Christopher Van De Water vigorously defends insured clients against lawsuits based on personal injuries resulting from negligence, New York Labor Law violations, building code violations and breach of contract.
Prior to working at Wilson Elser, Chris was an Assistant Attorney General with the New York State Office of the Attorney General, where he served as first chair in several lawsuits that went to trial in the Southern District of New York, obtaining defense verdicts for the state. He also was managing partner at his own firm, specializing in Employment Law claims of sexual harassment and hostile work environment under Title VII, the ADA and New York Labor Laws.
Representative Matters
Obtained defense verdicts in the Southern District of New York in cases involving Civil Rights violations in New York State’s maximum security prison system.
Obtained a defense verdict in a seven-figure products liability case involving severe burns to the plaintiff’s body.
Obtained a defense verdict in a slip-and-fall case against an owner where the last demand before trial was $650,000.
Obtained summary judgment in dozens of General Liability matters involving severe Personal Injuries.
Successfully settled more than 75 cases in alternative dispute resolution forums including arbitration and mediation.