Mr. Strikowsky chairs our Insurance Services Group. He provides counsel to clients facing exposure to claims involving tort liability, contract disputes and statutory violation, and litigates before trial and appellate courts. He regularly represents a major municipality in claims alleging abuse, assault, constitutional deprivation or negligence. He provides counsel to a self-insured program of fleet vehicles, and represents construction, real estate, transportation and health care companies in liability matters and commercial affairs. Mr. Strikowsky has worked for several life sciences companies in the defense of claims alleging defective goods, and has defended claims of toxic exposure, including mass tort matters. He specializes in the provision of counsel to insurance companies and policyholders regarding general liability insurance and insurance for property, professional liability, directors and officers, employment related practices, environmental impairment and health care risks. Mr. Strikowsky serves as independent counsel for policyholders and additional insureds that have received reservations of rights from insurance carriers. Areas Of Experience Constitutional Law/Municipal Liability Representations include: · Francis v. City of New York, 2006 WL 2091235 (2d Cir. 2006) · De'Leone v. City of New York, 45 A.D.3d 254, 845 N.Y.S.2d 241 (1st Dept. 2007) Insurance Coverage Mr. Strikowsky's practice focuses substantially on liability insurance coverages afforded by primary, excess/umbrella and other risk transfer contracts. He also: · Litigates disputes between and among insurers, policyholders and claimants concerning the availability or scope of coverage. · Regularly prepares opinion letters and drafts policy language for a variety of specialized coverages. · Advises on claim practices and regulatory compliance. · Handles disputes regarding enforcement of policy conditions. · Represents insurers in bad faith actions or suits seeking to impose extracontractual liability. · On behalf of excess carriers and corporate clients, serves as coordinating counsel monitoring the conduct of litigation and supervising local counsel. · Provides counsel to corporate risk managers concerning management and resolution of claims, as well as review of placements for global property and liability programs. Independent Counsel Mr. Strikowsky serves as independent counsel (also known as "Cumis counsel") to municipal agencies, policyholders and additional insureds where a conflict of interest exists between the client and an insurance company obliged to fund its defense. These circumstances typically arise upon an insurer's issuance of a reservation of rights, which may implicate the right of the insured to designate counsel of its own choosing at the insurer's expense. Appellate Litigation Representations include: · AIU Ins. Co. v. Gulf Ins. Co., 775 N.Y.S.2d 272 (N.Y.App. Div. 1st Dept. 2004) · National Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Pep Boys, 759 N.Y.S. 2d 42 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. 2003) · Tsong v. Penske Truck Leasing Co., 2006 WL 1574079 (N.J. App. Div. 2006) · Polarome Mfg., Co. Inc. v. Commerce & Indus. Co., 708 A.2d 450 (N.J. App. Div. 1998) Professional Affiliations · Risk and Insurance Management Society, associate Other Distinctions · Noted as a "New York Super Lawyer" in the area of insurance coverage, 2010 · Brooklyn Law Review, notes and comments editor · Brooklyn Law School Moot Court Honor Society, member (Quarterfinalist, National Product Liability Competition) News 01/01/2010, Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2010 10/10/2006, Schnader Grows in New York and Pittsburgh Articles 06/15/2009, "New Reporting Requirements Under MMSEA" Alerts 05/04/2009, New Mandatory Reporting Requirements Affect Companies Who Pay Money to Resolve Personal Injury Claims |