Benjamin Brafman is an American criminal defense attorney and founder of the Manhattan-based law firm Brafman & Associates. Brafman is known for representing many high-profile defendants, including celebrities, accused Mafia members, and political figures.
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Early life and education
Brafman grew up in Brooklyn and Belle Harbor, Queens, a son of Holocaust survivors. Brafman's family fled from Europe to Cuba on their way to the United States just before World War II. He went to a Yeshiva High School and took night classes at Brooklyn College, majoring in anthropology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Brafman received his Juris Doctor with distinction from Ohio Northern University College of Law. He also earned an LL.M. from New York University School of Law. In May 2014, Brafman was awarded an honorary degree by Ohio Northern University College of Law.
Career
After graduating from law school and being admitted to the New York State Bar in 1975, Brafman worked for a criminal defense firm for two years, then became an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. In 1980, Brafman started his own law firm in Manhattan.
Notable cases
Brafman slowly established his reputation as a celebrity lawyer through a series of high-profile cases. Notable clients have included:
Jacob Arabo, jeweler
Philip Banks III, New York City Deputy Mayor
Jay S. Cohen, online gambling figure
Dinesh D'Souza, political pundit
Peter Gatien, nightclub owner
Vincent "Chin" Gigante, American Mafia boss
Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, American Mafia underboss
Michael Jackson, musician
Carl Kruger, New York politician
Charles Kushner, real estate developer
James Patino, who was cleared of all charges in the death of Yusef Hawkins
Sanford Rubenstein, high-profile attorney
Marvell Scott, sportscaster
Jacob Walden, owner and executive of assisted-living facilities
Menachem Youlus, rabbi
Brafman defended Sean "P. Diddy" Combs during his 1999 trial on illegal weapons and bribery charges. Combs, who referred to Brafman as "Uncle Benny" was acquitted of the criminal charges, which stemmed from a nightclub brawl while he was accompanied by then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and his usual entourage. One hundred prosecution witnesses and others testified to Combs's culpability, but still a not-guilty verdict was decreed on all charges, raising Brafman's profile.
Personal life
Brafman is a practicing Orthodox Jew.
His wife, Lynda, is a librarian. The Brafmans lived in a "cramped Forest Hills apartment" early in their marriage and, by 1998, lived in an "enormous Long Island brick mansion." Brafman has lived in the Five Towns area of Long Island since 1981. The couple have two children, Jennifer and David, and a number of grandchildren.
Brafman's older brother, Aaron, was an Orthodox rabbi in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Brafman is a self-described "short Jewish guy," standing five feet, six inches tall.