Craig N. Yankwitt

Phone: (877) 731-9050 (Toll Free)
E-mail:  Craig Yankwitt
Fax:       (203) 325-3769
              V-Card

Craig Yankwitt, a firm partner, joined Silver Golub & Teitell in 2004 following his clerkship with the Honorable Stefan R. Underhill, United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut. Prior to his clerkship, Mr. Yankwitt received his Juris Doctorate degree from Cornell Law School, and his Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University.

At Silver Golub & Teitell, Mr. Yankwitt enjoys a diverse civil litigation practice focusing on representing individuals, classes of individuals, and business owners in actions against the following:

He also represents individuals who have suffered significant physical and economic harm as a result of the negligent provision of medical and other health care services, as well as the negligent operation of motor vehicles, in both New York and Connecticut courts.

In the employment sphere, Mr. Yankwitt represents individuals who have suffered adverse employment actions in violation of the following:

• Contractual rights
• Federal and state employment discrimination statutes
• Whistle blower protections
• The First Amendment
• Public policy

In 2008, in a landmark case under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) that received national attention by the media and was subject to congressional hearings, Mr. Yankwitt represented a veteran who was denied proper reemployment by his former employer, a major financial institution, into his former position as a financial advisor. After the jury returned a favorable verdict, the court awarded back pay, liquidated damages, reinstatement, and attorney's fees, representing the largest reported damages award under USERRA. More significant than the size of the award, the jury's verdict has greatly expanded the rights of returning veterans across the country.

Other recent employment cases include an action on behalf of a former general counsel of an international shipping company for wrongful termination because he refused to participate in an illegal price-fixing scheme; a breach of contract claim involving a severance dispute on behalf of a senior company employee; and a sexual harassment claim against an international law firm.

In the personal injury arena, Mr. Yankwitt represents children and adults who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries, including death, due to the negligent provision of medical and other health care services, or the negligent operation of motor vehicles. Recent malpractice cases include the following:

• A wrongful death action against a primary care physician for failing to recognize apparent indicia of coronary heart disease
• A wrongful death action against a nursing home facility for failing to prevent an elderly patient from falling from his bed
• A wrongful death action against a surgeon who failed to timely repair a bowel injury following a motor vehicle action
• A wrongful death action against a physician for failing to properly diagnose a viral infection
• An action against a primary care physician for failing to diagnose liver cancer

In suits against owners and operators of automobiles, trucks, and watercraft, Mr. Yankwitt represents individuals who, as a result of the tortious conduct of others, have suffered significant personal injuries, including death, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent orthopedic injuries. In many instances, his clients have also suffered a tremendous economic loss associated with the personal injuries.

For his accomplishments, Mr. Yankwitt has been selected for inclusion in Connecticut Super Lawyers* as a Rising Star for three consecutive years, as published in New England Super Lawyers Magazine and Connecticut Magazine.

Mr. Yankwitt also devotes a significant portion of his time to pro bono matters. In 2007, he prevailed in district court on a habeas petition on behalf of an indigent client whose constitutional rights had been violated. He recently successfully represented the parents of a severely dyslexic child seeking tuition reimbursement as a result of the school district's failure to provide their son a free and appropriate education in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Mr. Yankwitt was also appointed by the district court to represent an indigent client seeking compensation for the violation of his civil rights arising out of his arrest and subsequent strip search.

Areas of Practice

• Civil rights litigation
• Employment litigation
• Personal injury
• Medical malpractice
• USERRA
• False Claims Act
• Constitutional law

Bar Admissions

• Connecticut
• New York
• U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Education

• Cornell Law School, Ithaca, New York, Doctor of Jurisprudence
• Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, Bachelor of Science

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, Member
• American Association for Justice, Member
• Federal Bar Council, Inns of the Court, Member
• Fairfield County Bar Association, Member

Past Employment Positions

• Hon. Stefan R. Underhill, United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut, Clerk

Contact Craig N. Yankwitt to discuss your legal needs

Individuals and businesses in Connecticut rely on the skill and professionalism of the trial attorneys at Silver Golub & Teitell. We take both business and personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Contact us online to find out how we can help.

We represent individuals and businesses in personal injury, wrongful death, and business litigation throughout the state of Connecticut, including Fairfield County, New Haven County, Hartford County, and the following communities:

* Connecticut Super Lawyers is published annually in the February issue of Connecticut Magazine and the November issue of New England Super Lawyers Magazine. Connecticut Super Lawyers is based on the survey of more than 13,000 attorneys across the state who have been in practice for five years or more. Please review each individual attorney’s biographical page for information about the year or years of selection by Super Lawyers.