Our Firm's History

Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP was founded in 1937 by William F. Bleakley of Yonkers and Livingston Platt of Rye. "Judge" Bleakley served as a New York State Supreme Court Justice prior to running for Governor of New York in 1936. Livingston Platt, a successful attorney in private practice, also had deep roots in local, state and national politics.

Bleakley Platt established its first office in the City of White Plains across from the county courthouse. Judge Bleakley drafted the first Westchester County Charter and then served as Westchester's first County Executive. Judge Bleakley was succeeded as County Executive by another member of the Firm, James D. Hopkins, who later went on to serve as a Justice on the Appellate Division, Second Department of the State Supreme Court. In addition to Justice Hopkins, two other Firm members attained distinction in the Appellate Division, Justices Arthur B. Brennan and Frederick G. Schmidt.

The tradition of government service continued through the years, as three additional alumni of Bleakley Platt & Schmidt sat as State Supreme Court Justices, one of whom also served as Surrogate for Westchester County. The tradition culminated in the late 1980's with the simultaneous federal chief judgeships of two former partners: Honorable Charles L. Brieant, U.S.D.J., former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Honorable Thomas L. Platt, U.S.D.J., former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Today, the Firm has grown to more than 40 professionals, serving our clients and the community through professionalism, public service and charitable works.