Steven M. Christman

Office Managing Attorney
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    Steve concentrates his practice primarily in the defense of insureds and self-insureds involving casualty liability matters. His insurance coverage litigation experience includes the defense of reinsurers and excess insurers. Steve also focuses on a wide range of matters including construction litigation, professional liability, premises, product liability, toxic tort, automobile claims, and trucking and transportation litigation. He also serves as the Casualty Supervisor and Managing Attorney of the New York office. In this capacity, he oversees the day-to-day operations for the entire office and team of attorneys ensuring that client matters are handled promptly, professionally and effectively.

    Steve concentrates part of his practice in the area of retail liability.  He has defended hundreds of matters involving premises liability, retail theft, product liability and wrongful termination suits. Steve has represented numerous national retail chains including supermarkets, clothing stores, pet store chains, as well as distributors and manufacturers.

    Steve is admitted to practice law in New York State Court, as well as the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts. Steve has also litigated negligent roadway design cases in the New York Court of Claims. 

    In 1994 Steve earned his B.A. degree in history from Providence College. He then attended the University of Dayton School of Law earning his juris doctor in 1997. During law school Steve was first introduced to the insurance defense industry working as a summer associate for the Law Office of Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell in Tampa, Florida.

    Significant Representative Matters

    In a hotly contested insurance coverage litigation action arising from an underlying labor law case, Steve was able to obtain summary judgment in favor of the defendant insurance carrier, convincing the court that based upon the carrier's extremely specific additional insured endorsement, the carrier not only did not have a duty to indemnify the insured seeking coverage, but also most importantly did not have any duty to defend this insured.

    Participated in trial involving Labor Law 240(1) and 241(6) in Supreme Court, Bronx County case settled favorably following cross examination of plaintiff.

    In a wrongful death action arising from alleged medical malpractice venued in Supreme Court, Bronx County, Steve's defense and investigation resulted in locating pertinent medical records regarding the decedent's treatment, which turned a case with significant exposure into forcing plaintiff to accept a nominal settlement.

    Publications

    "Federal Court Notice Standard in Premises Cases," The New York Law Journal, March 2, 2015

    "Guidelines on Dealing With Suspected Shoplifters," New York Law Journal, May 19, 2014

    Classes/ Seminars Taught

    Successful Strategies for Effective Mediation, Marshall Dennehey Client Seminar, July 20, 2022

    Civil Litigation State of Affairs – The Impact of COVID-19 in New York and Connecticut& What’s Next, Marshall Dennehey Client Webinar, May, 2021

     

    Jurisdictional Trends & The COVID-19 Impact on FL NY NJ & PA, Marshall Dennehey Virtual Client Presentation, December, 2020

     

    Admissions
    New York
    1999
    U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
    1999
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
    1999
    Education
    University of Dayton School of Law (J.D., 1997)
    Providence College (B.A., with honors, 1994)
    Honors & awards
    Associations & memberships
    New York County Bar Association
    New York State Bar Association
    Year joined
    2008