Insight

The 2021 Best Lawyers in New York Area

Featuring the top legal talent in the New York area.

Cover title photo The 2021 Best Lawyers in New York Area
Best Lawyers

Written by Best Lawyers

Published: December 11, 2020

The 2021 New York Area's Best Lawyers publication includes more than 6,000 of the region's top-ranked legal talent as well as the inaugural appearance of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in print.

For this publication, we have two cover stories. In one, we featured personal injury firm Block O’Toole & Murphy. Firm founder Jeffrey Block and partner Daniel O’Toole discussed how technology has allowed them to continue their success in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the next cover story, we interviewed trial lawyer Benedict Morelli. He shared with us a lawsuit against Live Nation after the plaintiff was seriously injured on the job while putting together a two-level booth structure.

Homelessness is an ongoing problem in New York City, worsened by the pandemic. We spoke to three Best lawyers-recognized attorneys to discuss the growing homelessness rate and what can be done to solve the issue.

Read the full issue:

2021 New York Area's Best Lawyers cover

Learn More About:

Best Lawyers

New York

Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Related Articles

The Best Lawyers in Canada 2027: Recognizing the Nation's Top Legal Talent


by Jamilla Tabbara

Honoring established leaders and rising practitioners across Canada's legal profession.

3D model of Canada textured with the Canadian flag.

2027 Best Lawyers Awards: Honoring Excellence in the Legal Profession


by Jamilla Tabbara

Recognizing the outstanding attorneys leading top practice areas nationwide.

United States with American flag representing The Best Lawyers in America 2027 awards

How Peer Review Works: Best Lawyers Methodology Explained


by Jamilla Tabbara

Understanding the independent, data-driven framework that defines professional legal standing.

A glowing professional icon surrounded by incoming arrows, symbolizing data collection and feedback.

Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore


by Jamilla Tabbara

Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.

Illustrated maps of Australia, Japan and Singapore displayed with their national flags, representing

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Canada: Marking 20 Years of Excellence


by Jamilla Tabbara

Honoring Canada’s most respected lawyers and spotlighting the next generation shaping the future of law.

Shining Canadian map marking the 2026 Best Lawyers awards coverage

How Best Lawyers Connects You With Trusted Legal Counsel


by Jennifer Verta

Discover how Best Lawyers simplifies the attorney search process.

A focused woman with dark hair wearing a green top and beige blazer, working on a tablet in a dimly

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Discover The Best Lawyers in Spain 2025 Edition


by Jennifer Verta

Highlighting Spain’s leading legal professionals and rising talents.

Flags of Spain, representing Best Lawyers country

Best Lawyers Through the Ages: Our Past. Our Today. Our Future.


by Best Lawyers

With over 168,000 recognized legal professionals across 150 practice areas in 76 countries, Best Lawyers remains the original trusted source for legal awards.

Skyscrapers against evening sky with water

Unveiling the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa


by Jennifer Verta

Best Lawyers celebrates the finest in law, reaffirming its commitment to the global legal community.

Flags of Brazil, Mexico, Portugal and South Africa, representing Best Lawyers countries

Presenting the 2025 Best Lawyers Editions in Chile, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico


by Jennifer Verta

Celebrating top legal professionals in South America and the Caribbean.

Flags of Puerto Rico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru, representing countries featured in the Best Lawyers

When Can Ones to Watch Lawyers Be Nominated for Best Lawyers?


by Elizabeth Petit

Transitioning from Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch to Best Lawyers recognition.

Arrow symbolizing Ones to Watch Lawyers transitioning to Best Lawyers

2025 Best Lawyers Awards Announced: Honoring Outstanding Legal Professionals Across the U.S.


by Jennifer Verta

Introducing the 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America and the fifth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Digital map of the United States illuminated by numerous bright lights.

The Inaugural Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada


by Justin Smulison

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Canada's inaugural edition is here. We talk with Kristen Greer, Best Lawyers Senior Research Manager, on the prestige of these awards.

