Robert L. Conason
PartnerDownload VCard
Phone: 212-943-1090
Fax: 212-425-7513
80 Pine Street
New York, New York 10005
Education
LLB, New York University Law School, 1960
Bachelor of Arts, New York University, 1956
Jurisdictions admitted to practice
New York, 1960U.S. District Court Southern & Eastern Districts of New York, 1962
Robert L. Conason
Robert L. Conason, the Senior Partner of Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman, Mackauf, Bloom & Rubinowitz, is universally recognized as one of the most renowned personal injury lawyers in America. As the firm's leader, he maintains a "hands on" approach and remains intimately familiar with each and every case as it proceeds through all phases of litigation. Although Mr. Conason has personally settled hundreds of cases in excess of one million dollars, his leadership has resulted in the development of a preeminent law firm that has settled over 350 cases in excess of one million dollars.
Widely considered the "Dean of the Plaintiff's Bar," Mr. Conason is undoubtedly the "Lawyer's Lawyer" whose counsel is often sought by other members of the profession, including the judiciary. His recognition in his field has resulted in him being featured prominently on the front page of the New York Law Journal as a "Low-Key" extremely successful trial veteran.
Mr. Conason has established a national reputation as a top attorney in his field and is recognized by his peers for his outstanding legal acumen. He is a member of the most exclusive bar association in the United States of America: the Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization limited to the top 100 plaintiff’s trial lawyers in the country who consistently achieve significant results for their clients. He is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been elected a fellow the prestigious International Academy of Lawyers - a honor reserved for only 500 attorneys worldwide. Repeatedly listed in Best Lawyers in America, Mr. Conason is one of very few lawyers nationwide to be listed in Best Lawyers in America in each year since its inception 25 years ago. He has been named an outstanding advocate in New York Magazine's article on Best Lawyers in New York and he was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates by both plaintiff and defense attorneys.
As a premier trial attorney, Mr. Conason constantly emphasizes the dedication and individualized attention each case demands and every injured person deserves. Accordingly, in terms of the volume of cases accepted, he has advanced the firm on the philosophy that "less is more" and assists in the careful selection of only the most serious and substantial personal injury cases. He has said, "My satisfaction comes from knowing that absent a successful recovery of a claim, our clients wouldn't have the ability to secure appropriate medical care and equipment, economic freedom and the ability to live a dignified life."
Mr. Conason's extensive experience includes the representation of clients who have been injured in catastrophic accidents involving motor vehicles, airplanes, construction sites, elevators, explosions, medical malpractice and products liability.
A strong believer in sharing his knowledge and giving back to the legal community, Mr. Conason routinely chairs local and national programs designed to educate lawyers on the skills they need to effectively represent their clients and successfully try their cases. Additionally, he is frequently asked to lecture by the various Bar Associations, law schools and other interested legal groups. As perhaps the ultimate tribute to his legal skills, Mr. Conason is often asked to lecture to the very same doctors and hospitals he litigates against. Among his many teaching credits is his annual "Decisions" lecture, which advises New York lawyers about recent changes in the substantive and procedural law in the area of personal injury trial practice. Mr. Conason also has taught Trial Practice and a course on Law & Medicine at New York University Law School. He is an author of a 7 volume text Damages in Tort Actions,published by Matthew Bender, including editor of the Practice Guide in the series,has also co-authored another one of the leading texts in the personal injury field-Warren's Negligence in the New York Courts, Second Edition published by LexisNexis with Matthew Bender.
