Interview With Andrew Buzin
Attorney Andrew S. Buzin can be found at Buzin Law, P.C. where he handles a variety of case types, including school negligence, negligent security, and auto accidents. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. His firm is located in New York, NY.
Lawyer Minds: What types of cases do you handle?
Andrew Buzin: I’m fortunate to have a very diverse practice. While there are certainly some general premises liability cases, auto cases, and medical malpractice/nursing home cases, I have developed a niche on matters involving school negligence. These are mostly negligent security/supervision cases, usually involving assaults and sexual assaults within schools. Additionally, I have a publicly traded real estate brokerage client that I represent on matters involving the collection of commissions, and I represent a restaurant group when the need for litigation arises.
Lawyer Minds: What efforts do you make to give back to your local community and why?
Andrew Buzin: Because my children are all very young, most of my community involvement surrounds the schools and the various activities that are run within the district. I also try to volunteer at local law schools by assisting with mock trial and moot court competitions.
Lawyer Minds: What do you feel are the three main attributes of a successful lawyer?
Andrew Buzin: To answer like a lawyer, there certainly can be more than three, and they don’t always have to be the same for every successful lawyer. I’ve found that the attributes that have been most helpful to me in my practice are having a good memory, being organized, and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships with others in the legal community.
Lawyer Minds: What advice would you give to a person who is seeking legal representation for the first time?
Andrew Buzin: It’s easy to just call a phone number from an advertisement. The question you should pose is: “What type of personal attention will the attorney or firm give to my case if I agree to be represented?”
Lawyer Minds: What was it like when you got your first win for a client?
Andrew Buzin: I started on the defense side, and the wins there are not met with the same appreciation as those you get from representing individuals on the plaintiff side. Having worked in sports before law school and still being a fan now, the big wins seem to be like those that players and coaches experience in that forum.
Lawyer Minds: If you could put a billboard up—that’s not an advertisement—what would it say?
Andrew Buzin: Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
Lawyer Minds: Why do you take the cases that you do?
Andrew Buzin: It’s easier to say why I decline some of the cases that may have value. I have made it my policy not to represent anyone I don’t like right off the bat. The reason? I like an extraordinarily high percentage of people in general, and if I don’t like you, then a jury certainly won’t like you.
Lawyer Minds: What are the essential building blocks for any law firm?
Andrew Buzin: No matter the type of firm, it must have systems in place for all facets of the operation. The firm technology must be current and reliable. The firm communication must be clear and consistent. And the relationships from which the firm derives business must be cultivated to build a foundation for long-term success.
Lawyer Minds: Are there any organizations you involve yourself with that you’d recommend to young lawyers?
Andrew Buzin: There are so many opportunities out there for young trial lawyers. It seems that the umbrella organization under which all the skill development courses and learning resources may be found is the American Association for Justice (AAJ). By joining AAJ, a young lawyer can become involved with the issues on a national level, become introduced to the trial lawyer association (TLA) for their state, become exposed to required readings on trial techniques, and hear from the legends of the industry on a regular basis.
Lawyer Minds: What’s one thing we didn’t cover in this interview you’d like to share with readers who aren’t lawyers?
Andrew Buzin: Everyone in the United States should be as familiar with the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution as they are with some of the other more frequently mentioned Amendments. It is our responsibility to ensure that individuals have a voice to take on wrongdoers, regardless of the wrongdoers’ wealth and power.
