Sean Riordan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Molloy College in 2000 and received his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 2004, where he was a member of the Journal of Legal Commentary. Upon admission to the practice of law, Mr. Riordan began representing claimants before the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication & Review and the various New York State/City Retirement Boards. Sean joined the firm in 2009 and became a partner in 2012.

Sean has been named disability counsel to a variety of NY unions and has lectured extensively to Correction Officers, Police Officers, Detectives, Teachers, Laborers, and other workers regarding their disability rights. Mr. Riordan was named counsel to the New York State Fraternal Order of Police in 2023. Sean has represented petitioners before the New York State Court of Appeals, New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, 3rd Department and the New York State Supreme Court on Article 78 Appeals and his victories have changed the disability pension landscape for Police, Correction Officers, and all Municipal Workers.

Sean is an outspoken advocate for First Responders, having joined with advocacy groups and Congressional leaders to help pass legislation that affords greater health care and benefits to men and women that respond to emergency situations. Sean has been interviewed by Court TV and Eyewitness News, as well as various other media outlets, regarding his work in this area. Mr. Riordan is also very involved in the Irish-American community.

As Past-President of the Nassau County Brehon Law Society, Board Member of the NYC Brehon Law Society, and a member of The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Long Island, Sean has been an advocate for human and civil rights in Northern Ireland and a proponent of the continued peace process. From 2008-2011 Mr. Riordan was named one of the Top 100 Irish-American attorneys in the United States by Irish America Magazine and the Irish Voice. In 2012 Sean was named to the 40 under 40 by the Irish Echo and in 2014 was named to the Top 50 Law and Order Leaders in America. Sean was selected by the American Institute of Legal Counsel as one of the 2019 Workers’ Compensation “10 Best Attorneys” for New York in Client Satisfaction. Mr. Riordan was honored by the NYC DOC Emerald Society as Honorary Member of the Year in 2019 for his work on behalf of New York City Correction Officers. Sean has held the award for the 10 Best Attorneys from 2019-2024, Lawyer of Distinction for Workers’ Compensation and Pension Law from 2020-2014, and named a “Knight of St. Patrick” by the Knights of St. Patrick in 2024.

He is also a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America; American Bar Association; New York State Bar Association and the New York County Lawyers Association. An avid sports fan, Sean can frequently be found rooting for his beloved Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, and Giants. He lives on Long Island with his wife and two children.

St. John’s University School of Law – As an undergrad I worked for the NYS Attorney General as a Paralegal in the Consumer Protection Division; worked for Nassau County Legislature as Aide to Legis. Joseph Scannell (final year of undergrad into law school);  In law school worked as Law Clerk for DiRaimondo and Masi, LLP in the field of immigration law; then worked for the Queens County District Attorney as Law Clerk in the Intake Division; then began working for Pasternack, Tilker, Heller, Ruben & Rieff and remained there after graduating law school and until I took at job at Sherman, Federman.

Yes and No. I wanted to play professional basketball first and foremost. Knowing that that was a long shot, I also have wanted to be a lawyer since I was little. I figured I would be a District Attorney for life, although it didn’t go that way getting to work with law enforcement personnel on a daily basis is quite similar.

Delivering what is sorely needed to those that need it most. The large majority of the time attorneys in the disability field are what separates family from economic destitution and survival. If we fail to do our jobs properly entire families can suffer. Tremendous pressure at times, but amazing feeling when you deliver.

It’s a great question, and a complex answer as the relationship with any client evolves from first meeting to last. At first meeting, my role is to be the expert in my field and evaluate the facts and circumstances of the particular matter so that I may give a frank and unbiased opinion to the client. It is also my opportunity to both show the client my personality and attempt to evaluate the client’s. Once I am the attorney of record it is my responsibility to vigorously advocate for the client, but also to listen to and aide the clients during their difficult times. This period forms strong bonds of friendship during the case that remain even after the case is complete. Except in court, my client’s always know that I am a different person in court! Friendship stops at the court house steps, inside the court room my job requires me to have my client prepared and to fight for their rights. Once court is over, we are back to friendship!

Personality. If you don’t like your lawyer’s personality, you will rarely believe that they are providing a quality representation on your behalf. Don’t ever go by personality alone, but don’t ever exclude it from your analysis of an attorney either.

I enjoy fighting for the rights of injured workers and ensuring that they and their families receive the compensation they deserve.

Hang with the family, watch my Knicks and Yankees and movies. I am an avid runner.

I am involved in many organizations. General Counsel for the FealGood Foundation – President of the Nassau County Brehon Law Association, VP of NYC Brehon Law Association, Member of ACLU, National Association of Trial Lawyers, New York State Bar Association, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Workers’ Compensation Bar Association, National Association of Social Security Representatives, Honorary Member of the New York City Department of Corrections Emerald Society and attorney to Various PBA’s and COBA’s throughout NYS.