Steve concentrates his practice primarily in the defense of insureds and self-insureds involving casualty liability matters. His insurance coverage litigation experience includes the defense of reinsurers and excess insurers. Steve also focuses on a wide range of matters including construction litigation, professional liability, premises, product liability, toxic tort, automobile claims, and trucking and transportation litigation. He also serves as the Casualty Supervisor and Managing Attorney of the New York office, as well as a member of the firm's Board of Directors. In this capacity, he oversees the day-to-day operations for the entire office and team of attorneys ensuring that client matters are handled promptly, professionally and effectively.
Steve concentrates part of his practice in the area of retail liability. He has defended hundreds of matters involving premises liability, retail theft, product liability and wrongful termination suits. Steve has represented numerous national retail chains including supermarkets, clothing stores, pet store chains, as well as distributors and manufacturers.
Steve is admitted to practice law in New York State Court, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts. Steve has also litigated negligent roadway design cases in the New York Court of Claims.
In 1994 Steve earned his B.A. degree in history from Providence College. He then attended the University of Dayton School of Law earning his juris doctor in 1997. During law school Steve was first introduced to the insurance defense industry working as a summer associate for the Law Office of Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell in Tampa, Florida.
Results
New York Labor Law Case Dismissed
We obtained summary judgment in New York County in a case where the plaintiff, a construction laborer, was struck by a rolling dumpster and sustained severe crush injuries to his left foot and leg. The plaintiff, the dumpster company and the subcontractors alleged our general contractor client was responsible for overall site safety. After obtaining billing and work records for the project, the client confirmed that it did not have any involvement in the project, and we moved for summary judgment. After oral argument, the court granted our motion in its entirety and dismissed the case and all cross-claims.
Defense Melts Plaintiff's Snow and Ice Claim.
We obtained summary judgment in the Supreme Court of Rockland County, New York. The plaintiff slipped and fell while walking to her mailbox during a severe winter storm in January 2016. The plaintiff initiated a lawsuit against her homeowners association and its snow removal contractor. We moved for summary judgment on behalf of the defendants, asserting that the plaintiff’s claim was barred by the storm-in-progress doctrine. In opposition to our motion, the plaintiff alleged the defendants failed to adequately salt the premises, that the defendants were aware of the icy conditions, and that the storm had ended prior to the plaintiff’s accident. In granting the defendants’ motion for summary judgment, the court found the defendants established that there was a storm in progress at the time of the plaintiff’s accident and that their efforts to prevent ice accumulation and remove snow did not create a hazardous condition. According to the court, the plaintiff’s testimony was self-serving, contradictory and a feigned attempt to create a material issue of fact as to when the storm came to an end.
