Litigation

The firm's objective with respect to litigation matters is to aggressively represent the client's overall interests and deliver quality representation at a competitive price. We believe that the client's best interests are served by a thorough initial investigation and evaluation of the merits of the case. The firm aggressively seeks summary judgment when appropriate and recommends early settlement in those situations which represent a significant financial or business exposure to the client.

Criminal Practice

The firm’s primary experience is in the field of Federal and State criminal defense. Each partner has over 25 years experience in the field of criminal law and received their training in the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan District Attorneys’ Offices. For over 17 years, each partner has handled all aspects of criminal defense work from simple misdemeanor cases in Criminal Court to major felonies including death penalty cases in Supreme Court. In addition, the partners have represented numerous clients in Federal Court ranging from Grand Jury appearances to major Drug Conspiracy cases, Racketeering Influenced Corruption Organizations (RICO) matters and white collar crimes involving Bank Fraud, Stock Fraud, Commodities Fraud, Tax Evasion and Labor Union Corruption. The firm’s experience is primarily in the field of trial work but employs of counsel attorneys to assist in motion and appellate practice in complex cases.

Education Law

The firm is General Counsel to the Mount Vernon City School District in Westchester County. The Mount Vernon School District consists of eleven (11) schools with a student population of over 11,000. It is the second largest school district in Westchester County and the school district’s annual budget of $195,000,000 is about twice the size of the municipal budget. The firm began representing the Mount Vernon School District in 1997 and has provided legal advice across a wide spectrum including defending the school district from personal injury claims brought against it, negotiating labor contracts for administrators, teachers and custodial staff, negotiating health care contracts, and working with the business manager to improve the financial soundness of the district.

The firm also represents the school district with respect to construction projects. In 1998, the voters approved a bond referendum authorizing the expenditure of over $100,000,000 to build two new schools in the district and completely renovate the existing buildings. The firm attorneys were actively involved in all aspects of the bond passage including negotiating contracts with the construction manager (Turner/Luster) as well as a consortium of architects selected to work on the design plans.

Under the direction of the then superintendent, Ronald Ross, the Mount Vernon School District was cited as one of the most improved school districts in New York State. In 2001, the New York Times wrote an article citing the improvement in the education and financial affairs of the Mount Vernon City School District. This improvement came despite Mount Vernon being considered a “poor cousin” among Westchester communities which typically spend more than double the amount per student as Mount Vernon. The firm has been praised by former superintendent, Ronald Ross, and current superintendent, Brenda Smith, as well as the Trustees of the School Board for providing first rate legal representation and for going above and beyond what attorneys ordinarily do.

Real Estate

Firm attorneys have extensive real estate experience including purchases and sales of residential and commercial properties. Currently, the firm represents two condominium boards in Queens County as well as real estate management companies. Firm attorneys have developed, drafted and negotiated commercial leases with companies such as McDonalds, New York Sports Clubs, Dunkin Donuts, Genovese Drug Stores, Eckerd Drugs, Rite Aid, Citibank, Dolphin Fitness and Sleepy’s.

Civil Practice

Firm attorneys have handled civil litigation matters ranging from simple premises liability, slip and fall personal injury cases and motor vehicle accident cases to general commercial litigation and construction claims. Institutional clients represented have included Fortune 100 manufacturing firms, New York State Liquidation Bureau, national insurance carriers, major city school district, an international accounting firm, public utilities, leading hospitals, telecommunications firms, a major university, a private boarding school and engineering and construction firms.

Civil Rights and Constitutional Law The firm has experience in handling Section 1983 claims involving police abuse of power, right to privacy, substantive and procedural due process and equal protection claims. Firm members have represented management before the State Department of Human Rights as well as prosecuting individual constitutional claims in state and federal courts.

Associations and Affiliations

Firm attorneys are actively involved in a variety of civic and professional organizations including the New York State Bar Association, Queens County Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Columbian Lawyers Association, Columbus Citizens Foundation, the Urban League and the NAACP.

The firm is well-positioned to deliver a wide range of legal services to its clients. The unique combination of education, business, legal experience and local commitment that this firm possesses sets it apart from other firms. The firm takes the time to understand the client's needs and goals and then assists in the development of an effective action plan. No individual or organization can guarantee success, but AIELLO & CANNICK does guarantee the pursuit of excellence.

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