Gilbert S. Bayonne, Esq.

Founder & Managing Partner

Gilbert Bayonne is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Bayonne Firm, a New York–based boutique law firm, dedicated to state and federal criminal defense and personal injury litigation. Since establishing the firm in 2020, Mr. Bayonne has represented hundreds of clients facing high-stakes felony and misdemeanor charges, guiding each case from initial intake through motion practice, negotiation, and trial. Known for his meticulous preparation and commanding courtroom presence, he has secured acquittals in serious criminal matters and recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients injured through negligence.

Mr. Bayonne routinely appears in courts throughout New York City and Long Island and is appointed to several of the most selective criminal defense panels, including:

  • Federal CJA Panel – Southern District of New York
  • Federal CJA Panel – Eastern District of New York
  • Felony 18B Panel – Bronx County
  • Homicide & Major Offense Panel – Nassau County

His dual experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney distinguishes his practice. Before founding The Bayonne Firm, Mr. Bayonne served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, where he worked in the Narcotics & Gang Investigations Bureau and Trial Bureau 60. In that role, he prosecuted hundreds of cases from intake to disposition, handled contested hearings and suppression motions, prepared civilian and expert witnesses, and managed heavy misdemeanor and felony caseloads. His background provides invaluable insight into law-enforcement strategy, evidence development, and the practical considerations that shape prosecutorial decision-making.

In addition to his courtroom achievements, Mr. Bayonne is a published legal writer whose work addresses race, fairness, and structural inequities in the legal system. His article “Avoiding The Fire Next Time: Foster v. Chatman and the Inevitability of Peremptory Prejudice” appeared in the Southern University Law Review, and his widely read essay “On Race and the Bar Exam” was published by Above the Law. He is also the Winner of The National Law Review’s Law Student Writing Competition (2017).

Mr. Bayonne remains deeply committed to protecting the constitutional rights of the accused, advocating for the injured, and delivering results through strategic, client-centered representation.

Samantha J. Bayonne, Esq.

Managing Partner

Samantha J. Bayonne, Esq. is the Managing Partner of The Bayonne Firm, LLC, where she leads a civil practice dedicated to Article 81 guardianship litigation, elder law advocacy, complex administrative proceedings, and personal injury litigation. In addition to her guardianship and elder law work, Mrs. Bayonne represents plaintiffs in auto accidents, trip-and-fall incidents, wrongful death cases, and other negligence matters, bringing a strategic, client-centered approach to each stage of litigation.

A trusted advocate in high-stakes matters involving capacity, personal needs, property management, and serious bodily injury, Mrs. Bayonne represents clients from initial intake through trial. She is routinely appointed by the courts in Nassau, Kings, and New York Counties to serve as Attorney for the Alleged Incapacitated Person and as Court Evaluator.

Mrs. Bayonne brings nearly a decade of experience as a litigator and strategic negotiator. Before joining her partner’s firm, she served as Supervising Attorney in the Civil Action Practice at The Bronx Defenders, where she led teams handling housing court litigation, administrative hearings, affirmative civil rights matters, and appeals. In that role, she trained and supervised attorneys, crafted litigation strategies, and co-facilitated the Defenders Academy program for civil, criminal, and family defense attorneys, with a focus on the Civil track. Her work centered on protecting vulnerable New Yorkers facing eviction, employment loss, benefits termination, and systemic government misconduct.

Earlier in her career, as a Staff Attorney with The Bronx Defenders, she represented clients in a wide array of civil matters intertwined with criminal and family court involvement. She collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams—including immigration, criminal defense, family defense, and social work—to develop holistic, client-centered advocacy.

In addition to her legal practice, Mrs. Bayonne serves as a Bar Exam Coach with VincoPrep, guiding aspiring attorneys through personalized study programs designed to improve performance and overcome the challenges faced by repeat test-takers.

Mrs. Bayonne earned her Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she was part of the selective Pre-Law Institute. She is admitted to practice in New York State and is fluent in Haitian Creole.

Driven by a commitment to equity, dignity, and client-centered representation, Mrs. Bayonne is recognized for her ability to navigate complex legal matters—including highly sensitive guardianship issues and serious personal injury cases—with clarity, compassion, and strategic precision. She is committed to trauma-informed advocacy that empowers individuals and protects their rights at every stage of the legal process.