Pryor Cashman LLP Secures $26 Million Jury Verdict for Allan Applestein
Following a 10-day trial in the Eastern District of New York, Pryor Cashman secured a jury verdict of over $26 million in a closely watched case involving allegations that New York lawyer Howard Kleinhendler took advantage of Allan Applestein, a 92-year-old client with advanced Alzheimer’s, by convincing him to sell him a valuable piece of land. The trial involved claims of elder exploitation, fraud, and legal malpractice, and the jury found in favor of Applestein on all counts. The Pryor Cashman trial team representing Applestein was led by partner Thomas Vidal and included associates Shamar Toms-Anthony and Rebecca Mandel.
In its decision, the jury also found that Kleinhendler’s law firm Wachtel Missry LLP was vicariously liable, because Kleinhendler was a partner there while representing Applestein. The punitive damages award was $15 million against Kleinhendler, and the compensatory damages award was over $11 million.
“We are pleased with the verdict in favor of our client, and that the jury was able to see the true facts of this matter involving elder exploitation, fraud, and legal malpractice,” noted Vidal. “The verdict underscores our firm’s commitment to justice, particularly for vulnerable individuals.”
Additional Pryor Cashman lawyers who assisted with the trial include associates Jack Kilgard and Parmida Enkeshafi.
The case is Applestein v. Kleinhendler, E.D.N.Y., No. 1:20-cv-01454. The verdict was covered by Bloomberg Law, Law360, and the New York Law Journal.
