Bio

Don Derrico primarily focuses his practice on defending complex, high-exposure claims. During his career, he has taken in excess of 100 jury verdicts in New York courts and in other jurisdictions across the country. Excess insurers and other clients often ask Mr. Derrico to step in on the eve of trial to try their high-exposure case which could not be settled before trial. He has obtained countless defense verdicts and has resolved hundreds of matters for significantly less than prior defense counsel’s recommended settlement amount. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Derrico worked in construction which is why many insurance carriers retain him to defend their insured’s in construction related litigation. He has litigated and tried hundreds of cases involving wrongful death, catastrophic accidents at construction sites, product liability, auto & trucking accidents and premises liability & security claims. In addition, Mr. Derrico has litigated complex commercial disputes, class actions and land use and zoning disputes. He has been retained in a myriad of other areas from real estate disputes to civil rights matters to complex matrimonial actions. Mr. Derrico has more than 20 years of experience defending clients in the sports and fitness field. He currently serves as primary outside counsel to a major East Coast health club chain, overseeing all claims and working closely with the client’s insurer on reserve setting and pre-suit resolution. In addition, he is the primary point of contact for several of the firm’s excess insurance company clients and frequently is called upon by these and other carriers to evaluate high-exposure cases being litigated by other defense counsel. Regardless of subject matter, venue, or adversary, Mr. Derrico is adept at evaluating potential exposure and liability and determining the best strategy for achieving a favorable outcome while keeping defense costs under control. He assembles a team of attorneys best qualified to execute the client’s chosen resolution strategy and provides hands-on supervision throughout the life of a matter to ensure clients receive quality legal representation.