Steven M. Christman

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 is also serves as the firm's casualty supervising attorney in the New York office.

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.

Year Joined

2008

Results

New York Labor Law case dismissed.

New York Construction and Labor Law
July 25, 2019

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.

Defense Melts Plaintiff's Snow and Ice Claim.

General Liability
December 31, 2018

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.

Thought Leadership

Federal Court Notice Standard in Premises Cases

New York
Premises and Retail Liability
General Liability
March 2, 2015

Guidelines on Dealing With Suspected Shoplifters

New York
Premises and Retail Liability
May 19, 2014

Expert Disclosure in New York: Navigating the Potential Pitfalls To Avoid Preclusion

General Liability
June 1, 2010
New York - General Practice Key Points: Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 2, June 2010

Publications

Federal Court Notice Standard in Premises Cases, The New York Law Journal, March 2, 2015

Guidelines on Dealing With Suspected Shoplifters, New York Law Journal, May 19, 2014