Benjamin Brafman

John M. Desmarais is the founding partner of Desmarais LLP. In 1988, after graduating from NYU Law School, Mr. Desmarais started his career at Fish & Neave. Then, after practicing in the area of intellectual property litigation and counseling for several years, he left private practice to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where for three years (1992-1995) he tried criminal jury trials for the federal government. After leaving the government...

Jeffrey R. Metz is a partner at Adam Leitman Bailey, P.C . and Chief of the firm’s Appellate Bureau in New York, New York. Since becoming a partner in 2009, Mr. Metz has represented clients in significant New York real estate and real property matters involving residential and commercial disputes. His practice focuses on Real Estate Law , including appellate litigation , complex motion practice, and real property disputes. Mr. Metz has prepared and argued more than 400 appeals, with app...

Martin L. Schmelkin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Martin L. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Martin L. Schmelkin since 2017. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Martin L. Schmelkin is held by other lawyers.

Donald A. Goldsmith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Donald A. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Donald A. Goldsmith since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Donald A. Goldsmith is held by other lawyers.

Scott A. Resnik is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Scott A. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Scott A. Resnik since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Scott A. Resnik is held by other lawyers.

A founding partner of Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, LLP, Barry Berkman received his B.A. degree from Harvard College and his law degree from Stanford University. Specializing in matrimonial law and mediation, he has guided many of his clients to successful, highly satisfactory out-of-court resolutions through the collaborative law process or mediation. He has served on the American Bar Association Task Force on Standards of Practice for Divorce Mediation and has been a member of the Matr...

Gordon Mehler is a white-collar criminal and civil litigator who has over 30 years of experience as a lawyer. This includes more than a decade as a federal prosecutor, where he supervised public corruption cases as Chief of Special Prosecutions. After serving as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., Mr. Mehler moved back to New York to open his own firm in 2000. Mehler Law concentrates on all aspects of white-collar criminal defense as well as regu...

Ronald Kornreich is a partner in Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group and a member of Akerman’s Chambers USA - nationally recognized Hospitality Sector Team . He is a highly versatile transactional lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience representing clients in a wide range of commercial transactions, including acquisitions, joint ventures, financings, license agreements, and general real estate and corporate matters. Ron advises his clients on all facets of hospitality i...

Elise M. Bloom is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Sports Law. Elise M. practices law in New York, New York Best Lawyers has recognized Elise M. Bloom since 2010. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Elise M. Bloom is held by other lawyers.

David Donahue brings the benefit of his extensive courtroom experience when advising clients on protection and enforcement issues relating to copyright, trademark, unfair competition, right of publicity, design patent, and related commercial matters. His commercial litigation experience also informs his approach to negotiating and drafting commercial agreements involving intellectual property matters. David’s deep litigation experience includes successes in federal and state trial and a...