Stephen Bergstein

Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated civil rights lawyer situated in Orange County, New York. Practice concentrated in employment discrimination (including sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination and wrongful discharge) as well as constitutional issues (including First Amendment, due process and whistleblower protection). Extensive experience litigating claims from administrative level to appellate practice. Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorney, 2015. Named Hudson Valley "Super Lawyer" in 2013-2015. Has litigated and argued numerous civil rights precedents in Second Circuit Court of Appeals and Southern and Northern Districts of New York, including Back v. Hastings School District, 2d Cir. 2004, which held for the first time that caregiver discrimination and stereotypes against working mothers constitute employment discrimination. In Pucino v. Verizon, 2d Cir. 2010, the Court held that a female line-worker was subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace. Also in 2010, he prevailed at trial in a student-on-student racial harassment case against a Dutchess County school district, obtaining a $1.25 million verdict. In 2011, he prevailed on appeal in Jackler v. Byrne, establishing that police officer has First Amendment right to refuse to lie to superiors about police misconduct. Also speaks on civil rights and human resources issues, including current developments in employment law. Regularly addresses the National Employment Lawyer's Association at its bi-annual continuing legal education conferences. Has published articles in the New York Law Journal, the New York Labor and Employment Journal and Z Magazine. Quoted in national publications on civil rights and employment-related issues, including the New York Times, Washington Post and legal publications. Elected to the board of the National Employment Lawyer's Association, New York Chapter, in 2008. Maintains the only blog that covers the civil rights decisions of the Second Circuit.