Jay L.T. Breakstone serves as Appellate Counsel to Slater Slater Schulman in both federal and state matters and advises on questions of legal ethics. Jay is a highly respected appellate attorney with 48 years of legal experience and has secured over 300 reported appellate decisions thus far in his career.

As a seasoned appellate attorney, Jay concentrates his practice on prosecuting plaintiffs’ cases in various personal injury appeals. Jay has represented clients as the Founding Partner for The Breakstone Law Firm for 30 years. He has extensive experience in a wide range of law, including high-stakes criminal defense, complex class actions, multi-district litigation, civil litigation, and general practice in courts across New York State and federal courts nationwide. Furthermore, Jay is a trusted advisor among his peers in the industry, often consulting on subjects including firearms liability, attorney’s fee litigation, medical device/drug liability, and federal liability to U.S. soldiers injured due to institutional negligence. Jay takes special pride in having been one of the small handful of lawyers who drafted the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and fought for ten years to get it passed by Congress. For the first time, Marines, their families, and civilian employees can recover from injuries resulting from drinking the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

In addition to his practice, Jay is a prolific writer and lecturer. He serves as the New York State Chair for the American Bar Association, Judicial Division’s Council of Appellate Lawyers. He’s also the Appellate Practice Litigation Group Chair for the American Association for Justice. He is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and serves on its Amicus Committee. Jay is also a member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. Additionally, Jay writes and publishes MondayMonday, a weekly appellate newsletter for trial attorneys, and is a former editor of Bill of Particulars, Cases and Notes for the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.

Jay has made several professional appearances throughout his career, most notably at the American Bar Association Appellate Judges Education Institute Summits: “DEI: Bench & Bar Pipeline”(2023) (Plenary Session) and “The Ethics of Building and Growing an Appellate Practice” (2021). He also served on the Judicial Selection Committee (New York State Court of Appeals) and New York State Trial Lawyers (1999), and he has taught at New York State Trial Lawyers, Continuing Legal Education Seminars (1998-2002).

Outside of his practice, Jay is an elected member of the Board of Trustees for the Bellmore Union Free School District, where he has served as a member for eight terms and was a former president for two. Jay is also a former president of the Nassau‑Suffolk School Boards Association, has stood for the New York State Assembly, and is part of the New York State School Boards Association (State Legislative Network). Jay’s dedication to his community has led to several recognitions, such as an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award from the New York State Council of Parent‑Teacher Associations; News12 Long Island’s “Speaking Out for Long Island Schools Award”; the Bellmore Union Free School District’s Past President Award; and SCOPE Education Services, Outstanding School Board Services Award.