MEET KEITH
Keith Braunfotel is a product of the Clarkstown Central School District - attending Little Tor Elementary School, Felix Festa Middle School, and Clarkstown North High School. Their sons, Ethan and Matthew, are also graduates of the Clarkstown Central School District, and they are in their respective senior years at The Ohio State University and Clemson University respectively. Keith is
a graduate of Rockland Community College, New York University, and Touro Law School. Keith and his law partner, Scott Frendel, have built a law firm in New City on Maple Avenue and have five employees. FAIRNESS
With nearly 3 decades of experience in criminal law, Keith has had the privilege of serving both as a prosecutor in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and as a defense attorney here in Clarkstown. This dual perspective has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system and the ability to approach each case with fairness and empathy. EXPERIENCE
The role of Clarkstown Justice encompasses much more than criminal and traffic cases. Keith’s extensive experience in civil litigation and landlord-tenant matters is invaluable in this position, as the Clarkstown Justice Court handles a diverse range of cases that require a nuanced understanding of various areas of the law. Since founding his firm in 2006, Keith has managed over 1,000 matters in the Clarkstown Justice Court, which include both criminal/traffic, and civil cases. This consistent involvement in our community’s legal affairs has not only sharpened his legal acumen, but also solidified his commitment to serving the residents of Clarkstown with integrity and dedication. COMMUNITY
Being an active member in the Clarkstown community is important to Keith and it’s a priority in his life. Keith served as the President of the Rockland County Bar Association and has been the Chair of the Assigned Counsel Plan (18b) for over 20 years. In 2007 the Rockland County Bar Association awarded Keith with the “Committee Chairperson of the Year” award, and in 2018, the Bar also awarded Keith the “Sterns Award” - one of the most prestigious awards the Bar Association can bestow. This award is given to a member who distinguishes themselves for service to the bar association and the community. For over 20 years, Keith has been an active member of the New City Rotary Club, which is a service organization providing aid to people in our community, and previously served as the Rotary Club President. Since 2005, Keith led an annual coat drive, which provides warm winter coats to elementary school children in need. The motto of Rotary is "Service Above Self” and in 2018 the New City Rotary Club honored Keith with the distinguished “Paul Harris Award,” which is given to a Rotarian who most embodies the motto of service above self. From 2000 to 2015, Keith taught Business Law 1 and 2 at Rockland Community College (RCC). In 2016 RCC named Keith “Alumni of the Year.”
In 2006 the Rockland Community Development Corporation awarded Keith the “Forty Under 40” award.
