History of the Firm
Floyd Sarisohn and Bernard "Budd" Sarisohn founded our firm in 1957 when they opened their doors for business in a small two-room office on Jericho Turnpike in Commack. Floyd and Budd were at the forefront of a wave of new, young homeowners who helped convert Commack from a sleepy agricultural community, to the busy and desirable suburban destination that it is today. With only a few other law firms in the area, the Sarisohn brothers helped many families move into the neighborhood and establish new businesses. They became known for being accessible, involved in the community and assisting clients in all areas of the law.
Floyd quickly established a reputation for successfully defending the accused. In 1959, the people of Smithtown acknowledged his considerable skills, and elected him as Justice of the Peace. In 1963 he was elected as one of the first District Court Judges of Suffolk County. Meanwhile, Budd developed a reputation of his own, with his easy going manner and extensive knowledge of real estate law. For many years, if you met someone from Commack, it seemed as though either they were represented by Budd Sarisohn at a closing, or knew of someone who was.
As the reputations of Floyd and Budd Sarisohn grew in the community, so did their practice. Over the years, they relocated to larger offices within Commack, and invited partners to join them. In 1969 Walter G. Steindler, a former Town Attorney for the Town of Babylon, joined the firm. Known as a fierce, no-nonsense litigator, Walter brought legal muscle to the firm's growing litigation practice. The early to mid 1970s brought an increasing awareness of women's rights to the legal community. In Susan LeBow, the firm found a partner who not only was willing to fight for the rights of others, but stood on the front line of that battle herself. Active in the National Organization for Women, and a co-founder of an advocacy group for abused women (VIBS), Susan became one of the earliest women to become a partner in a major law firm, when she took on the task of anchoring her firm's matrimonial practice. Today, male and female clients alike seek Susan's wisdom and skill when they need a tough negotiator to protect them during a divorce.
From the beginning, we have helped clients receive compensation for their injuries negligently caused by others. Continuing our trend of expanding the firm and developing specialized practice areas, Ronald Carner joined us in 1974 to lead the firm's personal injury practice. A testament to Ron's skill and his reputation for success occurred in 1975 when nationally renowned personal injury attorney, Melvin Belli, decided to expand his San Francisco-based practice and establish a New York presence. He sought out Ron Carner and our firm to be partners with him. Today, having learned personal injury law at the side of his uncle, Ron's nephew, Michael Carner, continues his uncle's legacy of aggressive and successful representation of the injured.
In 1984, a second generation Sarisohn joined the firm bridging the
practice areas of both his Father, Budd and Uncle, Floyd. Using his background
as a former prosecutor, Steven L.
Sarisohn continues the tradition of a Sarisohn representing those accused of
a crime. Inheriting his Father's legendary patience and easygoing manner, Steven
Sarisohn helps clients create families by way of adoption and has established
Sarisohn Law Partners, LLP as one of the leading adoption firms in Suffolk
County.
The 1960s and 1970s were a period of sustained growth on Long Island. As our firm has done from the beginning, it has changed alongside the communities we serve. The population of Long Island has undergone a change in recent years, as many of those who moved to Long Island then are now growing older. In recognition of this trend, and to better meet the needs of an aging population, we are devoting more of our practice to the preparation of Wills, Trusts and the administration of estates. With precision and compassion, we make sure that our clients have properly planned for the future of their children, minimized the impact of estate taxes and that our firm is available to assist families carry out their loved ones final wishes.
When brothers Floyd and Budd Sarisohn started our firm, it originated as a family practice dedicated to helping the families of those they served. When our clients bought a house, started a business or fulfilled a dream by adopting a child, Floyd and Budd were available for advice and to offer their good wishes. When an arrest, personal injury, divorce or death made life difficult, they were there to help and provide support as well. We are proud of the fact that several generations of our clients' families have turned to us for advice. Commack and Long Island have evolved throughout the years as has our firm. When the needs of our clients and their families grew and changed, we expanded our areas of practice to meet those needs. We are no longer a law firm of just family members. We have changed names and partners and even moved our office several times. However, the one constant that our clients have always been able to count on are the lessons taught by our founding partners and refined by those that followed. Sarisohn Law Partners, LLP still remains a law firm whose partners are always accessible and dedicated to helping clients and their families with all of their legal needs.
Throughout the years of our firm's existence, we have followed the lead of our founding partners by becoming involved in service to our community. Our partners have served as advisors and leaders of the Democratic party, leaders in their religious congregations and in numerous other school and civic groups. Our partners and attorneys associated with our firm have gone on to become Judges in most of the Courts of our county. We encourage you to learn more about Sarisohn Law Partners and its history by viewing our scrapbook of accomplishments in the legal world and community at large.
CIVIC PRIDE
We are active, contributing members of the communities where we live and work. Learn more about who we are and what we do.