Man with a red shirt standing on a compass with a telescope

Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers® in the United States


by Best Lawyers

The results include an elite field of top lawyers listed in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and in the 2nd Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2022.

The flag of the United States of America

Trending Articles

What AI Visibility Means for Lawyers


by Bryan Driscoll and Josh Rupall

AI tools increasingly interpret lawyers public information. Clear, consistent and credible sources help ensure they describe legal expertise accurately.

AI dashboard visualizing a lawyer's online profile, reputation, and practice information across mult

The Best Lawyers in Canada 2027: Recognizing the Nation's Top Legal Talent


by Jamilla Tabbara

Honoring established leaders and rising practitioners across Canada's legal profession.

3D model of Canada textured with the Canadian flag.

Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore


by Jamilla Tabbara

Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.

Illustrated maps of Australia, Japan and Singapore displayed with their national flags, representing

2027 Best Lawyers Awards: Honoring Excellence in the Legal Profession


by Jamilla Tabbara

Recognizing the outstanding attorneys leading top practice areas nationwide.

United States with American flag representing The Best Lawyers in America 2027 awards

Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case


by Jamilla Tabbara

Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.

Portrait photos of Elon Musk and Sam Altman positioned in front of the OpenAI logo.

Announcing the 2027 Best Lawyers Awards: Austria, Germany and Switzerland


by Jamilla Tabbara

Celebrating the legal professionals throughout Central Europe.

Graphic displaying three-dimensional map cutouts of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement


by Grace Greer

A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.

Split-screen image of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

The Best Lawyers in France 2027: Peer-Reviewed Excellence


by Jamilla Tabbara

Seventeen editions of peer trust, a growing profession and a dynamic legal market.

3D Map of France with National Flag Graphic

New England's Climate Litigation Surge


by Bryan Driscoll

What law firms need to know

New England's Climate Litigation Surge: What Firms Must Know headline

What Is a Quitclaim Deed? Uses, Risks and When to Get Help


by Bryan Driscoll

A quitclaim deed can be one of the fastest ways to transfer property but knowing when it's the right tool and when it isn't, can save you from serious legal and financial headaches down the road.

One hand holding a wooden house model and another holding house keys.

Rules on Gifting Money to Family: What to Know


by Bryan Driscoll

Generosity often runs ahead of paperwork. Here's how to give to loved ones without surprising the IRS, your estate plan or your relationships.

An open gift box filled with US $100 bills next to a lid tied with a red bow.

An Employee's Guide to Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA)


by Bryan Driscoll

Before you sign anything, here's what you need to know about non-disclosure agreements.

Figure stands before an open giant book, holding a large key, facing a keyhole on the inner page.

How to Optimize Your Best Lawyers Profile for AI Search


by Everett Sizemore

Learn how a complete, well-structured Best Lawyers profile can strengthen your visibility and accuracy across AI search platforms.

A laptop screen displaying the Best Lawyers profile dashboard showing customizable sections.

Who Can Override a Power of Attorney?


by Bryan Driscoll

A power of attorney carries real legal authority, but it isn't absolute. Here's who can step in to revoke, restrict or set it aside.

Close-up of a power of attorney document, symbolizing legal authority, revocation rights, guardiansh

Best Lawyers Launches ChatGPT App


by Jennifer Verta

Expanding Trusted Legal Guidance Into AI-Driven Search

A glowing digital network overlay on a person typing on a laptop, representing AI in legal search.

Turn Client Questions Into Content That AI Search Can Find


by Bryan Driscoll and Manny Candal

Client questions are becoming search inputs. Your firm’s content should answer them clearly.

Pile of question marks with a single bright yellow question mark in the center, representing search.
Smithy AI Tap to expand

Welcome to Smithy AI the Best Lawyers Assistant

I can help you find attorneys, compare firms, explore practice areas, and surface rankings curated from the Best Lawyers methodology.

Not legal advice This assistant provides general information only. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
Learn about Best Lawyers Research Process
Suggested prompts
Chat limit reached
You've reached the message limit for this chat. To keep exploring, browse Best Lawyers directly or come back later to start a fresh conversation.
Browse Best Lawyers