At the Defense Research Institute Annual Meeting in Washinton, D.C., Mr. O'Connor was recently honored by Chartis Insurance as one of their "Top Ten Lawyers of 2011″. Chartis is a world leading property-casualty and general insurance organization serving more than 45 million clients in over 160 countries and jurisdictions. Each year, Chartis selects ten lawyers who exemplify the highest level of service to their organization and their insureds.

Mr. O'Connor has successfully tried many cases and has obtained several defense verdicts.

He resides in Westchester County with his wife Denise, and two sons. He is an avid gardener, and enjoys scuba diving, surfing and Seinfeld re-runs.

Admitted:
New York State Bar, 1987
Connecticut State Bar, 1986
U.S. Federal District Courts, New York Southern and Eastern Districts, 1987
Connecticut District Court, 1986

Education:
Northwestern University, B.A.,1980 (Officer, Kappa Sigma Fraternity)
University Of Connecticut, Post-grad 1980-82
Vermont Law School (Moot Court Advisory Board)
Cardozo Law School
Pace University School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude, 1985

Academic Distinctions:
Entertainment Moot Court Competition Team, Ranking Scholar (Chemical Industry Regulations Seminar; Administrative Law)
Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award, Administrative Law.

Member:
Defense Research Institure
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
New York State Bar Association
Executive Committee Member, Brandeis Law Society
9th Judicial District's Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission
Association of Insurance and Business Attorneys
American Trial Lawyers Association
Chairman, Legislative Affairs Subcommittee
NYSBA Insurance Coverage Committee
Professional Member, American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)
Publications:
Author: "Chemical Warfare: Defending Chemical Industry Product Liability"
Contributing Editor: "Automobile Liability Newsletter"
New York State Bar Association Insurance, Negligence and Compensation Law Section
Contributing Author: "Personal Injury Litigation and Practice in New York" National Business Institute, 1991; "Effective Insurance Disclaimers after Cirucci v. General Accident", 1991

Co-Chair and Speaker:
N.Y.S. Bar Assoc. Seminar, "Construction Site Litigation", 1999

Guest Speaker:
"Insurance Coverage Issues – With a Focus on Personal Lines", 1998 N.Y.S. Bar Assoc. Seminars, "Complex Product Liability Litigation: A Cost-Effective Approach for the 90′s", 1993; Annual Chemical Industry Labeling Conference (Washington D.C.); Insurance Women in Claims; Guest Speaker, (Insurance Coverage, Labor Law Litigation), The Hartford, Kemper Ins., Hanover Insurance Co. Claims and Underwriting Sections; Hudson Valley Claims Association, Seminar Author: "Holding Down Defense Costs", 1990, 1991

Notable cases Mr. O'Connor has tried include:

Colon v. Distinguished Products: Defense verdict. New York County. Plaintiff slipped and fell on oil in office, next to machinery recently serviced by firm client, sustained herniated discs with surgery. Defendants argued pre-existing condition and lack of proof of negligence. Trial court recommended settlement at $625k.

Escobar v. Connecticut Light and Power et al v. GK Building Supply: Product liability. Settlement during trial, Federal District Court, Southern District. Plaintiff, employee of firm client employer, contacted overhead power lines while operating defendants boom truck to make delivery of building materials, sustaining severe electrical burns. Defendant boom manufacturers settled for $4.5 Million. Firm client employer paid no "fresh money", and recovered entire WC $260,000. net lien and set-off future WC payments completely.

McComber v. Lehr McGovern: Defense verdict for firm client. New York County Labor Law §240 case. Plaintiff crushed by steel column while erecting connecting beams for new Yankee Stadium, sued Lehr McGovern and firm's client, Interstate Industries, the steel fabricator and erector. In bifurcated trial, jury apportioned 0% fault to firm client; later returned verdict against Lehr alone for $30.5 Million.

McHenry v. 1020 Park Avenue: Defense verdict for firm client, JMA Engineers, in New York County bifurcated Labor Law 240 case. Plaintiff fell four stories while pointing exterior brickwork, sustained brain injury, fx'd pelvis, elbow, severed urethra, impotence, removal of spleen; tried by Harvey Weitz for plaintiff. Co-defendant settled during damages for $5.1 Million.

Muller v. Equitable et al v. Burgess Steel: Defense Verdict. King County. Labor Law §241(6) case. Plaintiff, union ironworker employee of firm's client, Burgess, injured moving steel beam during renovation work, resulting in multiple lower back injuries and surgeries. Jury found no negligence, no violation of Industrial Code. Affirmed on appeal.

Rivera v. Auxialliary Services: Defense verdict. Richmond County, (Staten Island). Plaintiff security guard sustained arm, shoulder and burn injuries trying to escape burning security vehicle while working for firm's client, College of Staten Island, which was responsible for the purchase and maintenance of security vehicles.

Scibelli v. Sunrise Industrial: Defense verdict for firm client, Nassau County. Labor Law §241(6). Plaintiff tripped on re-bar placed for reinforced concrete. Firm represented third-party defendant employer Spartan Concrete, impleaded for common law and contractual indemnity to defendants. Court granted our motion to dismiss, but withheld decision pending verdict. Jury returned defense verdict.

Sullivan v. DRA Imaging: Defense verdict. New York County. Plaintiff injured in motor vehicle collision with van driven by firm's client. Plaintiff claimed Traumatic Brain Injury, and offered neuropsychiatric and PET scan evidence and expert testimony of cognitive, psychological and neurological deficits, claimed multiple fractures and injuries. Jury found for defendant on all five alleged "serious injuries". Affirmed on appeal.

Williams v. Keio Academy, Morse Diesel v. Morrel Brown: Defense verdict. Westchester County. Plaintiff slip and fall during construction, Labor Law §241(6) case. Firm client, (plaintiff's employer), sued by Defendants owner and GC for contribution, indemnity. Trial court granted firm's motion to dismiss at close of evidence. Client recovered entire WC lien and obtained future WC set-off on Plaintiff's subsequent $400,000. verdict.