Yakov Medinets

Yakov Medinets is a veteran commercial litigator specializing in state and federal matters. 

Yakov has handled all phases of complex commercial disputes, from demands and alternative dispute resolution to pleadings and motion practice, coordinating and compelling discovery, witness preparation and cross-examination, trial and appellate work, settlement, and judgment enforcement. 

Since joining Bochner, Yakov has made significant contributions to the firm’s litigation practice, achieving notable successes that include: defeating a motion for summary judgment in lieu of complaint based on counterclaims for a set-off; opposing an appeal to dismiss defamation claims on First Amendment grounds; and filing a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court addressing constitutional eligibility criteria for holding elected office. He has skillfully handled a wide variety of corporate and commercial litigation matters, including disputes over contractual and fiduciary duties, professional standards of care, and veil-piercing claims, and successfully made and opposed numerous motions, including motions to compel, motions to dismiss, anti-SLAPP motions, motions for default or sanctions, and motions for summary judgment.

Yakov began his legal career at Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, where he gained years of hands-on litigation experience preparing expert and fact witnesses for trial, drafting litigation documents, and managing large legal teams for discovery review. Before joining Bochner, Yakov also helped grow a commercial real-estate practice at Gurman Weiss, P.C., where he worked on litigation matters involving real estate and construction claims, lien foreclosures, minority shareholder rights, and general commercial disputes.

Yakov earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2014, where he received the Best Brief Award in Legal Research and Writing and served as Assistant Production Editor for the Virginia Journal of Criminal Law. Yakov received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law, with distinction, from the University of Virginia.

Admitted to the New York State Bar, Yakov continues to leverage his extensive legal knowledge and practical experience to deliver outstanding results for his clients.