Background
Brafman grew up in Brooklyn and Belle Harbor, Queens, and was the son of Holocaust survivors.
Civil litigation federal Criminal Libel lawyer
Brafman grew up in Brooklyn and Belle Harbor, Queens, and was the son of Holocaust survivors.
Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (Bachelor of Arts, 1971). Ohio Northern University (Juris Doctor, with distinction, 1974). New York University (Master of Laws, Criminal Justice, 1979).
Brafman is known for representing many high-profile defendants, including celebrities, accused Mafia members, and political figures. He went to a yeshiva high school and took night classes at Brooklyn College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in anthropology. Brafman received his Juris Doctor with distinction from Ohio Northern University College of Law.
He also has an Master of Laws from New York University School of Law.
In May 2014 Brafman was awarded an honorary degree by Ohio Northern University College of Law. After graduating from law school, Brafman worked for a criminal defense firm for two years, then became an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney" General’ s Office.
In 1980, Brafman started his own law firm in Manhattan. Brafman has represented a number of notable figures, including Jacob Arabo, James Patino (who was cleared of all charges in the death of Yusef Hawkins), Peter Gatien, Plaxico Burress, Michael Jackson, Carl Kruger, Charles Kushner, Marvell Scott, Sean Combs ("Puff Daddy"), Mafia boss Salvatore "Sammy the Bulletin" Gravano, online gambling figure Jay Cohen, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Rabbi Menachem Youlus, political pundit Dinesh Doctorate"Souza, high-profile attorney Sanford Rubenstein, and Martin Shkreli.
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs Illegal Gun and Bribery Charges
Brafman"s profile rose following his winning the acquittal of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, who was acquitted from his 1999 illegal weapons and bribery charges.
The criminal charges stemmed from a nightclub brawl, while accompanied by then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and Combs" usual entourage, and witnessed by over 100 other people. Despite the numerous prosecution witnesses to Combs" culpability, and Combs" fame, Brafman produced a unanimous "not guilty" verdict. Plaxico Burress shooting
On November 30, 2008, Brafman was hired to represent NFL star Plaxico Burress who on August 3, 2009 was indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment.
Burress pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Brafman and Strauss-Kahn"s other lawyer, William West. Taylor, III, of Zuckerman Spaeder Limited Liability Partnership, gained first a recommendation that charges be dropped from New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, and then charges dropped by New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus. Brafman discussed his defense of Strauss-Kahn on Charlie Rose in February, 2012.
Fellow: American College Trial Lawyers. Member: American Bar Association, New York Crimial Bar Association (board directors 1990-1992, Outstanding Private Criminal Defense Practioner award 2005), New York Council Criminal Defense Lawyers (Norman Ostrow award), National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers, Association Trial Lawyers American.
Married Lynda J. Bienenfeld, June 23, 1971. Children: Jennifer, David.