Judge Bentley Kassal joined Skadden, Arps in 1998 after a long and distinguished career in the judiciary and the New York legislature. He advises on litigation matters, especially regarding the appellate process.

Judge Kassal was elected to the New York state legislature in 1957 and served through 1962. While a legislator, he authored the New York Arts Council Law, the first law of its kind in the United States, and testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Labor and Education in support of the U.S. Council on The Arts Bill. From 1970 to 1993, he served on New York Courts, including the New York City Civil Court, the New York Supreme Court, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. Currently, Judge Kassal serves on several professional committees in New York, including the Office of New York Court Administration’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, the Appellate Division, Supreme Court, First Department’s Committee on Character and Fitness and the Mayor’s Committee on City Marshals.

Judge Kassal is active in charitable and pro bono efforts, particularly as a photographer for Save the Children and other charities for at least 35 years. He lectures frequently and has three times been designated as a “Distinguished Alumni Speaker” by Harvard Law School.