Samuel Hirsch (lawyer) explained

Samuel P.^[1] Hirsch^{[2] [3]} (born c. 1948)^[4] is an American lawyer who also held public office.

Early life

He was born in a DP camp to Holocaust-survivor parents who came to the United States a year later. In the way of his parents, he is an Orthodox Jew.^[1]

His Juris Doctor degree is from New York University School of Law (1972) and his first law position was with Jacob D. Fuchsberg.

Career

Elected official

In 1977 he won a three-way primary^[2] and, after a three-way November election,^[5] became a New York State Assemblyman (48th District).^[4] His seat had been vacated by Leonard Silverman, who accepted an offered judgeship mid-term.^[1]

In 1982 he was challenged by Dov Hikind in the September primary; Hikind received about 500 more votes.^[6]

One of the issues for which he represented his community is reverse discrimination.^[1] Another was in the matter of more police protection, especially in the aftermath of "the fatal stabbing of an elderly Jewish man in a predawn street robbery."^{[7] [8]}

Lawyer

In 2002^[9] he filed a Class action lawsuit against McDonald's for alleged deceptive practices that resulted in obesity, particularly among teenagers; it was rejected in a Federal court.^[10] The ruling permitted refiling, which he did. It too was rejected.^[11]

His "bread and butter" cases are in the area of personal injury.^{[10] [12]}

Family

He and his wife Ruth are the parents of four children and grandparents of six.^{[10] [1]}

Notes and References

1. News: . 2 Young Candidates Have Victory In Sight . Mary Breasted . October 30, 1977.
2. News: The New York Times. Hirsch Is Victor In Brooklyn Race For Assembly Seat. Joseph B. Treaster . September 9, 1977.
3. News: . Koch and Kuomo Seek Support for Runoff . September 10, 1977.
4. News: The New York Times. 2 Young Democrats Are Easy Winners In Assembly Races. November 9, 1977.
5. News: The New York Times. Vote in City Largely Ratified Democratic Primary. Samuel Hirsch, 29, got three-quarters of the vote . November 10, 1977.
6. News: The New York Times. Five Incumbent State Legislators Defeated; Many Others Turn Back; Stiff Challenges. E.J. Dionne Jr. . September 24, 1982.
7. News: . 70 Are Hurt, Including 62 Officers, As Hasidim Storm a Police Station . Robert D. McFadden . December 3, 1978.
8. News photos of the day showed Hirsch's head bleeding (and others later showing it bandaged): he charged a police officer for clubbing him, even as "he tried to calm the demonstrators." One protestor died of a heart attack. Mayor Koch came later; NYPD conceded misconduct.
9. News: . 'Psychologically addictive' claim: Fast-food suits stand a chance . September 16, 2002.
10. News: The Forward. Unflippable Lawyer Bites Mickey D's With Burger Suit. Lisa Keys . February 21, 2003.
11. News: . Judge Dismisses Second Fat Suit Against McDonald's . September 5, 2003.
12. Advertisement by Hirsch News: The Jewish Press. Samuel HIRSCH: The Attorney Who'll Put His Experience in Your Court - Practice Limited to Accidents, Personal Injury and Malpractice. June 2, 1995 . 26.