Paul Joseph McAllister, 78, of Garnerville, NY, passed away on April 3, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children.

Paul was born in New York City on July 19, 1947. He was a graduate of New York University and Brooklyn Law School and spent his early career with the Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights and Criminal Defense Divisions in the Bronx. He went on to open his own law practice where he continued his life’s work over the next 40+ years as a respected advocate and trial attorney. During his lengthy career, he represented indigent defendants as a member of the New York State Court Assigned Counsel panel and the Assigned Counsel panels for the U.S. District Courts in the Southern and Eastern Districts. He also served as a member of the elite New York State Capital Defender’s Office panel of lawyers assigned to represent indigent defendants in capital punishment cases until capital punishment was ruled unconstitutional in New York. He was a frequent guest lecturer for Professor Barry Scheck’s Criminal Defense Clinic at Cardozo Law School for many years and also guest lectured at NYU Law School. He had a number of high profile legal cases during his career and although he may not have had the public name recognition of some of his peers, he certainly had the respect, professional recognition, and esteem of those peers, and of colleagues, adversaries, the judiciary, and the many clients he so capably represented.

Paul was passionate about criminal justice and was a skilled negotiator and talented litigator. He was a strong believer in every person’s constitutional right to the presumption of innocence and to a fair and impartial trial. He felt incredibly fortunate to be able to spend his professional career doing what he loved most and believed in for so many years. He was a fierce advocate for his clients, as well as any family member or friend in need of assistance. He would not back down from a fight, a trait that characterized him throughout his life including his most recent battle with a terminal illness.

As a young man, Paul spent much of his personal time enjoying the out-of-doors, hiking, camping, and exploring the world. He loved the beaches of Cape Cod and looked forward for decades to his annual trips to the Cape, usually in caravan with extended family and friends, and certain to include beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great meals, much laughter, and other antics. He also looked forward to frequent visits and extended conversations with those he cherished and was always on hand with an entertaining tale or an abstract piece of knowledge.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Teodora, his children Melissa McAllister Wieler (Brian), Paul J. McAllister, Jr. (Emily), and Andrew McAllister (Gina), grandchildren Walter, Emily, and Lyra, and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

A viewing will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Putnam Valley, New York, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 9, immediately followed by a funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to MSK Giving in Paul’s memory.