Retired Appellate Judge Leventhal joins private law firm

January 20, 2021 Rachel Vick

Retired appellate judge John Leventhal has announced his return to the private sector. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

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Recently retired Second Department Appellate Judge John Leventhal is re-entering the private sector as a partner at a Brooklyn law firm, after more than two decades on the bench.

Leventhal, a former Brooklyn Supreme Court justice, brings more than 40 years of legal experience to his new role at The Law Offices of Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, P.C.

“On behalf of the entire firm, we are all flattered and honored that Judge Leventhal has chosen our firm to continue his outstanding legal career,” said Arthur L. Aidala Esq., managing partner of the firm. “He will greatly enhance the depths of our criminal and civil litigation and, of course will add all his appellate talents to the firm.”

Leventhal, who presided over the first felony Domestic Violence Court while working in Brooklyn during the 1990s, is compassionate and a “tireless advocate” for victims of abuse, according to the firm, Aidala continued.

His career began as a law assistant to Civil Court Judge Louis Rosenthal, and started his own firm before being elected to the Supreme Court bench in Brooklyn.

Leventhal is one of five appellate judges suing New York State Court System officials for age discrimination after 46 of 49 judges over the age of 70 were denied recertification.

The decision “will result in even greater delays in decision making by the Appellate Divisions, delays in decision making by the trial courts, a decrease in resources for the provision of justice to the state’s most disadvantaged citizens, and a decrease in diversity among the state’s judiciary,” the lawsuit states.