Commercial and Defense Litigation
• Successfully defended against motion by general contractor to divest federal court of jurisdiction to hear construction dispute (Northern District NY 2010). [ Phillip G. Steck, Kimberly G. Finnigan] ( Decision)
• Successfully defended appeal of Bronx County Supreme Court dismissal to the Appellate Division in a case involving failure to adhere to contractual provisions for the manufacturing of sausage (Appellate Division First Department 2010). [ David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula]
• Reached favorable settlement on behalf of business and owner in case involving contractual dispute over heavy equipment rental (Albany County Supreme Court 2010). [ David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula]
• Granted dismissal of action seeking $7 Million for breach of contract and loss of past and future profits (Bronx County Supreme Court 2009). [ David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula]
• Granted summary judgment dismissing personal injury case seeking over $1 Million in damages (Albany County Supreme Court 2009). [ David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula]
• Achieved $100,000 collection from gas station on Killington Access Road (Rutland County (VT) Superior Court 2009). [ Brian W. Matula]
Civil Rights
• Successfully defended against Motion for Summary Judgment in school teacher's age discrimination case (Northern District NY 2010). [ Brian W. Matula]
• Successfully defended against Motion for Summary Judgment. Equal protection claim for selective reassessment on behalf of property owners continues to trial against Town of Shandaken (Ulster County Supreme Court 2010). [ Brian W. Matula]
• Federal District Court ruled that former College Dean stated a claim under 42 USC 1981 and Title VI that he was retaliated against for protesting that college admissions and retention policies discriminated against African-American students (Northern District NY 2010). [ Phillip G. Steck, Kimberly G. Finnigan] ( Decision)
• Obtained judgment in federal court against the City of Schenectady Police Department and individual officers for the excessive use of force (Northern District NY 2010). [ Phillip G. Steck, Brian W. Matula] ( Press Release)
• Successfully defended against summary judgment in favor of employee based on constitutional claim involving right to free speech (Northern District NY 2009). [ Phillip G. Steck, Kimberly G. Finnigan] ( Decision)
• Cooper Erving & Savage LLP Helps Former Athletic Director to Settle First Amendment Lawsuit Against Averill Park School District for $567,500 (Northern District NY 2006). [ Phillip G. Steck] ( Decision)
• Obtained judgment against School District for retaliating against employee for her speech on the school budget (Northern District NY 2007). [ Phillip G. Steck] ( Press Release)
• Obtained summary judgment in federal court in favor of employee based on constitutional claim involving deprivation of procedural due process rights (Northern District NY 2008). [ Phillip G. Steck]
• Obtained favorable jury verdict for violation of prisoner's constitutional rights in federal district court (Northern District NY 2007). [ Brian W. Matula]
Labor and Employment
• Obtained reinstatement to civil service position for individual after probable cause determination from NYS Division of Human Rights (2010). [ Brian W. Matula]
• Granted judgment against employer for Labor Law violations, unpaid wages, liquidated damages and commissions (Columbia County Supreme Court 2009). [ Brian W. Matula]
• Obtained EEOC probable cause determination involving discrimination on the basis of disability resulting in favorable settlement (2009). [ Phillip G. Steck, Brian W. Matula]
• Obtained EEOC probable cause determination involving discrimination on the basis of race resulting in favorable settlement (2009). [ Phillip G. Steck, Kimberly G. Finnigan]
• Successfully defended against summary judgment in federal court in case involving sexual harassment (Northern District NY 2008). [ Phillip G. Steck, Brian W. Matula]
Wills, Trusts, and Estates
• Partner Susan Carroll Picotte presented "Practical Skills - Introduction to Estate Planning" at the October 20, 2009 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar organized by the New York State Bar Association.
• Partner Susan Carroll Picotte presented "What You Need to Know as a Court-Appointed Guardian Ad Litem" at the December 3, 2008 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar organized by the Trusts and Estates Law Section and Committee on Continuing Legal Education of the New York State Bar Association.
• Partner Susan Carroll Picotte presented information on preparing for estate administration at the October 23, 2008 "Practical Skills-Probate & the Administration of Estates" Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar organized by the New York State Bar Association.
Personal Injury Litigation
• Successfully defended appeal of summary judgment decision in motor vehicle accident to Appellate Division (Third Department 2010). [ David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula]
• Obtained favorable settlement for individual injured in motor vehicle accident (Schenectady County Supreme Court 2010). [ David C. Rowley]
• Achieved favorable settlement for client for injuries suffered in car accident (Albany County Supreme Court 2009). [ David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula]
• Achieved favorable settlement for client injured in a golf cart accident (2009). [ Terrance P. Christenson, Brian W. Matula]
• Obtained favorable settlement for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accident (Sup. Ct. Saratoga County 2008). [ Brian W. Matula]
Land Use and Planning
• Partner Scott Olson presented testimony, on behalf of the New York State Wireless Association, at the August 12, 2009 New York State Senate Select Committee on Budget and Tax Reform Roundtable on Modernizing New York State's Telecommunications Taxes.
• Cooper Erving & Savage LLP joins New York's Leading Clean Energy Advocacy Association.
Attorney Accomplishments
• Partner Susan Carroll Picotte (Wills, Trusts, and Estates) and Partner Phillip G. Steck (Employment and Labor Law) are listed in the Top Attorneys in the Hudson Valley section of the Super Lawyers directory.
• Attorney Kimberly G. Finnigan is awarded the Empire State Counsel Award for pro bono service (January 2009).
• Attorney Kimberly G. Finnigan is awarded the Gemini Friend of Equinox Award for extensive pro bono commitment and leadership (October 2008).
• Kimberly G. Finnigan inamed as an honoree of the Capital District Business Review 40 Under Forty Award (March 2011).
The Capital District Business Review has selected Kimberly Finnigan, Esq. as an honoree of this year’s Business Review 40 Under Forty Award, which recognizes young professionals and leaders under the age of forty who exemplify leadership in their business accomplishments and community involvement. The 40 individuals are selected out of hundreds of nominations. Ms. Finnigan will be recognized at a luncheon held on May 12, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany.
An attorney at Cooper Erving & Savage, Ms. Finnigan counsels and represents clients in all facets of immigration law, civil rights, economic development, and private and public sector labor and employment law, including hiring, discipline and discharge, personnel policies, employment contracts and severance agreements, federal and state leave laws, and litigation in State Federal courts. She represents clients throughout the North Country and the Capital Region and serves as Counsel to the Capital Region Local Government Council. She is also a frequent lecturer on legal matters.
Ms. Finnigan is also an active member of the community and currently serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Equinox, Inc. She was recently appointed to the Town of Bethlehem’s 20/20 Advisory Committee, which focuses on the long-term strategic direction of the Town government, and is a member of the Leadership Tech Valley class of 2011. Ms. Finnigan is a graduate of Middlebury College (B.A., magna cum laude) and William & Mary School of Law (J.D.).
The law firm of Cooper Erving & Savage LLP has provided dedicated legal counsel and representation for nearly 200 years to individuals and businesses in the Capital Region and greater Upstate New York region.
Community Involvement
• Staff and attorneys from Cooper Erving & Savage LLP enthusiastically take part in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge for 7 th straight year! (May 2010).
• Kimberly G. Finnigan presented on the New York Main Street Grant Program to the Center for Economic Growth's Local Government Council (October 2009).
• Cooper Erving & Savage LLP (the youth baseball team) Takes Home Championship.
Firm
• Cooper Erving & Savage LLP mourns the loss of Richard Rowley. ( obituary)
• Cooper Erving & Savage LLP mourns the sudden loss of Bob Patrick.
