Steven Verveniotis graduated from New York University in 1982 and obtained his J.D. degree from New York Law School in 1986. He was admitted to practice before New York's State Courts as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the United States District Court in 1986, and he was admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1996.

Steven is a seasoned litigator with proven success at trials, motion practice and appeals in the areas of insurance coverage litigation and professional liability defense. He has successfully represented numerous insurers and a variety of professionals (including attorneys, agents, brokers, accountants and others) before the state and federal courts of New York.  Steven has lectured at several New York State Bar and other seminars on insurance coverage issues and professional liability litigation.

Recent reported victories in the area of insurance coverage litigation include:

• U.S. Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Falcon et al. 2007 WL 1040028 (S.D.N.Y. 2007) Trial before Judge Haight resulted in judgment for the insurance company upholding disclaimers on the separate notice obligations of insureds under a general liability policy and separate owners and contractors protective liability policy.
• Atlantic General Contracting v. U.S. Liability Insurance Group, 24 A.D.3d 480, 806 N.Y.S.2d 225 (2d Dep’t 2006) New York law applies to coverage litigation concerning a New York accident even though the insured was from New Jersey and policy was delivered in New Jersey.
• U.S. Liability Ins. Co. v. Mountain Valley Ins. Co., 371 F.Supp.2d 554 (S.D.N.Y. 2005).  Policy of insurance issued as excess above primary policy issued to vehicle lessee was above policy of vehicle lessor.
• Ins. Corp. of NY v U.S. Underwriters Ins. Co., 11 A.D.3d 235, 782 N.Y.S.2d 432 (1st Dep’t 2004). Certificate of insurance is not sufficient to raise issue of fact as to purported status of additional insured.
• NYCHA v U.S. Underwriters Ins. Co., 7 A.D.3d 393, 776 N.Y.S.2d 468 (1st Dep’t 2004). Court upheld policy limitation of coverage for particular work at particular job site.
• Webster v. Mount Vernon Fire Insurance Company, 368 F.3d 209 (2d Cir. 2004). Notice to insurer by husband does not satisfy the separate notice obligation of the wife.
• U.S. Liability Ins. Co. v. Winchester Fine Arts Services, Inc., 337 F.Supp.2d 435 (S.D.N.Y. 2004). Court upheld excess insurer’s disclaimer for late notice in case where claim was known to be serious and above primary’s limits from inception of lawsuit.
• U.S. Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Affordable Housing, Foundation Inc., 88 Fed. Appx. 441, 2004 WL 287151 (2nd Cir. 2004) affirming 256 F. Supp.2d 176 (SDNY 2003). Trial Court found and Court of Appeals affirmed application of clear and unambiguous independent contractor exclusion.
• Nationwide Insurance Co. v. Empire Ins. Co., 294 A.D.2d 546, 742 N.Y.S.2d 387 (2d Dep't 2002). Additional insured has a separate obligation to provide notice to insurance company.
• U.S. Liability Ins. Co. v. 204 W.78th St. Housing Corp., No. 01 Civ. 1033, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 210 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 7, 2002).   Disclaimer upheld on lack of timely notice to insurer.

Other victories, on a variety of claims, including professional liability claims, include:

• Davis v. Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District, 2006 WL 657038 (E.D.N.Y.) affirmed 2007 WL 926865 (2d Cir. 2007). Discrimination claims against school district and administrators dismissed as unfounded.
• Gonzalo v Joline Estates Homeowners Assoc., 29 A.D.3d 631, 815 N.Y.S.2d 181 (2d Dep’t 2006) Summary judgment for defendant in personal injury action affirmed by Appellate Division where plaintiff’s testimony and expert’s opinion were insufficient to prove a defective condition or proximate causation.
• 39 College v Transpac, 27 A.D.3d 454, 810 N.Y.S.2d 520 (2d Dep’t 2006) Leave to amend pleading allowed in case concerning claims arising from lien on real property premised on allegedly improper mortgage.
• Melnitzky v. Owen, 19 A.D.3d 201, 796 N.Y.S.2d 612 (1st Dep’t 2005). Legal malpractice and Judiciary Law claims dismissed based upon documentary evidence showing appropriate conduct by attorney.
• Lo v Gong Park Realty Corp., 16 A.D.3d 553, 792 N.Y.S.2d 145 (2d Dep’t 2005). Default judgment vacated by Appellate Division where service was on secretary of state and defendant was able to show lack of receipt of summons and complaint because defendant had moved from address filed with secretary of state.
• Crown Fire Supply Co., Inc. v. Cronin, 306 A.D.2d 430,761 N.Y.S.2d 495 (2d Dep't 2003). Defamation case against Fire Chief/Fire Department dismissed on privilege/immunity grounds.
• DiBlasio v. Chesterton et al, 302 A.D. 2d 486, 755 N.Y.S. 251 (2d Dep't 2003). Claims by school employee against school for false imprisonment dismissed.
• Friedman v Clarkstown Central School District , 01 Civ. 10646 (SHS), USDC, SDNY, Trial 2002 affirmed 75 Fed. Appx. 815, 2003 WL 22134539 (2nd Cir. (N.Y.)), 181 Ed. Law Rep. 418 (2nd Cir. 2003). On trial for injunctive relief, the District Court upheld the School District's denial of request for exemption from immunization. The Second Circuit affirmed on facts and law.
• Rachimi v. Robinson et al, Index No. 6033868/97. Trial before the Supreme Court, NY County (Justice Jane Solomon) in 2002. Defense verdict in legal malpractice action stemming from commercial litigation.
• Dweck v Mann, 283 A.D.2d 292, 727 N.Y.S.2d 58 (1st Dep't 2001).
  Malpractice claims dismissed on showing of reasonable strategy and lack of damages.
• Haggerty v Burns, 282 A.D.2d 500, 728 N.Y.S.2d 374 (2d Dep't 2001).
  Sanctions obtained against plaintiff deemed "provident exercise of discretion."
• Wolkstein v. Morgenstern, 275 A.D.2d 635, 713 N.Y.S.2d 171 (1st Dep't 2000). Emotional distress and psychological damages are not recoverable in legal malpractice.
• Polovy v. Duncan, 269 A.D.2d 111, 702 N.Y.S.2d 61 (1st Dep't 2000).
  Director/President of school had no basis for malpractice claim against school's attorney.
• Cepeda v. Trolman & Glaser, P.C., 259 A.D.2d 355, 687 N.Y.S.2d 67 (1st Dep't 1999). Malpractice claims dismissed upon showing of reasonable attorney judgment at trial.
• Hamond v. Marks Shron & Co., 249 A.D.2d 364, 671 N.Y.S.2d 106 (2d Dep't 1998). Malpractice case against accountant dismissed for lack of duty owed by accountant to limited partner.
• Rodriguez v. Weprin, et al, 116 F.3d 62 (2d Cir. 1997). Plaintiff failed to prove claims of civil rights violations alleged against attorneys, judge, and clerks.
• In re Mediators Inc., 105 F.3d 822 (2d Cir. 1997). Neither sole shareholder nor creditors of corporate debtor can sue attorneys for aiding and abetting sole shareholder to defraud corporation.
• Haggerty v. Burns, 244 A.D.2d 458, 665 N.Y.S.2d 913 (2d Dep't 1997). Claims of abuse of process and malicious prosecution against attorney dismissed.
• Aglira v. Julien Schlesinger, et al., 214 A.D.2d 178, 631 N.Y.S.2d 816 (1st Dep't 1995). Malpractice case against trial lawyer disproved by documentary evidence.