“I was drawn to the fact that hopefully one day I would be able to start working on some of these cases” – William, Associate Attorney
William Picarski:
My name is William Picarski, and I’m an associate attorney at Adam Leitman Bailey PC. I started off as an extern, then moved on to a summer associate position, and eventually became a full-time attorney with the firm after graduating law school.
I was fascinated by how litigation works. At the end of the day, it’s kind of like a chess match. A client comes in, they give you a fact pattern and tell you what the issue is, and your job is to advocate for them, making sure you’re able to produce the results they want to see. I found that intellectually stimulating. It’s interesting to fashion your own arguments and develop strategies. When you start a case and bring it to court, you need to know the procedure inside and out. That’s something I found unique, and you don’t get that in many other careers. It’s heavily based on strategy and advocacy.
One thing that jumped out at me when I first researched the firm was the different testimonials and case studies on the website. I was intrigued by the high-profile and interesting cases that this firm handles. The fact that these attorneys were advocating for clients and creating new law really drew me in. As I looked deeper, I was even more fascinated by the different areas of litigation the firm handles and the types of cases.
When I looked at the firm, I didn’t know much about real estate litigation in New York City, but as I researched more, I was fascinated by the cases I saw. For example, the Ground Zero Mosque case—being from Northern New Jersey, I knew about it and was intrigued to learn that this firm handled that case. Other cases, like the gentrification of Harlem, were also interesting to me. Seeing how Adam and the other attorneys at the firm were impacting the lives of clients really resonated with me. When clients have an issue with their property, it’s often tied to their livelihood, their homes, and their lives. I was drawn to the idea that one day I could work on these types of cases alongside Adam and the other attorneys at the firm.
Something that struck me as unique here, compared to other firms, is the diverse perspectives and the wealth of knowledge from years of practice. The attorneys, particularly the partners, have years of experience, and they are always eager to make sure that the younger associates, interns, and externs are learning. They’re never hesitant to give feedback or constructive criticism—they act more as mentors. You never feel hesitant to walk into a partner’s office to ask questions, and that’s something that’s been invaluable for me.
Advice for New Attorneys:
To anyone starting their legal career, I’d say: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I know when you first start at a well-known firm like this, it can feel a little intimidating to approach partners and ask for work. But the key is to show that you’re hungry to learn. Every assignment you get, make sure you put in 100%.
I learned that over time, you’ll make mistakes—and that’s okay. When you work with experienced attorneys at Adam Leitman Bailey PC, they’ll provide feedback and make sure that next time you face a similar situation, you remember what they taught you. For someone starting out like I did, it’s essential to work under people who will teach you and guide you.
Here, you work with attorneys who are very well-known in the industry and provide excellent advocacy. And you don’t just get to work alongside them—you’re learning from them every day. The lessons I learned during my first month as an extern, I still carry with me today. That’s something that many firms don’t offer.
Favorite Moments:
My favorite moments here are when I’m brought onto a case and given an assignment. Whether it’s drafting a summons and complaint or consulting with a client about a potential litigation matter, I love seeing all the hard work come to fruition. It’s rewarding to see a client get a positive result, knowing they were given excellent legal representation and that their goals were achieved. As I said, these clients are dealing with their livelihood—their homes—and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see them succeed.
Why Work at Adam Leitman Bailey PC:
First and foremost, working here gives you experiences you probably won’t get at any other firm. The attorneys here come from different backgrounds and have decades of experience in the industry. They’ve seen it all when it comes to real estate law, and they’re expert litigators. The work you do here is top-tier, and you get the best legal training possible. You’ll be learning every day on the job while providing clients with the best legal representation.
From day one, I knew Adam Leitman Bailey PC was the best of the best, and to this day, I continue to value that learning process. The firm provides a unique opportunity to grow as a lawyer, and it’s something that sets this firm apart.