The legal professionals at Bernfeld, DeMatteo & Bernfeld, LLP have worked together with
clients throughout New York City and State for over 20 years. Combined, our attorneys bring
over 100 years of criminal defense and complex civil litigation experience to the practice of law.
Through their many years of practice, the experienced attorneys at BDB have learned to pay
careful attention to their clients’ needs, whether in a criminal defense case, a complex civil
litigation, or in connection with getting an old criminal conviction sealed under section 160.59 of the Criminal Procedure Law. The goal at BDB is to get the best result possible for each and
every client.
Partner David Bernfeld brings 55 years of experience to the practice of law. In his criminal
defense practice, he has represented health care professionals, nursing homes operators and
administrators, and many others in high stakes criminal cases. As for complex civil litigation,
David was pre-eminent and successful in defending those victims of Bernard Madoff’s ponzi
scheme theft, from whom the Trustee sought to claw back substantial sums of money. In his
Nursing Home practice, David was also one of the few attorneys in New York State to bring
successful rate and methodology challenges against the New York State Department of Health, ultimately resulting in a “universal settlement” very favorable to the 55 nursing homes
represented by the firm. (Link to David’s full Bio)
Jeffrey Bernfeld also boasts 27 years of experience handling complex civil litigation. Together
with David Bernfeld, Jeff masterminded the procedural vehicle to join the rate challenges of the firm’s 55 Nursing Home clients into one mega-case, ensuring those clients a large share of the “universal settlement” undertaken by New York State in 2016. Jeff has also successfully
brought cases involving civil rights violations and security fraud. In addition, Jeff is an
experienced mediator trained and certified by the Commercial Division of State Supreme Court in Manhattan. As someone who also practiced matrimonial law for many years, Jeff is a great choice for any divorce or family law mediation. (Link to Jeffrey’s full Bio)
Joseph DeMatteo has been practicing criminal law for 36 years, first as an Assistant District
Attorney in the highly respected Manhattan District Attorneys, and later as a criminal defense
attorney with BDB. Joseph is an experienced trial lawyer, having tried well over 50 jury trials
during his career. While Mr. DeMatteo is available to defend most criminal cases in the New
York metropolitan area, his passion is to help people with conviction records throughout New
York State overcome the harsh collateral consequences that persist years after a sentence has
been served. He has successfully helped several clients get felony and misdemeanor convictions sealed under New York’s Sealing Statute (CPL §160.59). He also regularly helps clients obtain Certificates of Relief from Civil Disabilities and Certificates of Good Conduct. Mr. DeMatteo looks forward to helping individuals entering New York’s recently legalized cannabis industry clear their records and obtain such Certificates.
Our expertise, knowledge and skill haven’t just made us successful in civil and criminal
law—we also provide training for other attorneys throughout New York State.
Our lawyers have participated in educational programs at a number of universities, such as St.
John’s University School of Law, Hofstra University School of Law and Pace School of Law.
David Bernfeld has spoken before various industry groups and institutions involved in the
nursing home industry, and Jeffrey Bernfeld and Joseph DeMatteo have both appeared regularly on truTV (formerly known as Court TV) as commentators. Lastly, Mr. DeMatteo has presented Continuing Legal Education programs to both the City Bar, the Columbian Lawyers Association, and the Brehon Law Society. He has also been a guest speaker to the Cannabis Community and Educate Don’t Incarcerate, where he has discussed issues involving sealing, expungement, certificates of relief and the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.