Tilem & Associates, PC – Criminal Defense, Traffic, Commercial Litigation, Family Law

New York Trial Attorney Peter H. Tilem: A Trusted Lawyer for Over 25 Years

Finding the right lawyer during a legal crisis feels overwhelming. Whether it’s a criminal charge, a DWI stop, a family dispute, or a fight over an estate, the person facing it usually has one question first. Who can actually help, and can they be trusted? Tilem & Associates, PC has spent more than 25 years answering that question for people across the New York metropolitan area.

Company Introduction

Tilem & Associates, PC is a boutique litigation firm based in White Plains, New York. Founded by Peter H. Tilem, a former homicide prosecutor with the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the firm has built its name on trial skill and personal attention rather than volume. Peter Tilem spent over a decade inside the DA’s office, working in the Firearms Trafficking Unit, the Homicide Chart, and the Trial Division, before moving into private practice.

That background matters. A lawyer who has stood on the prosecution side understands how a case gets built, and that knowledge shapes how a defense gets formed. Today, the firm’s attorneys handle everything from serious felony charges to routine traffic tickets, and from complicated divorces to real estate disputes. Clients come from Westchester County, all five boroughs of New York City, Rockland County, Nassau County, Putnam County, and Suffolk County.

As a New York criminal defense lawyer team, the firm is best suited for people who want direct access to their attorney, a strategy built around their specific situation, and a firm small enough to actually remember their name. It is not a volume practice that treats every case the same way.

Why Choose Tilem & Associates

1. Decades of courtroom experience. The firm has represented clients for more than 25 years, and founding partner Peter Tilem has close to 30 years in the practice of law, including time as a prosecutor. That means the team knows how judges think and how prosecutors build a case, which helps when building a defense.
2. A full service approach under one roof. Many legal problems overlap. A criminal charge involving domestic violence, for example, can trigger a child custody case at the same time. Tilem & Associates handles criminal defense, family law, real estate, business law, immigration, and estate matters, so a client is not forced to hire separate lawyers for connected problems.
3. Personalized strategy. The attorneys sit down with each client, learn their goals, and review the evidence before deciding on an approach. This matters because two people facing the same charge can need very different defenses depending on their history and circumstances.
4. Recognition from peers and the press. The firm holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a spot on the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list, and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Its attorneys have also appeared on CNN, 60 Minutes, and in outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post for high profile cases.

PRACTICE AREAS :

Tilem & Associates covers a wide range of legal needs across New York. Its attorneys handle:

• Criminal defense, including homicide, drug and narcotics charges, gun and weapons crimes, sex crimes, and white collar cases like identity theft
• DWI, DUI, and DWAI defense, along with the science and testing issues behind these charges
• Traffic violations and license related matters, including points, suspensions, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charges
• Personal injury cases, including car, truck, and bicycle accidents
• Family law and matrimonial cases, such as divorce, custody, and visitation disputes
• Business law and commercial litigation, including partnership and shareholder disputes
• Real estate law and landlord tenant matters, covering both residential and commercial leases
• Probate, estate administration, and will contests in Surrogate’s Court
• Immigration law
• Article 78 proceedings, which challenge government agency decisions
• Gun licensing and Second Amendment matters, including pistol license hearings and firearm possession cases

Pricing and Fees

Tilem & Associates offers a free consultation, so a prospective client can talk through their case at no cost before deciding whether to move forward. Fees after that point depend on the type of case, its complexity, and how much work it will take to resolve. Criminal defense and DWI cases are typically billed as flat fees or on a case by case basis, while personal injury cases are often handled on a contingency fee, meaning payment only comes if the case succeeds. Business, real estate, and family law matters usually involve hourly billing or a retainer agreement, set after the initial consultation once the scope of the work is clear.

Because every legal situation is different, the firm does not publish a single price list. The best way to get an accurate number is to call and describe the situation during the free consultation. The intake team can outline what to expect before any commitment is made.

Payment is made simple too. The firm accepts online payments through secure payment portals on its website, along with traditional methods arranged directly with the office.

Serving Localities: New York City including New York County, Bronx County, Kings County, Queens County, and Richmond County; Rockland County; Nassau County; Putnam County; Suffolk County; and Westchester County.

Peter H. Tilem Esq – New York Criminal Defense Lawyer

Contact Information :

Tilem & Associates, PC
188 E Post Rd, White Plains,
NY 10601, United States
Free Consultation : 877-377-8666 (Toll Free) / 914-833-9785
Website : www.tilemlawfirm.com

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Attorneys are also available for urgent matters outside regular hours, since arrests and emergencies do not wait for business hours.

