Robert J. Cimino, Esq.

Robert J. Cimino was the Suffolk County Attorney for 12 years.  He has over 20 years of municipal law experience working in the Office of the Suffolk County Attorney, and before that as the Islip Town Attorney.  As County Attorney, Robert managed and directed the County’s municipal law office, providing legal representation to the County and prosecuting and defending all civil actions and proceedings brought by or against the County, its legislature, and the County’s officers and employees.  He is rated “AV” by Martindale Hubbell.  In 2010, Long Island Pulse Magazine rated Robert a Top Legal Eagle in Suffolk and Nassau Counties for government.

From 1988 through 1991 Robert served as the Islip Town Attorney.  From 1980 through 1991 he was the senior partner in Cimino & Prudenti, a firm practicing trusts and estates law and litigation.  From 1977 to 1980, he was the Chief Clerk, Chief Law Assistant, and the Law Secretary at the Suffolk County Surrogate’s Court.

Robert graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School in 1971.  He graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1968.

Representative Appellate Decisions for Robert J. Cimino:

In the Matter of Town of Islip v. Frank Caviglia et al., 73 N.Y.2d 544,540 N.E.2d 215 Affirmed Appellate Division decision, on constitutional grounds, declaring the adult business provisions of the Town of Islip code are valid and enforceable. At the time it was decided it became the leading case in New York on zoning regulation of adult businesses.

In the Matter of Gary Salino v. Robert J. Cimino, as County Attorney of theCounty of Suffolk, 1 N.Y.3d 166, 802 N.E.2d 1100 Reversed the Appellate Division and found that the County Attorney’s decision to deny a defense to a Suffolk County police officer in an underlying federal civil rights action, on the ground that the officer was not acting within the scope of employment in connection with the incidents that formed the basis of the complaint, was not arbitrary or capricious.

Cricchio v. Pennisi, 90 N.Y.2d 296,683 N.E.2d 301 Leading case in New York, at the time it was decided, the court determined that a Medicaid lien must be satisfied before the establishment of a supplemental needs trust with the proceeds of a personal injury action.

Trincere v. County of Suffolk, 232 A.D.2d 400, 648 N.Y.S.2d 126 Minimal height differential in sidewalk was slight and trivial and as a matter of law nonactionable.

Colwell v. Suffolk County Police Department, 158 F.3d 635 Second Circuit reversed the District Court finding that three Suffolk County police officers were denied promotions as a result of discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). Second Circuit found there was insufficient evidence at trial to support the jury’s finding that the officers were disabled within the meaning of the ADA, and therefore direct the entry of judgment for the County.

Practicing: Municipal Law, Estate Plans, Litigation and Administration, Section 1983 Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination Litigation