A Brooklyn jury awarded Mr. Vargas $17.5 million for the City of New York’s violation of his civil rights for failing to provide him medical care while in custody. The jury found that the police officers involved failed to provide the necessary medical treatment and awarded $17.5 million to Mr. Vargas.

Jason Kaufer was first drawn to the law during a Mock Trial Competition in his senior year of high school. The adrenaline and energy of the courtroom sparked a passion for litigation that would shape his career for decades to come.
Jason earned his undergraduate degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, in 1990, and went on to receive his J.D. from New York Law School in 1994. While in law school, he interned with the NYC Law Department’s Medical Malpractice Unit, defending city hospitals in complex litigation. That internship became a part-time position he held throughout law school, further cementing his interest in cases that involved both legal strategy and medical understanding.
For the first 10 years of his career, Jason represented hospitals and doctors in medical malpractice cases. But ultimately, he felt compelled to use his skills to help those harmed by negligence. He ran his own law firm for nine years, focusing on representing individuals injured in accidents and victims of malpractice. Since then, Jason has continued to advocate for injured clients at other firms and joined Harris, Keenan & Goldfarb in December 2024.
Over the past 20 years, Jason has recovered more than $25 million for clients through verdicts, settlements, and mediations—including one of New York State’s top 100 verdicts. While results matter, Jason finds the greatest reward in receiving heartfelt messages from clients whose lives were changed by his work.
Jason is proud of the relationships he’s built throughout his career—with clients, colleagues, adversaries, and judges alike. He values the reputation he has earned for being competent, professional, and trustworthy, and he brings that integrity to every case he takes on.
Outside of the office, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and son. Whether he’s cheering from the sidelines at his children’s sporting events or relaxing on the beach with his family and their sheepadoodle, Jason makes the most of his time away from the courtroom.
Education
- New York Law School, J.D., 1994
- Concordia University, B.A., 1990
Professional Associations
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA)
- New York City Bar Association (NYCBA)
Admitted
- New York State
- U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York

Jason Kaufer
Lawyer
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