Getting there: The office sits in downtown White Plains, about ten miles north of New York City. Clients arriving by train can take the Metro-North Harlem Line to the White Plains station, a short walk or rideshare from the office. Local Bee-Line bus routes also stop nearby. Drivers will find several public parking garages within a few blocks of East Post Road, along with metered street parking in the surrounding downtown area.

Payment options: Online payments are accepted through the firm’s secure payment portal, in addition to standard billing arrangements set up directly with the office.

Best for: Individuals and small business owners in Westchester County and the greater New York City area who want a smaller firm with direct attorney access, rather than being handed off to a junior associate.

Portfolio

Tilem & Associates, PC is a White Plains based litigation firm with over 25 years of experience serving Westchester County and the greater New York metro area. Led by former prosecutor Peter H. Tilem, the firm handles criminal defense, DWI, personal injury, family law, business disputes, real estate, and estate matters. Its trial team has represented clients in complex, high profile criminal cases that drew coverage from CNN, 60 Minutes, and The New York Times, and it holds an AV Preeminent rating for legal skill and ethics. Clients consistently praise the firm for turning stressful, high stakes situations into manageable outcomes through careful strategy and steady communication.

In summary, Tilem & Associates has spent more than 25 years building a reputation as a dependable New York criminal defense lawyer and litigation firm for people across Westchester County and the New York City metro area. Its team combines courtroom experience from both sides of the law, a full range of legal services, and a personal approach that treats each case on its own terms. Anyone dealing with a criminal charge, a DWI, a family matter, or a business or real estate dispute can start with a free consultation to understand their options before making any decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What areas of law does Tilem & Associates handle?
The firm handles criminal defense, DWI and DUI cases, traffic violations, personal injury, family law, business law, real estate, immigration, probate and estate matters, and Article 78 proceedings against government agencies.

2. Where is Tilem & Associates located?
The office is at 188 E Post Rd, Suite 300, White Plains, NY 10601, about ten miles north of New York City.

3. Does Tilem & Associates offer a free consultation?
Yes. A free consultation lets a prospective client discuss their case with an attorney before deciding whether to hire the firm.

4. How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost at Tilem & Associates?
Fees vary by case type and complexity. Criminal and DWI cases are often flat fee, personal injury is typically contingency based, and other matters may involve hourly billing or a retainer, discussed during the free consultation.

5. What areas of New York does the firm serve?
The firm serves Westchester County, all five boroughs of New York City, Rockland County, Nassau County, Putnam County, and Suffolk County.

6. Who is the founder of Tilem & Associates?
Peter H. Tilem founded the firm. He previously worked as a prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney’s Office for more than a decade before entering private practice.

7. Does Tilem & Associates handle DWI cases?
Yes. The firm’s attorneys handle DWI, DUI, and DWAI cases, including the scientific and legal issues behind breath and blood testing.

8. Can Tilem & Associates help with both criminal and family law issues at the same time?
Yes. Because the firm is full service, it can manage related cases together, such as a criminal charge that also triggers a custody dispute, without needing to hire a second law firm.

9. Is Tilem & Associates available outside business hours?
Regular hours run Monday through Friday, but the firm is set up to respond to urgent matters like arrests as they come up, since legal emergencies do not follow a schedule.

10. Does the firm handle personal injury cases on contingency?
Personal injury cases are typically handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning the client generally does not pay unless the case is resolved successfully.

11. What is Tilem & Associates known for in the media?
Attorneys from the firm have appeared on CNN and 60 Minutes and have been covered by The New York Times, The New York Post, and The Washington Post for high profile cases.

12. How can someone contact Tilem & Associates?
Call 914-833-9785 or the toll free line at 877-377-8666, or fill out the contact form on the firm’s website to schedule a free consultation.

13. Does Tilem & Associates handle gun license and Second Amendment cases?
Yes. The firm represents clients in gun licensing proceedings, license suspension hearings, and cases involving firearm possession charges.

14. Is parking available near the Tilem & Associates office?
Yes. Several public parking garages and metered street parking are located within a few blocks of the office in downtown White Plains, and the White Plains Metro-North station is a short distance away.

15. What sets Tilem & Associates apart from larger law firms?
Its smaller, boutique structure means clients work directly with experienced attorneys rather than being passed to junior staff, combined with a trial record built from both prosecution and defense experience.