Roger V. Archibald, the founder and lead litigator at the firm was born in San Fernando, the Southern “Capital” of the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean. At age 11, he gained admittance to the Queens Royal College, Trinidad’s premiere secondary school. In 1975, he migrated to the United States with his family, and settled in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York where he attended the Boys and Girls High School.
In high school, Roger multi-tasked decades before that phrase gained popularity. He maintained a part-time job at a local supermarket; was elected senior class president; and was selected to participate in a High School Enrichment Program at Brooklyn College, where he took six credits of college level courses. Roger went on to graduate in the top one percent (1%) of his high school class.
Mr. Archibald received his Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications from Brooklyn College in 1982. During his years at Brooklyn College, he was active in Student Government and in particular, the Caribbean Students Union (“CSU”) where he helped champion the cause of minority student organizations for financial parity and inclusion in the college’s overall budgetary scheme. In 1980, CSU and Mr. Archibald were in part responsible for electing the first person of color to the office of Student Government President in Brooklyn College’s fifty (50) year history.
From 1982 until 1990, Roger was employed in the pharmaceutical industry as a pharmaceutical sales representative. He marketed medications for a host of endocrine, circulatory, orthopedic, and infectious disorders to both physicians and hospitals in New York City.
In 1987, Roger was admitted to Brooklyn Law School’s evening division. Having accelerated his graduation by a year by attending successive summer session courses, Roger graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1990. He was admitted as member to the New York Sate Bar in 1991.
Roger started his legal career in 1990 at the Big Six Accounting Firm of Coopers and Lybrand (now Price Waterhouse Coopers), where he analyzed complex statutory and regulatory taxing schemes in addition to advising Fortune 100 clients on tax compliance issues.
In 1992, he co-founded the boutique law firm of Archibald and Hap. The firm limited its practice to Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Probate and Real Estate. The firm disbanded after four years, at which time, the present firm of Roger Victor Archibald, PLLC was founded.
In 1996, Roger testified, at the invitation of United States Representative Hon. Edolphus Towns (D,NY), before the Congressional Black Caucus on Capitol Hill regarding the negative impact that the proposed, Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA), would have on the immigrant community in general and the Caribbean Community in particular, who resided in the Congressman’s electoral district.
Throughout his twenty plus year career, Roger has been tapped as a legal analyst on both radio and television in New York; he has been a keynote speaker at law school graduations as well as high school and middle school graduations; he has served as a judge for Moot Court Competitions at New York Law School; and has chaired panel discussions at Brooklyn Law School and St. Johns University Law School.
Roger has been an adjunct professor at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, New York, since 1992. Courses taught by Mr. Archibald include:
- Human Resources Law
- Business Law
- Negligence Law
- Legal Aspects of Healthcare Administration
During Mr. Archibald’s tenure at St. Joseph’s College, students have consistently ranked him in the top ten percent of professors in recognition of his efficacy and clarity as an educator.
In 2006 Roger took a six month sabbatical from his practice and enrolled in the Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica. Upon successful completion of the programmatic requirements, he was admitted to the Jamaican Bar, which also makes him eligible to practice in any Commonwealth Jurisdiction.
Roger has also served as legal counsel to the Government of St. Lucia and the Government of Grenada. He is currently engaged as legal counsel to United States Representative Yvette D. Clarke, (D,NY), of the 9th Congressional District.
In recognition of his commitment of service to the community, Mr. Archibald has been honored by the following entities:
- Barrister of the Year Award – West Indian American Progressive Action Council
- Boys and Girls High School Alumni Association
- Brooklyn Law School
- Brooklyn Law School Black Law Students Association
- Caribbean Women’s Health Association
- Mid Brooklyn Civic Association
- New York State Assembly
- New York Public School 156/Intermediate School 392
- St. Josephs College
Mr. Archibald has been a board member for the following organizations:
- Brooklyn Law School Alumni Association
- Caribbean Women’s Health Association
- Flatbush YMCA
Bar Admissions
Roger V. Archibald is a licensed member of the New York State Bar since 1991 and he is also licensed to practice law in Jamaica, West Indies, and is eligible to practice in any Commonwealth Jurisdiction.
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
- Member of the Brooklyn Bar Association
- Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- Member of the Jamaican Bar Association (West Indies)
He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.