The Civil Litigation Defense Practice

Sobel Pevzner, LLC. is a defense firm with offices in Huntington, New York, New York City and Burlington, New Jersey, which for more than 25 years, has been engaged in all aspects of negligence defense litigation. The firm started as the solo practice of Curtis Sobel in 1986 and has grown to our current complement of 16 attorneys serving clients in New York, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. The firm remains committed to providing the highest quality defense in the most cost effective manner.

Curtis Sobel, Esq., the Senior and Founding Member of the firm, has in excess of 25 years of litigation experience and alternative dispute resolution in the State of New York. Bella Pevzner, Partner with the firm, has significant experience in the defense of civil law suits as well as Workers’ Compensation matters in New York and New Jersey and oversees the day-to-day operations of our New York City and Burlington offices. David Goldman is an accomplished litigator in the State and Federal Courts of New York and is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Huntington office.

Since its inception, the Sobel Pevzner, LLC. and its predecessor firms, have consistently and successfully represented prominent members of the insurance, hospitality, retail, transportation, habitation and construction industries in the greater New York Metropolitan area. Presently, the firm’s expansive clientele includes insurance carriers, self-insured businesses, municipalities and school districts, regional habitation companies, school and municipal bus companies, supermarket chains, “big box” retailers, construction companies, product manufacturers, as well as national and regional pharmacies, automobile parts and repair chains, and fast food chains. To address the needs of its clients, Sobel Pevzner, LLC. expanded its reach and practice into New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. The firm has also been an aggressive advocate for its clients in matters involving insurance fraud. Furthermore, various carriers also depend upon our firm to represent their interests in the Workers’ Compensation arena.

Sobel Pevzner, LLC. and its members have an extensive and proven track record on trial and in all appellate courts.   However, they also recognize the potential costs and risks associated with trial and continually counsel clients throughout the pre-trial period so that their resources are properly allocated and appropriate decisions in this regard are made. Ultimately, it is the members’ skill as trial attorneys and an ability to recognize when trial is necessary that creates consistently low loss ratios for our clients.

Since its inception, Sobel Pevzner, LLC. has been defense counsel of choice for companies, large and small who chose to insure themselves either within a captive insurance program or with a significant self insured retention.

Often times, the firm’s clients would elect coverage with an SIR or deductible of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or more. As a result, the firm has never suffered from the disconnect so common in the insurance industry between the costs associated with indemnity versus cost of defense.

Sobel Pevzner, LLC. employs an individual case assignment system. To the fullest extent possible, cases are assigned to one partner and one associate from inception through trial.   This practice ensures continuity and control and also eliminates the costs occasioned by repeated review of files by various attorneys. With each client, an extensive database is developed which includes information regarding product lines, independent contractors, leasehold provisions and prior litigation results. This has proven to be an invaluable asset and one that significantly reduces the defense costs associated with repetitive litigation.

Identification of potential third-party liability, enforcement of indemnification agreements and the generation of an early suit evaluation are primary goals when a new assignment is received. Through prompt investigation and close client contact the firm’s attorneys are able to generate early opinions as to the potential liability and damages in each suit. Anticipated defense costs are then factored in and the cases that warrant early settlement or alternative dispute resolution are identified. Investigation, discovery and trial preparation are effectively allocated on a case by case basis.

Litigation Action Plans and Defense Cost Budgets are prepared at the inception of every new lawsuit. Throughout the course of a lawsuit, guideline compliant reports are tailored to meet each client’s needs.

From our years of representing clients with significant self-insured retentions the attorneys of Sobel Pevzner, LLC. have developed a true appreciation of the impact litigation costs can have on a client. We continually strive to reduce defense costs while never sacrificing the quality of our work. Our statistically superior defense cost averages, result from our belief that billing should only be the product of an aggressive and appropriate representation, not the reason for it. Regardless of the method of calculation, we realize that the ultimate success of our firm is contingent upon the development and continuation of long-term client relationships and not the number of billable hours generated by a particular assignment.