Mayor Lieberman, one of Long Island’s top lawyers

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During its inaugural Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala on Sept. 25, RichnerLIVE, which is the events division of Richner Communications, and the Herald Community newspapers honored roughly 50 of the most revered legal professionals on all of Long Island. Nominated by members of their Nassau and Suffolk communities, these lawyers represent the top of their profession. Among them was Sea Cliff’s own mayor, Edward Lieberman.

Lieberman has been practicing law for over 40 years, graduating from Hofstra Law School in 1977 and was admitted into the New York State Bar Association in 1978. He began his career as an assistant district attorney in the Nassau County D.A.’s office in 1978, becoming the chief of the civil rights unit and standing at the forefront of creating hate crime legislation statutes. In 1982, he joined the law firm of Librette and Friedland — which later became Librette, Friedland and Lieberman after he was made a partner — where he stayed until 2015. He now runs his own private practice, Edward L. Lieberman, P.C. directly across the street from his mayoral seat at Sea Cliff Village Hall.

Lieberman was named for his grandfather, Edward Larkin, who was an attorney and served as associate counsel for Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Selective Service Board until 1946. After learning of everything Larkin accomplished in his life, Lieberman wanted to carry out his namesake’s legacy. Because his family experienced anti-Semitism in both Russia and the United States, and he witnessed civil rights violations on television, Lieberman chose civil rights law as his area of practice. He said he is passionate about defending the downtrodden and less privileged and committed to helping them experience justice.

“You can’t lose focus on the fact that you represent someone who is relying on you,” said Lieberman. “You have to put that at the forefront of your being, especially if you have a very serious case where the defendant faces many years of imprisonment. It’s required that you focus on not only their defense but also how you can assist them as a human being.”

Amy Amato, Executive Director of Corporate Relations and Events at Richner Communications, said she, CEO and publisher Stuart Richner and several marketing experts in the law field came together to decide which lawyers were deserving of the Top Lawyer honor. She said Lieberman’s wealth of experience and success, as well as his position as Sea Cliff’s mayor, made him an excellent choice.

“I was very pleased that I was named,” said Lieberman, “but I know that we as a group of attorneys band together in our same cause to defend those who stand accused and we all have the same desire to defend our oath of professional conduct.”

Lieberman said his experience as a lawyer has helped prepare him for his role as the mayor of Sea Cliff, enabling him to assist all of the village’s residents, as well as those who live in the surrounding communities. “The background I have has given me the ability to listen to people, to understand where they are coming from and their side of the story,” he said.

Regardless of recognition and titles, Lieberman said his main driving force for working in his field remains the same after 40 years — helping those in need.

On what he enjoys most about his job Lieberman said, “Helping those in need while they face probably the most strenuous time in their life, and at the same time assisting them, not only through the process but through their challenges.”