Principal Areas of Practice

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Construction Law
Coverage
Employment Practices Liability
First-Party and Third-Party Property Defense
General Liability
Motor Vehicle Liability
Premises Liability
Products Liability
Professional Liability Defense
Reinsurance
Subrogation
Toxic and Environmental 
Transportation

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The members of Abrams, Gorelick believe that we have a responsibility to achieve the most appropriate and cost effective disposition of matters referred to us by our clients. We recognize that there are many cost effective avenues available beyond traditional litigation to achieve those goals. Consequently, many of our attorneys have attended academic programs in the fields of mediation, arbitration and negotiation to supplement their hands-on experience as attorneys. Our skill in those areas is recognized by many of our clients, who call upon Abrams, Gorelick to represent their interests in mediations, arbitrations and complex negotiations.

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Construction Law

Abrams, Gorelick is called upon frequently to represent owners, general contractors, sub-contractors and employers when cases arise from construction-site accidents. In addition to the obvious assessment of the underlying claim, New York Labor Law cases routinely involve complex contractual and coverage disputes that we evaluate and aggressively pursue. We use our knowledge of the complex issues to preserve the contractual rights of our clients against employers and others.

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Coverage

A focal point of our practice has always been our involvement as insurance coverage counsel for property and casualty insurers. We counsel claims executives throughout the U.S., Canada and the London Market on coverage matters including, but not limited to, primary/excess disputes, general liability, employers’ liability, professional liability, public officials’ liability, asbestos and environmental liability claims, property damage and other issues involving coverage. In addition, Abrams, Gorelick represents insurers in coverage litigation and declaratory judgment actions in state and federal court.

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Employment Practices Liability

Few areas of legal practice are as complex as employment practices liability. New court decisions involving sexual harassment, discrimination and negligent hiring are handed down daily by trial and appellate courts. Abrams, Gorelick represents management and insurers in a wide variety of employment practices matters at both the administrative level and in litigation. Our attorneys’ experience in this evolving area of the law makes Abrams, Gorelick highly qualified to defend both insureds and self-insureds.

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First-Party and Third-Party Property Defense

Abrams, Gorelick has long represented both domestic and international insurers and insurance Underwriters in claims under various forms of property policies including jeweler’s block, fire and inland marine. We are frequently called upon to conduct Examinations Under Oath and to direct claims investigations, coordinating the efforts of forensic accountants, fire investigators, chemists, security specialists and other experts.

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General Liability

Long a staple of our defense practice, our firm regularly defends claims involving a wide variety of general liability lawsuits as diverse as dram shop act violations, libel and slander claims and assault and battery. Our experienced trial attorneys are equally adept arguing in court or briefing legal issues.

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Motor Vehicle Liability

Abrams, Gorelick has represented commercial and individual clients in a variety of matters concerning the operation or use of motor vehicles. We have successfully defended hundreds of individual automobile and no-fault actions and have recovered millions of dollars in “loss transfer” arbitrations for our clients. Abrams, Gorelick also has unique experience that sets the firm apart from others, having administered programs involving the defense of thousands of liability, uninsured motorist and no-fault claims.

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Premises Liability

Abrams, Gorelick is regularly retained by insurance carriers, large property owners and major self-insured retailers to defend a full complement of premises liability claims ranging from the mundane slip and fall to the most complex and intriguing premises security claims. This area of our practice finds the firm’s attorneys in trial courts throughout the New York metro area aggressively representing our clients.

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Products Liability

We defend manufacturers and distributors of products as varied as saunas, office equipment, industrial machinery and latex products. In addition, Abrams, Gorelick represents national retailers embroiled in breach of warranty claims and product liability litigation resulting from the sale of food products, clothing, small power tools, machinery and industrial supplies.

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Professional Liability Defense

One of the greatest compliments is to have your abilities recognized by your peers. Abrams, Gorelick is often retained to defend legal malpractice claims against small, mid-sized and major law firms through trial. These clients include self-insured attorneys and law firms, as well as their insurers. In addition, the firm represents insurance brokers and agents, home inspectors, accountants, and other professionals in Errors and Omissions claims. Our attorneys are sensitive to the professional’s concerns and the personal interest they take in claims of this type. Consequently, we quickly identify and analyze liability issues, promptly determine a claim’s merits and evaluate the potential exposure so a strategy for the appropriate handling and disposition of the claim can be implemented.

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Reinsurance

Abrams, Gorelick represents both ceding and reinsuring companies and is retained directly by members of the industry, as well as by referral from other attorneys to act in arbitration and other proceedings in this highly complex facet of the insurance industry. We also serve as discovery masters to assist Tribunals and counsel in resolving discovery disputes that arise in complex arbitrations. 

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Subrogation

Another of the original areas of the firm’s practice is subrogation. Our experienced attorneys will, without charge, review any claim presented by an insurer for possible subrogation. Our understanding of fire cause and origin issues and mechanical and electrical matters, coupled with our network of technical experts, enables us to ascertain the existence of avenues of recovery not readily apparent to claims supervisors and many other attorneys. We promptly provide the client with an evaluation of liability and an accurate assessment of the potential for recovery. Subrogation cases are generally handled on a contingent fee basis.

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Toxic and Environmental 

For several years, we have been involved in lawsuits involving toxic torts. From coverage issues, to defending asbestos, latex, lead paint and “sick building” claims, Abrams, Gorelick attorneys are experienced and highly qualified to protect our clients’ substantial interests in these large exposure actions.

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Transportation

Accidents involving motor carriers often involve complex issues. The successful disposition of transportation cases often depends on sophisticated investigation and reconstruction of the events surrounding the accident, as well as the evaluation of catastrophic injuries. Abrams, Gorelick attorneys are experienced in providing hands-on representation of its clients’ interests in cases such as these. The firm is a member of The Harmonie Group and participates in The Harmonie Group’s 24 Hour Emergency/Accident Response Initiative that provides assistance in the event of a catastrophic emergency or accident.

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