau. I have tried over 225 cases, military and civilian.
Practice areas
45 years, 500 cases
46 years, 5,000 cases
46 years, 100 cases
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY | Due to Register within 30 Days of Birthday | 1989 | 05/25/2021 |
| OH | Inactive | 1975 | 04/18/2021 |
| Legal answers | 197 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential Commendation | National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 2010 |
| President's Commendation | NY State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 2010 |
| Leaders in Law | "Daily Record," Rochester, NY | 2009 |
| President's Commendation | N/A | 2007 |
| President's Commendation | N/A | 2006 |
| President's Certificate of Appreciation | National Ass'n of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Thurgood Marshall Criminal Defense Practitioner of the Year | N/A | 2005 |
| President's Commendation | N/A | 2005 |
| President's Certificate of Appreciation | National Ass'n of Criminal Defense Lawyers | 2005 |
| "Padilla v. Rumsfeld" Amicus Curiae Award | N/A | 2004 |
| President's Commendation | N/A | 2000 |
| Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC) | N/A | 1996 |
| Air Mobility Command, Reserve Judge Advocate of the Year | U.S. Air Force, Air Mobility Command | 1995 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | Brenna, Brenna & Boyce, PLLC | 2000 - 2017 |
| Attorney | Law Office of Lonny H. Dolin | 1996 - 2000 |
| Attorney | Monroe County (NY) Public Defenders Office | 1985 - 1996 |
| Attorney | Law Offices of Joel S. Cohen | 1981 - 1985 |
| Captain | U.S. Air Force, JAGC | 1976 - 1981 |
| Attorney | Law Office of John B. Banks | 1975 - 1976 |
|---|
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NY State Academy of Trial Lawyers | Member | 2007 - Present |
| NY State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Co-Chair, CLE Committee | 2000 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Co-Chair, Military Law Committee | 2000 - Present |
| New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1990 - Present |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1989 - Present |
| NY State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Board of Directors | 2009 - 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Vice President | 2003 - 2007 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL) | Prosecutorial Misconduct and Negligence: Tactics for the Trenches | 2017 |
| Parameters, Journal of the U.S. Army War College | The General Stanley McChrystal Affair: A Case Study in Civil-Military Relations | 2012 |
| NYSACDL | Defending a Child Sex Abuse Case | 2011 |
| NYSACDL | Looking At and Challenging Search Warrants | 2011 |
| NYSACDL CLE | The NEW Rules of Professional Conduct: Damning the Defense Bar | 2009 |
| Colorado Criminal Defense Bar | The Intersection of Military and Civilian Law | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| NYSACDL CLE | NY's New Rules of Professional Responsibility | 2009 |
| NYSACDL CLE | "S.A.F.E." ("S.A.N.E.") INSANITY: Beyond The Smoke and Mirrors - Defense of a Child Sex Abuse Case. | 2008 |
| NACDL CLE Publications | Ethical Dilemmas for Judge Advocates: How to Do the Right Thing (Especially at Crime Scenes) | 2007 |
| NYSACDL CLE | Ethics 101 | 2006 |
| NYSACDL CLE | Ethics 101: The Basics of Engagement Letters and Retainer Agreements | 2005 |
| Canadian Bar Association | United States Military Commissions: Thoughts and Observations from a Criminal Defense Practitioner on the Issues Surrounding Military Commission “Trials” for the Guantanamo Bay Prisoners, | 2004 |
| Mississippi Public Defender's Association | Confronting Cameras in the Courtroom: Another Challenge for the Defense. . . | 2003 |
| Federal Public Defender CLE | Military Commissions: A Primer for Defense Counsel | 2003 |
| NYSACDL CLE | Cops and Chemists: Cross-Examination in a Drug Case | 2002 |
| Plenum Press | The Practice of Forensic Neuropsychology (Chap 7): Neuropsychology In Criminal Proceedings | 1997 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Capital University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1975 |
| Capital University in Columbus, Ohio | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1972 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Placid / North Country Spring CLE | Prosecutorial Misconduct and Negligence: Tactics for the Trenches | 2017 |
| Syracuse Law School, CLE | Looking At and Challenging Search Warrants | 2011 |
| Ithaca, NY, CLE | Defending a Child Sex Abuse Case | 2011 |
| Syracuse Law School, CLE | The “New” A,B,C’s: A Defense Primer on Alcohol, Breath and Confrontation After Melendez-Diaz | 2010 |
| Wayne County (NY) Criminal Defense Bar Update | NY's New Rules of Professional Responsibility | 2009 |
| Syracuse Annual Defense Counsel Trainer | Ethics | 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Cross To Kill - NYSACDL CLE | Defense of a Child Sex Abuse Case | 2008 |
| NACDL Mid-Winter Meeting and CLE | Ethics and Defense Trial Practice | 2007 |
| A Study In Ethics: Crime Scenes, Sherlock Holmes and Defense Counsel's Obligations | Trial Practice and Ethics | 2006 |
| Making Moving Motions: Cerebration in an Age of Idiots | Criminal Defense | 2005 |
| Canadian Bar Association - Annual Meeting | U.S. Military Commissions | 2004 |
| A Few Good Captives: The Case of Guantanamo Bay | Enemy Combatants and Military Commissions | 2004 |
| Is the 'War on Terrorism' Killing Our Constitution? | Constitutional Law | 2003 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Jose Padilla v. Rumsfeld | Released from incommunicado military confinement |
| Hamdan v. Rumsfeld | Military Commissions at GTMO are illegal |
Posted by Debbie Kramer
Wed Sep 23 2009
Posted by anonymous
Wed Jun 20 2007
Posted by anonymous
Wed Jun 20 2007
Anthony Tuorto, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 3, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Christopher Leroi, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 5, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Mr. Rehkopf is an outstanding and excellent attorney. I would recommend anyone and everyone to him for his services. I have been practicing for 24 years as a judge, magistrate, law professor, private attorney, and prosecutor, and I learn from his answers on Avvo every day. Simply an exemplary attorney.
Robert Wells, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 17, 2013
Relationship: Friend
I endorse this lawyer. Erudition, practicality and compassion are in equal balance in this highly skilled advocate.
William Cassara, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 12, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Don for years. One of the best military and criminal defense lawyers there is.
Philip Cave, Military law Attorney on May 7, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. We have worked together on cases, have consulted each other on issues, and have observed each others work over the years. He is an excellent lawyer to have on your side whether at a court-martial trial, or on appeal. Very responsive and easy to work with!
Duane Kees, Military law Attorney on Dec 29, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mr. Rehkopf is a skilled and brilliant attorney
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 22, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Donald. He is a top notch trial attorney with a long track record of exceptional results.
Lawrence Kasperek, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 2, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. Don is one of those extraordinary individuals that you rarely fine in life. He is devoted to his clients and the law. He has the insight and dedication to advance issues and the integrity to do so professionally. I recommend him in the highest degree.
Terri Zimmermann, Military law Attorney on Jan 14, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Don is without a doubt one of the most intelligent, dedicated, and all-around great lawyers I have ever met. He works tirelessly to protect the rights of his clients and the criminal justice system in general. I don't think he knows what a "day off" is. On top of that, he has a kind and engaging personality. Truly an expert in his field. Clients needing assistance in this area would be wise to hire Don.
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