August
2025
Gfeller Laurie LLP Bolsters its Sports & Recreation Practice Group Opening an Office in Denver and Adding Three Trial Attorneys
Gfeller Laurie LLP is pleased to announce that it has bolstered its well-known Sports & Recreation practice group in New York and Colorado opening an office in Denver, Colorado and adding three highly experienced trial attorneys. Steve Zweig and Maryjo Zweig have been named Senior Counsel and Brian Birenbach has been named Counsel.
“We are very excited to welcome Steve, Maryjo, and Brian to the firm. They are among the most qualified attorneys handling ski litigation and risk management in the United States,” said co-founding partner, Charles F. Gfeller. “For years they have worked to protect the interests of ski areas in New York and we plan to accept the torch from them with pride and a sense of continued responsibility. As a firm, we are also eager to expand the reach of our ski litigation presence into Colorado.”
Gfeller Laurie’s Sports & Recreation practice represents sports and recreational facilities throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Clients include a wide variety of recreational facilities and operators, including, among others, ski areas (winter and summer operations), ice arenas, parasail operators, jet ski operators, rock climbing facilities, zip line operators, gyms, equine facilities (including internationally known race tracks), auto race tracks, bike parks, scholastic/college/university operated sports and recreational facilities, camps, fairs, festivals, carnivals, and water parks.
“The transition of our practice into Gfeller Laurie is a natural fit. The firm is a nationally known leader in sports and recreational risk management and litigation, particularly with respect to the ski industry. Their existing bench and footprint provide the ideal opportunity for us and the loyal clients that we have served for so many years,” said Steve Zweig.
Steve Zweig has worked as a trial lawyer for close to 40 years and is a past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys. Admitted to practice in New York, he has defended ski areas, other recreational facilities, and recreational product manufacturers and distributors at trial throughout New York in state and federal court. Steve is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in New York.
Maryjo Zweig has been practicing law for over 35 years and is also a past President of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys. A seasoned trial attorney, she has successfully defended ski areas, river rafting outfits, and other recreational facilities in state and federal courts throughout New York and Colorado. Maryjo is admitted to practice in New York and Colorado.
Brian Birenbach focuses his practice on product liability, personal injury, sports and recreational liability, professional liability, and premises litigation. He also has extensive experience handling commercial, construction, employment, civil rights, and first-party insurance matters. A member of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys, he is a frequent speaker on issues relating to ski industry liability and is admitted to practice in New York, Colorado, and Florida.
Steve Zwieg, Maryjo Zweig and Brian Birenbach (L-R)