Attorney Profiles

Bruce Yukelson has been engaged in the practice of law since 1974. During this time he has represented a countless number of plaintiffs in motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, wrongful death claims, medical malpractice actions and a multitude of liability actions where damages are sought as a result of the fault of another. He has tried cases in courts in the five boroughs of The City of New York, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, as well as in the Federal courts located in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Central Islip. He has argued cases in both State and Federal Appellate Courts. He has also achieved multi-million arbitration awards, which have been confirmed by the Federal Courts. His litigation techniques, which have been honed from his many years of experience, have contributed to successful results in a wide range of cases.

Prior to co-founding the firm of Wolfe & Yukelson PLLC in 1980, Mr. Yukelson was engaged in the general practice of law in New York City, handling all aspects of civil litigation. He has put that knowledge to use in identifying issues which may not be apparent to a less experienced attorney.

An example of Mr. Yukelson's determination is set forth in the published decision Polkowski v. Mela, 143 A.D.2d 260, 532 N.Y.S.2d 159, which was decided by the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department. In that case, the plaintiff was awarded $593,452.94 in Federal Court in Manhattan for injuries. Thereafter, the defendant transferred his house to his wife in an attempt to avoid payment on the award. Mr. Yukelson then commenced an action on behalf of plaintiff in Supreme Court, Richmond County, to set aside the transfer of the house as fraudulent. On appeal, the Appellate Division, held that the plaintiff established by clear and convincing evidence an actual intent to defraud, and the transfer was set aside, enabling plaintiff to collect on the award.

Since successfully representing the Hertz Corporation as a plaintiff in 1984, the firm of Wolfe & Yukelson PLLC has been representing the Hertz Corporation in defending liability claims. This long-term representation has given Mr. Yukelson an insight into the manner in which insurance companies perceive and defend legal actions brought by plaintiffs.

Mr. Yukelson is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He is a graduate of Stuyvesant High School, Cornell University and Brooklyn Law School.

Areas of Practice

• Personal Injury -- Plaintiff

Litigation Percentage

• 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

• New York, 1974
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1975
• U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1975
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1979

Education

• Stuyvesant High School
  
  
• Cornell University
  
  
• Brooklyn Law School
  
  

Representative Cases

• Polkowski v. Mela, 143 A.D.2d 260, 530 N.Y.S.2d 159 (Appellate Div. (2nd Dept. 1982) )
• Johannsdottir v. Kohn, 90 A.D.2d 842, 456 N.Y.S.2d 86 (Appellate Div. (2nd Dept. 1982) )
• Karroll v. Atomergic Chemetals Corp., 194 A.D.2d 715, 600 N.Y.S.2d 101 (Appellate Div. (2nd Dept. 1993) )
• Kapsalis v. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North & South America, 276 A.D.2d 595, 714 N.Y.S.2d 902 (Appellate Div. (2nd Dept. 2000) )

Professional Associations and Memberships

• New York State Bar Association
  Member
  
  
• New York State Trial Lawyers Association
  Member