
Craig Phemister has been litigating cases in New York for nearly 30 years. Having grown up in the Midwest, Mr. Phemister graduated from college at the University of Nebraska and received his law degree from Creighton University in Omaha. After an internship with the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Office at Offutt Air Force Base, he moved to New York City where he believed his career interests could best be met.
For the past 28 years, Mr. Phemister has represented thousands of clients, focusing on personal injury and civil rights violations – which are often closely tied together. His fascination with civil rights started when he was selected to help litigate a case where it was proven that the client was actually innocent but had been falsely accused and wrongfully convicted of murder; then served 18 years of his life in prison. It was beyond shocking that something like that could happen – and destroy numerous lives in the process. Mr. Phemister went on to become the Practice Chair of Civil Rights at a national law firm in Manhattan where he continued to represent victims of police abuse, excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and wrongful conviction.
Craig has always worked simultaneously on civil rights cases and personal injury cases with life-changing injuries. Both types of cases have truly caused his clients tremendous harm and Mr. Phemister loves to fight to get them what they deserve. Having always represented plaintiffs, Mr. Phemister has taken over 200 verdicts at trials on cases where defendants have refused to fairly compensate his clients for their negligence and recklessness. His compassion and zealous advocacy for his clients have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.
Craig has a life-long passion for fighting for the underdog. He has successfully obtained winning verdicts and settlements on cases involving premises accidents, automobile accidents, medical malpractice as well as both minor and major civil rights violations. He has been selected as a “Super Lawyer” and “The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100” for the past several years – awards that reflect his leadership, reputation, and qualifications.
Although he focuses primarily on New York cases, Mr. Phemister has also been admitted pro-hac vice to represent clients in several other states including Colorado, Pennsylvania, Michigan and New Jersey.
Education
- University of Nebraska
- Creighton University School of Law
Licenses and Memberships
- Licensed Attorney in New York State – 1998
- Licensed in U.S. District Courts – Eastern Southern and Northern Districts of New York
- Licensed New York Real Estate Broker
- Licensed New York State Notary Public
- Licensed New York State Marriage Officiant
- Licensed Federal Aviation Administration Student Pilot
- Member New York State Trial Lawyers Association