Keith Kleinick is an experienced litigator with a courtroom record that includes many significant verdicts. Prior to becoming a founding partner of Kleinick & associates in 2003, he was a partner with Weitz, Kleinick & Weitz- The Cochran Firm, Weitz, Kleinick & Weitz.

Mr. Kleinick after graduating from Brooklyn law school in 1989 started his legal career with Schneider, Kleinick, & Weitz one of the preeminent personal injury law firms. In 1994 Schneider, Kleinick, & Weitz merged with Phillip Damashek PC to form Schneider, Kleinick, Weitz, Damashek & Shoot. Then in 1999 after become one the most respected and predominate law firms in New York Schneider, Kleinick, Weitz, Damashek & Shoot joined with Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. to become The New York Cochran Firm. Keith Kleinick became a partner in The Cochran Firm Schneider, Kleinick, Weitz, Damashek & Shoot in 1999.

During his 16 years of practicing law Mr. Kleinick has handled all types of cases, including motorcycle accidents, construction and elevator accidents as well as premises liability cases and developed expertise in analyzing complex issues involving accident reconstruction.

In 2001, he obtained judgment at trial of $1.5 million in an auto case on behalf of the estate of a small business owner killed in a two car collision and $3.8 million for a pedestrian who suffered extensive permanent injuries when the parapet of an exterior wall fell on him. The injured man was unable to return to work. Another case of great significance was in 2005 when Mr. Kleinick along with his partner Paul Weitz and Arnold Weitz settled an automobile injury case against The City of New York and Ford Title Trust Co. for over 4 million dollars. In that matter the victim of the tragic accident sustained a traumatic leg amputation when she was struck by a New York City School Safety Vehicle.

Mr. Kleinick believes that client’s concerns come first and uses his trial skills to obtain the best judgments possible through settlements and verdicts.

My motto is, “Never settle a case we want to try or try a case we want to settle.”

This concept sets a high standard, but our firm, with its extensive experience in litigation, meets it. When a client has more to gain by settling a case, we use our trial expertise as a club to force a favorable settlement on his or her behalf. When there is more to be gained ultimately by a trial, our record verdicts send shivers through the insurance industry. These verdicts, of course, make future negotiations much easier.

Negotiation is my specialty. My years as a trial lawyer have been a great help in knowing how to succeed in these negotiations. We represent severely injured people, and I am determined to obtain the highest settlements possible for these clients.

All of us at this firm think that being active in professional organizations benefits everyone – us, our fellow lawyers and ultimately our clients. I am a past president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, a past president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of the City of New York, a member of the National Panel of Arbitrators and the American Arbitration Association. I have lectured on settlement strategies before major bar associations as well as conferences for new judges. I am a former member of the Joint Appellate Division Committee on Court Congestion and the Joint State Bar Association Committee on Court Affairs.

Sometimes you hear people say, “Don’t settle under any circumstances.” This is wrong! Effective negotiation can sometimes produce the same award that could be won in court – but years earlier. I say settling is at times the preferable resolution. The skill is knowing which avenue is best for each client. We do.


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