Commercial and Defense Litigation
• Successfully defended appeal of Bronx County Supreme Court dismissal to the Appellate Division - First Department. Decision affirmed in all respects. (May 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)[Brian W. Matula, David C. Rowley]
• 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, Lindsay N. Browning]
• Granted summary judgment dismissing personal injury case seeking over $1 Million in damages (Albany County Supreme Court 2009). [David C. Rowley, Brian W. Matula, Lindsay N. Browning]
• Achieved $100,000 collection from gas station on Killington Access Road (Rutland County (VT) Superior Court 2009). [Brian W. Matula, Craig H. Norman]
Civil Rights
• 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) [Brian W. Matula, Phillip G. Steck]. (Write up)
• 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. (May 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
• Obtained favorable settlement for individual injured in motor vehicle accident. (Schenectady County Supreme Court 2010)[Lindsay N. Browning, 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.
• Attorney Clifford Rohde presented zoning and legal information on a panel relating to the siting of wind energy facilities at the February 2009 Annual Meeting of the Association of Towns of the State of New York.
• 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).
Community Involvement
• Staff and attorneys from Cooper Erving & Savage LLP enthusiastically take part in the CDPHP Workforce Team Challenge for 7th 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.
Staff
• Cooper Erving & Savage LLP mourns the sudden loss of Bob Patrick.
