Overview
Lisa A. Linsky focuses her practice on complex litigation. With more than 15 years’ experience as a criminal prosecutor, Lisa handles matters including sexual assault, abuse, and misconduct investigations and litigations, trust and estate, complex commercial and civil rights matters. Lisa is a co-founder of the Firm’s Sexual Assault & Abuse Investigations+ Group (“SAAIG”) and assists clients with sensitive and often high-profile matters.
Lisa comes to McDermott with extensive investigation and trial experience. She is formerly with the Westchester County New York District Attorney’s Office, where she held the positions of associate chief of the Special Prosecutions Division and chief of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau of the same division. Lisa investigated and prosecuted countless sexual assault and abuse cases involving children and adults and has been recognized for her expertise in the fields of domestic violence, child abuse and sex crimes investigations and trials. Lisa is an accomplished public speaker and has trained members of law enforcement, the judiciary, mental health professionals, teachers and parents on the identification and prevention of child sexual abuse.
Lisa was McDermott’s first partner-in-charge of Firm-wide Diversity and partner-in-charge of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Diversity and Inclusion. She created and chaired the Firm-wide LGBT Committee, and currently serves on the Firm’s Pro Bono and Community Service and Diversity and Inclusion Committees.
In addition to her litigation skills, Lisa has received numerous awards for her distinguished service in both the public and private sectors, and has a wide range of public speaking, training, and teaching experience.
Results
- Represents religious, academic, and other organizations in cases involving the NY Child Victims Act and other sexual misconduct allegations
- Assists religious and other organizations in evaluating risk in connection with decades-old sexual abuse allegations
- Represented a major insurance carrier in various arbitrations involving sexual misconduct allegations and commercial disputes
- Served as handler for the corporate representatives of a Fortune 500 company for a national docket of product liability cases
- Represents clients in contested trusts and estates litigation and related private client matters
- Represents The Mattachine Society of Washington, DC, in connection with its work to uncover deleted governmental documents evidencing discrimination against LGBT Americans
- Served as national and local counsel to a major corporate client, managing large dockets of product liability cases and conducting investigations and trials of asbestos personal injury claims; successfully argued summary judgment motions, conducted fact investigations, hearings, and trials
- Represented an HIV/AIDS provider in litigation against a former subsidiary that resulted in a successful settlement
- Represented the board of a New York special needs plan in connection with an independent investigation into allegations of fraud, mismanagement, and discrimination
- Served as lead investigator in a major breach of personally identifiable information for a New York hospital that resulted in the return of the data
- Represented a New York City nonprofit facility that provides long- and short-term care to vulnerable populations in connection with allegations of discrimination by former employees resulting in dismissals by the New York State Division of Human Rights
Recognitions
- Crain’s New York Business Notable Women in Law Honoree 2022
- Recipient of the LGBT Bar Association of New York’s 2020 Community Vision Award
- Above and Beyond Award by City & State New York 2019
- New York City Bar Association, 2019 Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award
- The LGBT Community Center of NYC’s Women’s Event 2017 Community Impact Award for Social Justice
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association Paula L. Ettelbrick Award for LGBT Lawyer of the Year 2016
- New York Law Journal Lawyers Who Lead by Example, Award for Public Service 2016
- Edward R. Murrow award for best documentary on work with the Mattachine Society of Washington, DC 2016
- Chambers Diversity Award for LGBT Equality Lawyer of the Year in Private Practice 2016
- Arthritis Foundation, Woman on the Move Award 2013
- Empire State Pride Agenda, Equality@Work Award 2010
- HELP/PSI, Empowerment Award 2014
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), named Mover & Shaker in 2009 and 2013
- New York Observer 2011, New York City Top 50 Power Gay
- New York City Bar Association, Art Leonard Pride Award 2013
Community
- ABA Section Leader, Litigation Section’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
- Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, Attorney Grievance Committee, member, 2018 through 2020
- National Association of Women Lawyers, Diversity Committee Chair, 2012 to 2017
- New York City LGBT Community Center, board secretary, executive committee member, 2015-present
- Lambda Legal, officer of the board of directors from 2007 to 2014, and current member of the National Leadership Council and Emeritus Board
- Law Firm Diversity Professions, elected as director at large to the board of the association 2011 to 2013
Credentials
Education
Pace University School of Law, JD, with honors, 1984
Villanova University, BA, with honors, 1981
Admissions
New York
Courts / Agencies
Supreme Court of the United States
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