PROFESSIONAL & BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
The Inner Circle of Advocates
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Association
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Director, 1975-present
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
American College of Trial Lawyers
The International Academy of Trial Lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates
International Society of Barristers
The Association of Trial Lawyer of America
PUBLICATIONS
Co-Editor "Practical Solutions for New York Lawyers," Lexis-Nexis 2003
Co-Author: with Harry A. Gair, "Trial of a Negligence Case," Practising Law Institute
Board of Editors "Warren's Negligence in the New York Courts," 2005-to date
Co-Author, "Damages in Tort Actions," 7 Volumes, Matthew Bender
"Utilization of Adverse Witness on Plaintiff's Direct Case," Civil Trials, Law Journal Seminars-Press
"Medical Cross-Examination - Refusal to Recognize Medical Authorities," Advanced Negligence Trial Strategy, Practising Law Institute
"Sample Direct Examination of a Medical Expert (Psychiatrist)" Modern Trends in Medical Malpractice, Practising Law Institute
"Medical Malpractice: Trial of an Obstetrical and Neonatal Malpractice Case," Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1989-1990
"Trial of an Obstetrical Malpractice Case," Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1990 to 2001
"Medical Malpractice: Failures in Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment," Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1987 and 1988
"Premises Liability for Assaults & Other Criminal Acts," Practising Law Institute, 1987
"Failure to Diagnose Cancer", Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1991 and 1992
"Failure to Diagnose Breast Cancer," Law Journal Seminars-Press, 1993 to 1999
RECENT LECTURES
Mt. Sinai Breast Imaging Conference, 2004-present
Lawyers & Public Health Symposium, Benjamin Cardozo School of Law
Featured Speaker, Product Liability Symposium, Brooklyn Law School
Masters in Trial, American Board of Trial Advocates
"Advanced Trial Skills: Florida", Trial Lawyers Association
Chair, "Selection of a Jury", New York State Trial Lawyers, 2004-present
"Decisions: Trial Practice," New York State Trial Lawyers Institute, 1997 to date
CASES OF NOTE
$100,000,000 for victims of 9/11 and their families. This strikingly large settlement was due, in large part, to Mr. Conason's finesse, legal strategy and his ability to convey the human nature of this immense tragedy to the Victim's Compensation Fund.
The fire at the Stouffer's Hotel in Westchester County. Our office represented the estates of 11 members of the Board of Directors of a Fortune 500 Company killed in the fire. As Lead Counsel, Mr. Conason settled this matter for more than $50,000,000.
The explosion on Ann Street resulting in 12 deaths and multiple injuries. The case settled for $18,000,000.
$16,000,000 settlement an asbestos handler/construction worker who fell 25 feet from a scaffold at the former Pepsi bottling plant in Long Island City.
The Grammercy Park Explosion, the case settled against Con-Ed for $14,000,000.
$12,500,000 verdict on behalf of a pedestrian who suffered degloving injuries to her leg and buttocks after being struck by a bus.
$12,000,000 settlement for a man who was overradiated by the radiation center where he was treated for cancer.
$10,000,000 settlement in a crane accident case for a woman who was seriously injured when a 35-ton construction crane fell on her legs at an excavation site.
$5,100,000 verdict on behalf of a developmentally-challenged girl in Camden County, New Jersey, who nearly drowned when left unsupervised during a swimming class.
$4,850,000 recovery for a Kings County infant injured at birth as a result of fetal distress.
$4,800,000 verdict for a Brooklyn woman whose doctor treated her cancer with alternative medicine including enzymes and coffee enemas.
$4,000,000 verdict for a man who was negligently discharged from a medical center when he was suffering from a psychotic episode. He was struck by a train and suffered the loss of both legs.
A $ 4,000,000 recovery for a Kings County man who was admitted to the emergency room after a bar fight and had sustained an undiagnosed subdural hematoma.
$3,675,000 verdict for a woman who was struck by a taxicab while walking on the sidewalk. Of note, the taxicab in this matter had limited insurance coverage, but Mr. Conason was able to successfully recover against the City of New York for the negligence of a Police Traffic Vehicle which contributed to the accident.
$3,500,000 recovery in Suffolk County for the family of a DEA agent killed when the cesspool at his home collapsed.
A building collapse on West 35th Street resulting in numerous injuries. The settlement was in excess of $3,000,000 (there was only $2,000,000 in insurance coverage).
A nearly $3,000,000 verdict and settlement for a Bronx family whose 14-day old son was killed and their 7-year old son sustained serious leg injuries and head trauma, when a taxi collided with another vehicle.
$2,250,000 for the New York County family of an older man whose heart condition was misdiagnosed resulting in his death.
$2,200,000 in Westchester County for a woman that sustained an eye injury in an auto accident after she was hit by the air bag.
$2,000,000 to the wife of a 76-year-old Bronx man who died after spinal surgery as a result of fluid deprivation.
$1,000,000 for an illegal immigrant who lost two fingers in a mattress cutting machine.
Disclaimer: Please be advised that the results achieved in any given case depend upon the exact facts and circumstances of that case. Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman, Mackauf, Bloom & Rubinowitz cannot guarantee a specific result in any legal matter. Any testimonial or case result listed on this site is based on an actual legal case and represents the results achieved in that particular case, and does not constitute a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of any other legal matter.
