Brad is a trial attorney with extensive experience in defending high-profile, high-exposure litigation in cases involving mass torts, products liability and catastrophic injuries such as loss of limbs and traumatic brain injury.
He represents clients from pre-litigation investigation through trial and appeal nationally, regionally and locally. He is adept at deposing opposing expert witnesses in various fields, including industrial hygienists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, actuaries, and medical doctors, to highlight uncertainties in their opinions.
One of Brad’s principal areas of focus is in defending clients in torts related to exposure to chemicals, mixed chemicals and other toxic substances, such as asbestos, formaldehyde, PCBs, and silica. Brad is a member of team defending a manufacturer of cleaning solution in products liability actions nationally.
Brad also defends clients in commercial litigation involving breach of contract in insurance/reinsurance, construction, and environmental disputes. In the area of roadway construction, Brad drafted the amicus curiae brief to the New York State Court of Appeals on behalf of the International Municipal Lawyers Association in the landmark Turturro v. City of New York case regarding governmental immunity for municipal roadway planning and design function.
Brad also represents New York governmental entities in false arrest/malicious prosecution claims and lawsuits. He obtained summary judgment and dismissal of false arrest and civil rights claims and, on appeal, reversal of the Supreme Court’s denial of summary judgment of a malicious prosecution claim involving a plaintiff who spent 20 years in prison before release on habeas corpus petition. (Batten v. City of New York, 133 AD3d 803 (2d Dept 2015). Prior to joining Harris Beach, Brad served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the New York City Law Department. As a member of the Tort Division’s Special Litigation Unit, Brad defended the City in complex and high exposure tort lawsuits, including actions involving wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, sexual abuse, and civil rights violations.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS + SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Lectured on governmental immunity at the County Attorneys Association of the State of New York’s 2021 Annual Meeting
- Lectured on notices of claim at the County Attorneys Association of the State of New York’s 2019 Annual Meeting
- Lectured on defense of roadway design claims at the County Attorneys Association of the State of New York’s 2018 Annual Meeting
- Co-author of “Late Notices of Claim and Substantial Prejudice: The Burden is On,” New York Law Journal, March 29, 2018
- Co-author of “Notice of Claim Requirements in Suits Against Police Officers Revisited,” New York Law Journal, June 26, 2017
- Lectured on defense of roadway design claims at the International Municipal Lawyers Association’s 2017 Annual Conference