Civil Litigation

CIVIL LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP

Jon S. Berk
Philip J. O'Connor
Kenneth G. Williams
Michael C. Conroy
Renée W. Dwyer
Paula S. Bennett
Dana B. Lee
Christopher P. Kriesen
Russell N. Jarem

Maureen A. Andryuk (Paralegal)
Dena L. Crawford (Paralegal)
Barbara S. Skenyon (Paralegal)
Lorraine Lamalfa (Paralegal)

Gordon, Muir and Foley LLP, founded in 1947, maintains a strong litigation practice. Gordon, Muir and Foley's litigation practice has included, and continues to include, the defense of civil actions throughout the State of Connecticut in all federal and state courts at the request of insurance companies and self-insured clients. Our Litigation Practice Group enjoys experience in virtually every aspect of defense litigation including insurance coverage, motor vehicle accidents, product liability, professional liability, municipal liability, premises liability, construction site accidents, employment, civil rights and environmental and toxic tort claims.

Product Liability

• The Litigation Practice Group has significant experience in the defense of product liability claims representing manufacturers and product sellers in claims involving asbestos, silicone breast implants, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, industrial and construction equipment, and consumer goods.

Professional Liability

• The Litigation Practice Group is actively engaged in the defense of legal malpractice claims, medical malpractice claims, accounting malpractice claims, agents and brokers errors and omissions claims, and claims against architects, engineers and accountants.

Toxic Torts and Environmental Litigation

• The Litigation Practice Group's Toxic Tort and Environmental section defends claims involving lead paint exposure, exposure to industrial gases and solvents, carbon monoxide, indoor air pollution, formaldehyde, asbestos, silica and a broad range of chemicals. The section has defended civil actions brought by both governmental agencies and private parties seeking reimbursement of costs incurred for the clean up of contamination to the environment. The section has handled numerous cases involving underground storage tanks and landfills, and has represented major insurance carriers in complex multi-party environmental coverage litigation.

Insurance Coverage

• The Litigation Practice Group extensively litigates insurance coverage issues including coverage involving CGL policies, automobile policies, first party coverage, environmental, employment issues and liability. Jon Berk is the co-author of Connecticut Law of Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage, a treatise widely cited by the Connecticut Courts.

First Party Claims/Subrogation

• In addition to representing insureds, the firm's representation of casualty, life and health insurance companies has involved the resolution of coverage disputes, the defense of first party claims and the subrogation of claims involving major fires and other losses. The Litigation Practice Group counsels clients in the drafting of contracts and policy forms with respect to compliance with regulatory requirements.

Employment Law

• The Litigation Practice Group defends employment liability claims, counsels employers on workplace issues, and advises insurance carriers and litigates coverage issues relative to employment liability claims. The Litigation Practice Group has contested matters in both state and federal courts and before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Employers have been represented relative to:

Workers' Compensation

• The Litigation Practice Group is actively engaged in the representation of self-insureds, national and regional corporations and trade associations involving issues relating to workers' compensation and in defense of worker's compensation claims.

Municipal Liability

• The Litigation Practice Group defends municipalities and municipal employees in matters ranging from civil rights and employment cases to the defense of statutory claims.