Jackie Hattar is an experienced and accomplished litigator who focuses her practice on general tort liability matters and the defense of complex litigation. Jackie has defended many high-exposure personal injury and wrongful death actions involving premises and construction/Labor Law, trucking, and transportation liability claims. She also has experience with medical and dental malpractice cases. In all matters, she vigorously endeavors to protect the interests of her clients while resolving litigation with maximum cost effectiveness.
During the course of her career, Jackie has successfully defended property owners, commercial business owners, construction companies, trucking companies, municipalities, short line railroad companies, hospitals and healthcare facilities in general and premises liability cases involving personal injury and wrongful death claims. She has extensive trial experience in all courts throughout the state of New York as well as a strong background in alternative dispute resolution. She also has significant appellate experience, having written more than 50 appellate briefs and argued cases in the New York Appellate Division, First and Second Departments.
Prior to joining the firm, Jackie was in-house counsel at Frontier Insurance Group where she defended high-exposure general liability cases throughout the state of New York. Earlier in her career, she served for six years as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx County, NY, District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted major high-profile offenses from grand jury through trial and was profiled in The American Lawyer for her work on domestic violence cases.
Jackie currently serves as a member of the firm’s Diversity Committee and the steering committee of Wilson Elser’s Women Attorneys Valued & Empowered (WAVE) initiative, which exemplifies the firm’s enlightened approach to advancing the professional and personal well-being of its women attorneys.
Professional/Community Involvement
Jackie is an active member of national, state and local bar associations and other professional organizations that support and promote the practice of law. She serves on the Ninth Judicial District Committee to Promote Gender Fairness in the Courts, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Pace Women’s Justice Center.
Jackie has spearheaded various diversity initiatives both within the firm and through outside organizations. She currently serves as co-chair of the Diversity Committee of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association (WWBA), and is the co-founder of the WWBA Diversity Lecture Series. In addition, Jackie is a member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Women in the Law. She has presented various CLE and diversity programs for the NYSBA and the WWBA.
In addition, Jackie devotes a significant amount of time serving the community by participating in events to promote reading and literacy in the Yonkers Public Schools. Since 2007, she has been a volunteer for the National Education Association’s Read Across America program and has received certificates of recognition for her efforts.
Areas of Focus
Complex Tort & General Casualty
Jackie’s practice includes handling high exposure general tort liability claims, including claims involving premises liability, labor law/construction accidents, trucking and automobile liability, many of which involve catastrophic personal injuries, wrongful death, and property damage. Jackie has represented commercial property owners, property managers, homeowners, general contractors, subcontractors, hospitals, trucking companies, delivery and supply companies, real estate investment trusts, health clubs, public and private corporations, insurance carriers, and other entities and individuals in a wide variety of cases. She has successfully tried numerous general liability claims in New York, including the five boroughs of New York City. She has also obtained many dismissals on summary judgment and discontinuances on behalf of her clients. Jackie has served as a lecturer at various seminars on general tort liability and other areas of insurance defense.
Hospitality & Restaurants
Jackie has represented restaurants, outdoor recreational companies, condominiums, and other hospitality-related retailers. She defends such entities in a broad range of legal issues.
Medical Malpractice
Jackie’s medical and dental malpractice experience includes the defense of medical providers and facilities, principally in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, and related matters.
Municipal Law
Jackie has represented cities and municipalities in a wide range of legal matters, including premises liability, wrongful death, and construction accident claims.
Representative Matters
Ames v. Kamco Supply Corp., 96 A.D.3d 888 (2d Dep't 2012)
Levy v. Town Sports International, Inc., New York Law Journal “Decisions of Interest,” August 19, 2011
Martinez v. Hunts Point Cooperative Market, Inc., 79 A.D.3d 569, 914 N.Y.S.2d 99 (1st Dept. 2010)
Vasquez v. The Rector, 40 A.D.3d 265, 835 N.Y.S.2d 159 (1st Dept. 2007)
Coyne v. EQR-Talleyrand Crescent Partners, LP, 22 A.D.3d 627 (2nd Dept. 2005)