Jonathan M Bernstein

Jonathan M. Bernstein, a partner in the firm's Albany office, concentrates his practice in municipal liability, general litigation, professional liability, aviation law, land use and zoning, appellate advocacy, and defending civil rights and employment discrimination suits.

One of the preeminent municipal liability and employment law practitioners in New York State, Jon has defended counties, towns, cities, town boards, government agencies, mayors, and other elected officials in municipal liability, employment and labor, and civil rights matters. He has handled labor and employment matters before the New York State Division of Human Rights, the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), and the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC). Jon has extensive experience defending municipalities in Article 78 proceedings where the petitioner is seeking to challenge government action, such as in land use and zoning decisions, and also frequently handles responses to Freedom of Information Law requests. He has also represented police and corrections officers in civil rights suits in federal and state courts. He is Chair of the Law Enforcement Sub-Committee of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) Government Liability Committee. Also experienced in education law and in the employment and civil rights law concerns distinct to the field of education, Jon has successfully represented school districts, charter schools, and school officials.

Jon's considerable professional liability experience includes representing accountants and lawyers in malpractice lawsuits. In addition, he handles personal injury claims for the world's largest airline, and has handled personal injury matters involving construction sites for many employers throughout New York State.

Jon has handled appeals for matters including civil rights, employment, and personal injury before the New York Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and frequently serves as appellate counsel during trial. He has also tried cases to verdict in state and federal court.

Before joining Goldberg Segalla, Jon served as a confidential clerk for the New York Court of Appeals from 2002 to 2004.

Jon is the editor of Goldberg Segalla's Government Liability, Civil Rights, and Labor and Employment newsletter.