General practice, attorney, criminal defense

Craig E. McElwee was born in Bethpage, New York, on September 17, 1969. He attended the public schools in Bethpage and graduated from Bethpage High School in 1987, where he was a 1986-87 member of the varsity football team. He has maintained connections and friendships with many of the people he met and grew up with in and around the Bethpage Community.

After high school, Craig attended Hofstra University where he was on the Dean’s List and became the New College Student Government President and a member of the Dean’s Council. Craig has held a variety of positions with a number of different employers. In order to afford the expenses of college, Craig worked as a busboy in a Japanese Restaurant, a custodian in a commercial building, and a store clerk and eventual assistant manger at a local pet store. After 4 years at Hofstra, Craig completed his studies in 1991 when he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science with minor focus in Humanities and Psychology.

Craig next attended and earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from New York Law School, located in Tribecca, Manhattan. During Law School Craig continued to work, obtaining positions as a collection account assistant with Batzar & Weinberg, P.C. in Rockville Centre and eventually with Plaza Associates in Manhattan, where he worked until after graduation. Craig also completed an internship with the Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney’s Office, where he assisted the Senior Trial Attorneys in the preparation of the case of The People of the State of New York v. Padu Hos, a homicide. As a part of his duties, Craig researched and prepared a legal brief which was filed with the court in this case, involving the issue of whether prior bad acts should be allowed in at the time of trial. Craig completed his internship and graduated from law school in 1994.

In the decade since being admitted to practice in New York, Craig has held 3 legal positions before starting his own firm. In addition to his experience in the civil and criminal defense side of law, Craig was a prosecutor in both Florida and New York (Suffolk County) for a total of almost 7 years and was an adjunct instructor at South Florida Community College where he taught criminal law and procedure at the Corrections and Law Enforcement Training Facility. Craig has been the sole or lead attorney in over 30 jury trials, 20 bench trials (trials before a Judge only) and numerous pre-trial hearings. His experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system, the courts and its personnel has proven extremely valuable and helpful in resolving cases.

Craig is also on the appointed counsel panel in Suffolk County pursuant to County Law 18-b, regarding felony matters and 18-a, regarding appointment to represent indigent individuals charged with Homicide.

In addition to the above education and experience, Craig has received specialized training in the areas of DWI Trial Advocacy, Narcotics, Forensic Evidence, DNA, and Advocacy related to cases of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse.

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