Albany, New York
Overview
Phillip G. Steck focuses his practice on litigation with a concentration in civil rights, employment, and commercial cases and has successfully advocated in major case trials and appeals for both plaintiffs and defendants. He has appeared before the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, New York State Court of Appeals, Appellate Division, Third Department, as well as all Federal and State Courts in New York State. Mr. Steck also lectures on employment and civil rights law for bar associations, private companies, and not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Steck is also a member of The New York State Assembly, representing parts of Albany & Schenectady counties.
Mr. Steck has been practicing employment and civil rights law for 25 years. He has wide-ranging experience in all of the employment-related matters listed on the firm’s employment law website www.employeerightsalbany.com.
Practice Areas
- Employment and Civil Rights Litigation
- Commercial and Business Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Criminal Defense
- Employment Law Counseling
Education and Admissions
EDUCATION
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
J.D. – 1984
Honors: National Moot Court Team
Law Review: University of Pennsylvania Law Review, 1982 – 1984 - Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
B.A. magna cum laude – 1981
Major: Government - Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce Capital Leadership Program, Albany, New York – 1993
BAR ADMISSIONS
- New York, 1985
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, 1985
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1996
- U.S. District Court Western District of New York, 2002
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit, 1992
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1993
Representative Cases
- Colistra v. Cairo-Durham Cent. Sch. Dist., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 149699 (NDNY 2018).
- Johnson v. Spencer, Civil Action No.: 17-568 (D.R.I. 2019)
- Hines v. City of Albany, 862 F.3d 215 (2nd Cir. 2017)
- McDonough v. Smith, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 135380 (NDNY 2016)
- De Oliveira v. Cairo-Durham Cent. Sch. Dist., 634 Fed. Appx. 320 (2nd Cir. 2016)
- Stagliano v. Herkimer Cent. Sch. Dist., 151 F. Supp. 3d 264 (NDNY 2015)
- Hines v. City of Albany, 613 Fed. Appx. 52 (2nd Cir. 2015)
- Matter of David Frueh Contr., LLC (BCI Constr., Inc.), 129 A.D.3d 1285 (3rd Dept. 2015)
- Matter of Thornton v. Saugerties Cent. Sch. Dist., 121 A.D.3d 1253 (3rd Dept. 2014)
- Barton Mines Co., L.L.C. v. Miller, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 125611 (NDNY 2014)
- Mudge v. Zugalla, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74617 (NDNY 2014)
- Stuto v. Kerber, 18 NY 3d 909 (2012)
- Hines v. City of Albany, 2011 US Dist LEXIS 68548 (NDNY 2011)
- Mclaughlin v. Pezzolla, 2010 US District LEXIS 232 (N.D.N.Y 2010)
- Hickey v. Myers, 2010 US District LEXIS 18281 (N.D.N.Y 2010)
- Aktas v. JMC Dev. Co., 2010 U.S. District LEXIS 59334 (N.D.N.Y 2010)
- Bennett v. Lucier, 2010 US Dist LEXIS 130308 (NDNY 2010)
- Bruno Machinery Co. v. Troy Die Cutting Co., 435 B.R. 819 (NPM 2010)
- Wheeler v. Parker, 546 F.Supp. 2d 7 (N.D.N.Y. 2008)
- Tabakman v. Vancouver Telephone Company, CV 07-3676 (C.D.CA 2008)
- Burns v. County of Schenectady, 2008 US District LEXIS 109648 (N.D.N.Y 2008)
- Palkovic v. Johnson, 281 Fed. Appx. 63 (2nd Cir. 2008)
- Cioffi v. Averill Park Central School District, 444 F.3d 158, cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 382 (2nd Cir. 2006)
- Alvarez v. New York Racing Association, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 49110 (N.D.N.Y. 2006)
- Mora v. RGB, Inc., 17 A.D.3d 849 (3rd Dept. 2005)
- Warnke v. Warner-Lambert Co., 21 A.D.3d 654 (3rd Dept. 2005)
- Ayco Co., L.P. v. Walton, 3 A.D.3d 635 (3rd Dept. 2004)
- Sunward Electronics v. McDonald, 362 F.3d 17 (2nd Cir. 2004)
- Matter of Avella v. Batt, 6 Misc. 3d 158 (Albany County 2004)
- People v. Wood, 299 A.D.2d 739 (3rd Dept. 2002)
- Truelove v. Northeast Capital Corp., 95 N.Y.2d 220 (Ct. App. 2000)
- Mohawk Minden Ins. Co. v. Ferry, 251 A.D.2d 846 (3rd. Dept. 1998)
- United States v. Zeppieri, 155 F.3d 44 (2nd Cir. 1998)
- Capital Medical Systems v. Fuji Medical Systems, 239 A.D.2d 743 (3rd Dept. 1997)
- People v. Sydney, 195 A.D.2d 763 (3rd Dept. 1993)
- Capital Imaging Assoc. v. Mohawk Valley Medical Assoc., 996 F.2d 537 (2nd Cir. 1993)
Professional Associations and Memberships
- National Employment Lawyers Association
- Albany County Bar Association, Director, 1998 – 2008
- New York State Bar Association
- Shaker Heritage Society, Board of Directors, 2000 – 2008
Speaking Engagements
- Employment Law for the General Practitioner and Corporate Counselor, NYSBA, Spring 2011, Fall 2013
- First Amendment Rights of Public Employees, NYSPHSAA, 2010
- Labor & Employment Law Update, Sterling, 2004 – Present
- First Amendment Rights of Public Employees, NYSPHSAA, 2004
- Emerging Trends in Employment Law, NELA, 2004 – Present
- Basic Course on Employment Law, Columbia County Bar Association, 2002
Honors and Awards
- Hudson Valley Super Lawyers, 2008 – 2015
- AV Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell
Pro Bono Activities
- Chair, Grievance Committee, Albany County Bar Association, 2004 – 2008
- President, The Center for Family and Youth (Project STRIVE), 1999 – 2007
- Shaker Heritage Society (Board of Directors 2000-2008)
