REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • Obtained dismissal of alleged civil rights claim against witnesses who testified for the prosecution in criminal case where defendant was acquitted. McDonough v. Smith, 2016 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 135380 (NDNY 2016). [Phillip G. Steck]
  • Hearing ordered concerning whether District Attorney falsified documents. Matter of Czajka v Dellehunt, 125 A.D.3d 1177 (3rd Dep’t 2015). [David C. Rowley]
  • Obtained dismissal of civil rights action against witness in State criminal proceeding. McDonough v. Smith,2016 U.S. Dist.LEXIS 135380 (NDNY 2016) [Phillip G. Steck, Brett D. French ]
  • Successfully defended against motion to dismiss in federal civil rights action for violation of right to due process of law. Mudge v. Zugalla, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74617 (NDNY 2014) – [Phillip G. Steck]
  • Successful appeal of decision denying dismissal of civil service claim by former school district employee whose job was transferred to BOCES. Matter of Thornton v. Saugerties Cent. Sch. Dist., 121 A.D.3d 1253 (3rd Dept. 2014) – [Phillip G. Steck, Carlo A. C. de Oliveira]
  • Obtained preliminary injunction against municipality in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act in which municipality was ordered to approve zoning application for facility serving individuals with mental illness. Step by Step, Inc. v. City of Ogdensburg, 7:15-CV-925 (N.D.N.Y. April 5, 2016) (Decision). [Carlo A. C. de Oliveira].
  • Obtained judgment against City of Albany for taking client’s vehicle without due process of law in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Hines v. City of Albany, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 68548 (N.D.N.Y 2011). [Phillip G. Steck]
  • Jury determination that whistleblower’s speech was protected activity under the First Amendment and that her speech was a substantial factor in the termination of her employment. [Phillip G. Steck]
  • 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]