Protecting Your Rights Through State & Federal Defense
Brian J. Griffin concentrates his practice of law in the areas of criminal defense at the state and federal level. As the firm’s principal New York criminal defense attorney, Mr. Griffin regularly attends court proceedings both in State and Federal court and is often on trial. Mr. Griffin’s in-court trial experience has proven invaluable for Foley Griffin, LLP’s clients. In 2010, Mr. Griffin was awarded the prestigious Practitioner of the Year award by the Criminal Courts Bar Association. Mr. Griffin regularly appears as a legal commentator and is regularly quoted in local newspapers such as Newsday.
Mr. Griffin is a life long resident of Long Island. Mr. Griffin attended the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania where he graduated with honors with a degree in Economics/Finance. Upon completion of his degree in Scranton, Mr. Griffin returned home to New York to pursue his law degree as a Dean’s Merit Scholar at Brooklyn Law School. At Brooklyn Law, Mr. Griffin interned for a Federal Judge and later the United States Attorney’s Office. As a third year law student, Mr. Griffin joined the staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission where he worked until graduation.
Immediately upon completion of his studies at Brooklyn Law and after taking the New York State Bar Examination, Mr. Griffin continued his legal career as a prosecutor. He joined the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office located in Hempstead and Mineola, New York. At the office of the District Attorney, Mr. Griffin was initially responsible for handling misdemeanor crimes such as driving while intoxicated (DWI), assault, domestic violence and traffic offenses. After a short time, he was promoted to the County Court Trial Bureau. In the County Court, Mr. Griffin was responsible for handling a wide range of felony offenses including felony DWIs, violent assaults, burglaries, and robberies. At the DAs office, Mr. Griffin tried numerous cases to verdict and obtained valuable courtroom exposure. Mr. Griffin was also appointed as a Special Prosecutor for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and handled a variety of prosecutions in Suffolk County.
In 1997, Mr. Griffin left the District Attorneys office along with this colleague and current law partner, Thomas J. Foley. The firm was originally located in Mineola and moved to the current location in 2008.
Call Foley Griffin, LLP at (888) 966-8480.
Bar Admissions
- New York, 1994
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
Education
- University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1990
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York, 1993
Professional Associations & Memberships
- New York State Bar Association - Member
- Former Assistant District Attorneys Association - Member
- Nassau County Bar Association - Member
- Criminal Law & Procedure Committee - Past Chair
- Judicial Screening Committee
- Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Association - Former President
Past Employment & Academic Positions
- Nassau County, Assistant District Attorney
- Securities and Exchange Commission
- St. John's University, Adjunct Professor
