Biography of Justice Lawrence Knipel

JUSTICE LAWRENCE KNIPEL is New York State Administrative Judge for Civil Matters, Second Judicial District (Kings County, Brooklyn). He has implemented many innovative programs to streamline court procedures and increase efficiency, including the inauguration of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive central pre-trial discovery complex. In addition to his administrative duties, Justice Knipel continues to preside over Commercial matters.

As a Trial Justice, he successfully resolved complex SEQRA, Toxic Tort, Employment Discrimination and Medical Malpractice litigation. He presided over the highly successful Medical Malpractice Early Settlement Part in Kings County and has been elected to an ASTAR Science and Technology Fellowship.

Between 1998 and 2002 Justice Knipel presided in the Criminal Term of New York State Supreme Court, Kings County, during which time, he presided over a large number of criminal felony trials.

Prior to taking the bench 25 years ago, he earned a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University.

Justice Knipel resides with his wife, Lori Citron Knipel, a practicing attorney, and children Ricky and Rachel in a Victorian home in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn.

Justice Knipel is a frequent lecturer on topics relating to Medical Malpractice and Trial Practice. His prior honors include the Annual Award of the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Benjamin Cardozo Award from the Jewish Lawyers Guild, the Ecumenical Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the New York County Lawyers Tort Law Section Award and the Distinguished State Jurist Award from the Defense Association of New York.

A Past President of Congregation Temple Beth Emeth v'Ohr Progressive Shaari Zedek, in his spare time, Justice Knipel is an enthusiastic road runner and a novice guitarist.