I am an experienced trial lawyer and litigator, with over 200 jury trials to verdict over four decades. I am AV Peer Rated ("Preeminent") by Martindale-Hubbell®, have been designated as a Superlawyer by Super Lawyers®, and rated "Superb" by Avvo.com. I am General Counsel to my firm. My police, investigative and prosecutorial background enable me effectively to explore the factual background of my cases in preparation for trial or negotiation. My firm has been extremely successful in property-based and commercial litigation, offering clients cost-effective and vigorous representation with substantial client input in strategic and tactical decisions.
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Colin E. Kaufman concentrates in trial work and litigation, primarily commercial, tort and real estate-related. Kaufman has been in practice for thirty years, all of it in litigation. Kaufman received his undergraduate degree from Trinity College and his law degree from Fordham University Law School. He has instructed in trial preparation and trial advocacy for the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services Basic Prosecutors' Course, Bureau of Municipal Police Training School, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Special Prosecutor's Office and Lorman Educational Services. He has authored or coauthored several manuals for trial lawyers. After graduating from Trinity College, Kaufman was a military policeman in the U.S. and in Vietnam. His combat decorations during his service with the 4th Infantry Division include two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals. After his return from Vietnam, Kaufman was a corruption investigator with the Office of the New York State Special Prosecutor. In addition to investigative work Kaufman ran the Special Prosecutor’s Intelligence Unit until leaving to become a prosecutor with the Westchester District Attorney’s Office. Kaufman spent nine years with the Westchester District Attorney, rising to Chief of the General Trial Bureau. During his tenure there, in addition to trials and training of trial lawyers, Kaufman participated in several thousand prosecutions. Since leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Kaufman has been engaged in the private practice of law. His litigation and trial work has covered a substantial breadth, ranging from products liability to mining disasters to international contracts. He was co-lead counsel in the first case tried to verdict in the United States under the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods. He has tried over two hundred cases to verdict in state and federal courts. Mr. Kaufman’s reported appellate cases include: Garay v. National Grange Mutual Insurance Co., 117 Fed. Appx. 785 (2d Cir. 2004); Murphy v. Sawmill Construction Corp., 17 A.D.3d 422, 792 N.Y.S. 2d 616 (2d Dept. 2005); Poughkeepsie Chevrolet, Inc. v. Jeff Weaver’s 96 Hour Super Sale, Inc., 8 A.D. 3d 575, 779 N.Y.S. 2d 512 (2d Dept. 2004) Mulhern v. Chai Management, 309 A.D. 2d 995, 765 N.Y.S. 2d 694 (3d Dept. 2003); Marquise Collection, Inc. v. M.A.S. Textiles Corp., 239 A.D.2d 470, 657 N.Y.S.2d 207 (2d Dept.1997); and Cippolone v. City of White Plains, 181 A.D. 2d 887, 581 N.Y.S. 2d 421 (2d Dept. 1992).
