Saul Edelstein was an original.
More than the founder of The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Brown, he was a beacon of integrity, warmth, and resilience for everyone privileged to have known him. Born in Brooklyn on November 2, 1937, Saul embodied the very spirit of his beloved New York City —dynamic, tenacious, and brimming with charisma. A master storyteller, he enjoyed sharing his perspectives on life in a family of lawyers and his many colorful experiences as a quintessentially Brooklyn Lawyer.
Inheriting his passion for the law and commitment to helping others from his father, Paul, the younger Edelstein attended Brooklyn’s Erasmus High School and would go on to earn degrees from Brooklyn College and then Brooklyn Law School in 1961. Like his father, Saul initially ventured into real estate law, but it wasn’t long before he discovered his true calling lie in family and matrimonial matters.
Renowned for his sharp wit and profound empathy, Saul transformed the courtroom into a stage where he fiercely advocated for his clients’ rights and dignity. Known as the “The Dean of Divorce,” and a “Brooklyn Sherpa,” he was widely recognized as someone with whom other attorneys seeking to navigate the insulated Brooklyn legal arena would be wise to partner with. His approach to his profession was as genuine as it was effective. With a cellphone in one hand and an egg roll in the other, he broke down the barriers between lawyer and client, offering comfort and camaraderie alongside his legal expertise. “Call me 24/7 if you need me,” he would say, embodying a commitment to his clients that went beyond the transactional.
Saul’s legal career was not just about successful outcomes; it was about building bridges. He had a unique ability to maintain open communication among even the most contentious parties, minimizing stress and maximizing understanding. With appearances on 60 Minutes, Larry King Live, and Howard Stern, his public persona garnered as much recognition and respect as the many famous individuals he represented, the lesser-known clients whose causes he championed, and the high-profile cases he litigated.
The second in a three-generation family legacy of lawyers, Saul’s’ moral compass, his passion for the law, and his commitment to helping others unable to help themselves lives on in his beloved sons, Adam, Seth and Paul. Through them, The Story of Saul continues, a rich narrative woven into the fabric of Brooklyn’s legal landscape and the countless lives he touched.