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Overview

Overview

For over 39 years, Steve has worked as a trial lawyer. He has defended ski areas, other recreational facilities, and recreational product manufacturers and distributors at trial throughout New York in state and federal court. He has prepared and argued more than 25 appeals in state and federal court. He has tried cases to verdict in 17 different New York counties, including the metropolitan counties of Kings, New York and Queens. He has also tried cases to verdict in the United States District Court for the Western and Northern Districts of New York.

Steve is a former President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys. 

Steve is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in New York.

Steve frequently presents on risk management and other issues to industry groups, including the Ski Areas of New York and the National Ski Areas Association. He is an avid skier, hiker and snowboarder. Steve splits his time between New York and Colorado with his wife, Maryjo, and their combined six children.

Experience

Experience

Representative Experience

  • Obtained summary judgment in a catastrophic ski injury case where settlement demand was $10 million. The case involved an adult intermediate skier who slid off trail and collided with a tree, sustaining severe lower extremity and pelvic injuries. Plaintiff opposed the motion with affidavits from three experts. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Third Department affirmed the grant of summary judgment.
  • Successfully defended a resort in the Hudson Valley in a damages only trial. The plaintiff, a woman in her fifties, sustained severe facial injuries and nasal damage, which required several surgeries to repair. Plaintiff’s last demand before trial was $6,000,000. Plaintiff’s attorney refused to negotiate until the primary limits were offered. Jury returned a verdict of $175,000.
  • Obtained a directed verdict for a ski resort at the conclusion of  a jury trial in a metropolitan New York county. The case was a retrial after the successful appeal of a case that had resulted in an eight figure verdict at the conclusion of the first jury trial.
  • Obtained a defense verdict for a ski resort in a jury trial in a metropolitan New York county involving a four and a half year old who fell 25 feet out of a chairlift while sitting next to her ski instructor. 

Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Insurance Law 
  • Super Lawyer in Upstate New York, Personal Injury Defense: General 2009-2025

Professional Affiliations

  • Association of Ski Defense Attorneys – Past President
  • National Ski Areas Association
  • Ski Areas of New York
  • Erie County Bar Association – Former Director

Capabilities

Capabilities

Practice Areas

Credentials

Credentials

Admitted to Practice

  • New York
  • United States District Court, Northern District of New York
  • United States District Court, Western District of New York
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • United States District Court, Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

 

 

 

 

 

Education

  • University at Buffalo School of Law, J.D.
  • Syracuse University, B.A. in History, cum laude

 

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