Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has been on the cutting edge of
Alternative Dispute Resolution since opening our practice seven years
ago. We are extremely mindful of and sensitive to the growing costs
of defending and litigating claims in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan
area. Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has been at the forefront of
the Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice, regularly coordinating
mediation days and setting up arbitrations with our clients, appearing
before mediation services on litigated and non-litigated claims and
traveling throughout the country promoting mediation and arbitration
at seminars and lectures. It is our firm belief that Alternative
Dispute Resolution Practice is a practical, reasonable and economical
approach to claims and will continue to grow as we move forward into
the new millennium.
Appellate
Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee is one of the few law firms that
maintains our own separate practice group exclusively dedicated to
Appellate Practice. We have successfully recruited experienced, dedicated
attorneys with in-depth knowledge of both the procedural and substantive
appellate laws in New York and New Jersey.
The attorneys in the Appellate Practice group regularly appear before
the various Appellate Departments and have been privileged to argue
before the highest court in the State of New York, The Court of Appeals.
The Appellate Practice handles issues from a wide variety of fields
including premises liability, Labor Law, Fraud/Bad Faith, and has
been a field leader on “threshold” issues in motor vehicle
accident cases.
Using our state of the art technology, our Appellate Practice Group
has developed an extensive library of briefs and memoranda on the issues
at the forefront of insurance litigation. In addition, our appellate
attorneys are in daily consultation with our trial lawyers to assist
them in shaping and molding their litigation issues.
Automobile Liability Practice
At the center of any civil litigation defense firm is the defense
of automobile liability matters.
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has long-standing relationships
with numerous carriers that specialize in underwriting personal and
commercial automobile policies in New York and New Jersey. Our practice
group includes defense of third-party liability claims, uninsured/underinsured
motorist endorsements, SIU/fraud claims, as well as the application
and interpretation of no-fault and PIP provisions.
We have been at the forefront of litigation on critical issues that
severely impact the automobile practice including the threshold bar
to lawsuits, stacking coverage and defense of claims involving fraudulent
medical treatment and/or medical facilities.
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee regularly provides seminars and
lectures on these and other issues affecting this field.
Construction Defect/Labor Law Practice
Perhaps no legal field has flourished and developed in New York and
New Jersey as the Construction and Labor Law practice. On almost a
daily basis, the law journals in both states are filled with legal
articles or court decisions addressing the unique and very complicated
Construction and Labor laws.
At Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee, we pride ourselves on being
at the center of this dynamic area by representing major real estate
owners, contractors and sub-contractors. This unique exposure to
every facet of the construction industry has allowed us to forge
a reputation in the field for understanding complicated litigation
issues and an effective ability to shift liability to the responsible
party.
We have extensive trial experience in the Construction Defect/Labor Law practice
and we have taken numerous verdicts on these cases. These claims often
present very significant exposure to our clients. We have established
a reputable track record in defending these claims. Faust Goetz Schenker
and Blee has been involved in some of the most recent leading cases
in this area, including Toefer v. LIRR.
Employment Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee maintains an Employment practice
group that specializes in defending claims involving age, discrimination,
race, sexual harassment, violations of various local and state anti-discrimination
laws and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Through our handling of the GMAC Preferred Dealership Program, we
have been privileged to appear on these cases in both Federal and State
Courts to defend and litigate claims in both New York and New Jersey.
We have prepared employment manuals and effectively negotiated employment
severance packages for our clients.
Fraud/SIU Practice
Faust, Goetz, Schenker & Blee has created a group of attorneys
who specialize in assisting and defending insurance companies and
their insureds in Fraud/SIU matters. These matters require experience
in recognizing and understanding the various fact patterns and claims
involved in a fraudulent scheme.
Our experience in SIU cases covers a broad range of fraud matters
involving automobiles, medical claims, first party claims, property
claims, arson, burglary and uninsured motorist claims. Our SIU
attorneys are responsible for initially evaluating the fraudulent
elements of claims, taking Examinations Under Oath and successfully
trying these matters to verdict. As SIU counsel, Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee
assists the insured in counseling and providing a basis for future
defenses in these types of matters. We assist the insurer in summarizing
its risk of exposure and handling the matters in the most cost
effective and productive manner available.
General Liability Practice
The General Liability Practice represents the largest and fastest
growing segment of our firm. Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has
been fortunate to forge and develop relationships with a multitude
of clients that face complex and high exposure commercial and personal
lines litigation.
At Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee, we have developed a reputation
in the industry for a practical, economical and objective viewpoint
towards litigation. Our sensitivity to growing litigation costs,
the need for adherence to company guidelines and to promote the most
pro-active defense position available on claims has earned us a solid
reputation in the insurance community. We are constantly assisting
our clients in formulating strategy and guidelines to bring even
the most complex claims to a successful and beneficial resolution.
Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee is a leading provider of legal services
to insurance companies and self-insured corporations for all types
of coverage issues. We pride ourselves on our ability to promptly
analyze issues, risks and potential exposure to the client and set
forth a management plan for the effective resolution of the coverage
issues.
We are frequently called upon to advise our clients on issues of
policy interpretation and “duty to defend” on a wide array of
insurance policies. When appropriate, we litigate coverage issues of
trial and at the appellate level. Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee
has established a reputation for preventing insurance fraud through
our aggressive use of the Examination Under Oath process and our
extensive research and investigation of claims.
Municipal Liability Practice
The firm's attorneys have vast experience in all areas of
municipal liability. We have represented various government entities
as well as their employees in general liability, premises
liability, personal injury, workplace injury and state's tort claims
acts.
In both New York and New Jersey, we have defended various
counties, cities and town agencies in both the state and federal
courts. We have specialized knowledge of the state, local and
federal statutes and regulations which specifically affect
municipalities. We have a tremendous success rate in bringing
summary judgment motions and in defending cases at trial.
Premises Liability Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has been exposed to many types
of premises liability cases. Whether defending claims against hotels,
property owners or large and small commercial business owners, we
have successfully defended these actions throughout the states of
New York and New Jersey.
Many of our clients underwrite low to moderate income residential
and commercial property. Our commitment from the New York City Housing
Authority speaks volumes as to our reputation in and outside the courtroom
for expertise in this field. These high-risk exposures includes the
traditional trip and fall/ slip and fall cases, but have also afforded
us the opportunity to defend high profile security cases. We have been
a field leader in risk management assisting our clients in devising
security and claims reporting practices that, when implemented, have
sharply reduced their exposure.
Product Liability Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has been extensively involved in Product
Liability defense representation since the firm’s inception.
Our product liability practice includes the defense of manufacturers,
product designers, sellers, distributors and end users. We have successfully
defended product liability claims arising out of a variety of products
including automobiles and trucks, outdoor and household products,
recreational and gym equipment, and construction industrial equipment.
At Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee we work closely with our clients
to tailor the defense to fit the goals of the clients and achieve
the most economical defense strategy. The product liability needs
of each client are unique and can have an effect on both the marketplace
and within the manufacturing and development of a product. Accordingly,
we provide clients with a broad range of services that include
use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, counseling clients on future
accident prevention and traditional trial practices.
Property Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has extensive experience n evaluating
and defending property insurance claims. We have successfully defended
our clients against arson, water damage, burglary, fraudulent auto
theft claims and staged automobile accidents. We often provide advice
regarding the construction and interpretation of coverage.
Through the aggressive utilization of the examination under oath process,
we provide legal guidance to evaluate claims. We assist in the investigation
of a loss, conduct on-site cause and origin analysis and actively participate
in the appraisal process. Our vast experience in this field has allowed
us to build a large network of experts with impeccable reputations
and credentials. We provide guidance to our clients so that in the
event of a denial, they are in the best possible position to defend
the action.
Sports/Entertainment Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has been privileged to develop a
practice group that specializes in the defense of Sports and Entertainment
clients including notables such as the New York Yankees, Ron Delsner
Promotions, Motley Crue, David Caruso and several large production
companies in the New York/New Jersey region.
These claims are extremely diversified and include claims by professional
and amateur athletes, interpretation and litigation of release and
waiver clauses, injuries to spectators and claims against stadium/event
vendors. The development of a practice group in this field has assisted
us in changing legal attitudes towards those who own, manage and operate
sporting or entertainment events.
Subrogation Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee has been at the forefront of the
Subrogation practice since its inception creating a department exclusively
designed to handle large property losses. These matters are handled
on a contingent fee basis.
It is our philosophy that the early involvement of counsel is required
to pinpoint the cause and origin of a loss and to preserve critical
evidence. Our network of experts is available 24/7 to assist our Subrogation
Department with on-site inspections, inventory evaluations and ultimately,
if required, trial testimony. We provide clients with seminars on the
most current issues affecting the field and an honest evaluation on
the likelihood of recovery.
Trucking/Transportation
Cargo Practice
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee’s trucking and transportation
practice is composed of experienced litigators who successfully defend
a broad range of clients throughout the transportation industry.
Our firm represents both national and regional trucking companies
as well as local self-insured companies.
Faust Goetz Schenker & Blee’s extensive experience in
this area helps create both cost effective and efficient strategies
to best suit the defense of each individual case. We have successfully
defended cases involving wrongful death and catastrophic injuries
to verdict. Where appropriate, our attorneys will also utilize Alternative
Dispute Resolution methods to achieve successful and economical results.
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