Adam Guzik is an experienced litigator who handles complex tort and general liability claims in New York state and federal courts. His practice focuses on constitutional law, education law and sexual abuse defense.
In the 10 years prior to joining Wilson Elser, Adam represented foster care agencies, nonprofit organizations, condominium associations, schools and school districts, and religious organizations against a variety of personal injury, premises liability and subrogation claims.
Areas of Focus
General Liability Insurance
Adam works closely with his clients to find cost-effective solutions to and lasting protection from litigation through early assessment and negotiations, development of best practices, and targeted discovery and motion practice. In the area of general liability, he has successfully handled every aspect of cases from inception to trial.
Nonprofit & Agency Defense
In addition, Adam has extensive experience representing nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, mental hygiene agencies, public/private partnerships and municipal organizations, and is familiar with the wide range of claims dealt with by these entities, including premises liability claims, negligent hiring, training and supervision claims, fiduciary claims and claims of statutory violations. He sits on the board of directors for a 501(c)3 organization, and has first-hand understanding of the type of guidance sought by these organizations.
Sexual Abuse Litigation
The New York State Child Victims Act of 2019 wrought immediate changes to the landscape of sexual abuse claims. Adam’s experience defending non-CVA child sex abuse and molestation claims, as well as a wide range of general and municipal liability claims that are frequently associated with such claims, provides a strong and flexible foundation from which to defend against the procedural and substantive impacts of the newly developing landscape resulting from the CVA.
Representative Matters
Obtained favorable decisions at the trial and appellate levels for a client in an action upon determination that a co-defendant was not acting in the scope of his employment when, with knowledge, he brought a dangerous family member to his place of employment.
Successfully argued that foster care agencies are not state actors for purposes of 42 U.S.C. 1983, thus preventing recovery of attorneys’ fees in federal litigation.
Obtained dismissal of an action brought against a community no-kill pet shelter alleging that the client negligently permitted the adoption of a dangerous animal, after the plaintiff failed to care for the animal properly.