Steven is a business-minded counselor with over 25 years of experience in transportation law as well as employment, corporate, and labor law. Steven practices law with an entrepreneurial approach. He works closely with business owners, entrepreneurs, and emerging businesses by helping them navigate the legal issues they encounter while running a business, all while mitigating risk.
For some clients, Steven acts as outside general counsel, providing not only representation and legal advice but also assistance in daily operational matters. For other clients, Steven represents corporate entities on individual matters that run the gamut of litigation and transactional issues. Steven seeks to develop long-term relationships with business owners because he knows the importance of a strong attorney-client relationship.
Steven has a long track record of successful results at the trial and appellate court level in more clearly defining the difference between an employee and an independent contractor. With the emergence and growth of the gig economy, this issue is more critical now more than ever. Steven has significant trial and courtroom experience, having previously worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of New York.
In 2007, Steven was asked by New York State Governor David Patterson to write legislation to create a Fund that provides Workers’ Compensation benefits for serious injuries and crimes committed against drivers dispatched by livery bases. That legislation resulted in the enactment of Article 6G of the New York State Executive Law. This statute created the New York Independent Driver Benefit Fund (“Livery Fund”), which helped solve a workers’ compensation problem that had spanned three decades due to the many gray areas associated with the law regarding whether livery drivers are employees or independent contractors. After the Livery Fund was created in January 1, 2010, the Board of Directors appointed Steven to serve as outside General Counsel to the Fund, a position he has held since its creation.
Outside of the law, Steven is a history buff who regularly posts about history on LinkedIn. Steven also enjoys playing guitar, painting (oil on canvas), gardening, and riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
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