- Attorney Helps Others Resolve Disputes
(Newsday's Everyday Hero Steven Sarisohn) - Women In Law "Rewards For A Long Struggle"
(Susan Lebow) - Floyd Sarisohn, Esq.: The "Mother" Of All Chess
Collectors
(Floyd Sarisohn has one of the largest chess set collections in the world.) - Steven Sarisohn receives thanks from Commack High School
- Sophmore Shadowing Students Spend A Day In The Workplace
As Part Of Groundhog's Day Event
(Steven Sarisohn and The Mentoring Partnership of Long Island.) - Legal Day coordinator of WGSM Call For Action program thanks Floyd Sarisohn
- Mobilizing American Athletes For The Maccabiah
Games
(Ronald Carner) - 13th Annual International Sporting Event Joins Jewish
Athletes In Competition
(Ronald Carner, Co-Chairman of the United States Mens Masters Basketball) - Learning For Life Recognizes Steven Sarisohn for his support in providing youth program
- Commack Kiwanis Club Members (Steven Sarisohn) present Sagtikos School with check
- Supervisor of Vocational Services from APPLE (A Program Planned for Life Enrichment-Drug Treatment Facility) thanks Steven Sarisohn for assistance in preparing residents for their return to the community.
- Up And Down, Still Growing
Strong
(250 pay tribute to Floyd Sarisohn at testimonial dinner) - Steven Sarisohn receives Certificate of Appreciation for his work as a Volunteer Mediator
- Class from Sawmill Intermediate School thanks Steven Sarisohn for teaching them about lawyers and the constitution
- Nassau County Executive Tom Gullotta thanks Bernard Sarisohn for his work on behalf of the Guide Dog Foundation Of Smithtown. (Budd was a Board Member from 1992 to 2009 and served as its Chairman of the Board from 1994-1998.)
- Budd Sarisohn quoted in Newsday Korean War Op-Ed Article
- The Sounds Of War
by Bernard Sarisohn
POWERFUL ALLIES
The attorneys at Sarisohn Law Partners represent you with skill, dedication and compassion. We are proud of our accomplishments and the reputation we have earned in the legal community and amongst our clients.
- Jury Rejects Murder Charge In Killing Of Teen In Mastic Beach.
- Local Lawyer Tackles Highly Publicized Case.
- Cleared in Cop Beatings, North Babylon man aquitted; two officers face civil suit.
- Guard Cleared Of Wrongdoing.
- Veech acquitted. Court Tosses Out Disorderly Charge.
- First Insanity Plea Filed Under New Law.
- Steven Sarisohn judges Touro College Law Center Moot Court Competition - pdf 1 and pdf 2
- Torah Academy of Suffolk Mock Trial Team becomes
powerhouse in Suffolk County Mock Trial
Competition
(Co-coach Steven L. Sarisohn). - Feminine Name Gets Lost in Game.....Court denies request by Donna Cooperman to change her name to Cooperperson.
- Profile Ellen Cooperperson: How hard can it
be?
(Represented by Susan Lebow of Sarisohn Law Partners) - Supervising Judge Peter Dounias thanks Steven Sarisohn for arbitrating cases.
- Smithtown students finish third in statewide Bill of Rights competition.
- Noted adoption attorney commends (Steven Sarisohn)
- Adoptive family of three thanks Steven Sarisohn.
- Budd Sarisohn receives thanks from the Leeway School Board of Trustees.
- Decision and Order of the Court "Mr. Tate is a practiced and competent attorney who is well known to the Court and who has tried numerous matters before it. He is a litigator who enjoys a fine reputation in the legal community, particularly in the area of matrimonial law."
PUBLIC SERVICE
Beginning with Floyd Sarisohn's successful election as Smithtown's Justice of the Peace and later as its' first District Court Judge, and continuing through today with former Babylon Supervisor and current Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Rich Schaeffer acting as Of Counsel to our firm, members of Sarisohn Law Partners have been actively involved in local and county politics.
- County Executive Steve Levy meets with Susan LeBow
- Councilman (William Rebolini) joins law firm
- Steve Levy sworn in as County Executive by Supreme Court Justice William Rebolini
- Floyd Sarisohn meets with Babylon Town Supervisor (and current County Democratic Chairman) Richard Schaeffer, Smithtown Democratic Chairman, Tom Lambert, and Dominic Baranello, Suffolk County Chairman.
- Sarisohn's Back in Political Swing
- LeBow wins - - Prospect
Loses
(Susan LeBow ousts long time incumbent in primary). - Deadline nears for Dix Hills Dems.(Susan LeBow files petitions for Democratic primary).
- Sarisohn Quits Nomination
Race
"I'm not ready to give up fighting the establishment." - Congressmen George Hockbrueckner and Joseph Kennedy meet with Susan LeBow.
- Lt. Governor Krupsak meets with Long Island Campaign Chair, Susan LeBow.
- Walter G. Steindler to be nominated for State Supreme Court (Steindler, now retired from Sarisohn Law Partners, was previously the first Town Attorney in Babylon history).
- Walter G. Steindler, Babylon's first attorney.
- Steindler slated for County post.
- Budd Sarisohn - Candidate for State
Assembly.
"A strong voice needed" - Court Load Hits Peak
(deluge of defendants forced Justice of the Peace, Peter Nowick to ask the aid of JP Floyd Sarisohn) - Justice of the Peace, Floyd Sarisohn, becomes the first J.P. in the County of Suffolk to wear judicial robes on the bench.
- Judge's sentence: Work Off Your Guilt (Floyd Sarisohn introduces community service to Suffolk Courts).
- Steven Sarisohn honored for sharing his expertise in Family Law with other members of the legal community.
- Steven Sarisohn honored by Member of Congress Steve Israel.