John T. Cofresi

An accomplished trial lawyer and appellate advocate in the firm’s New York City office, John Cofresi’s multifaceted practice focuses on professional liability, employment, commercial litigation and complex litigation. John brings years of experience litigating cases as a defense attorney with his carrier-side experience, from his tenure as a claims consultant with CNA, to benefit firm clients. He is a results-oriented lawyer.

John’s experience includes, but is not limited to, the defense of owners, developers, general contractors, automobile manufacturers, insurers, lawyers, healthcare professionals and construction managers in a variety of different matters. His practice experience includes the defense of worksite accidents, rescission actions under the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act (“ILSA”), accessibility claims under the Americans with Disability Act, and claims of housing discrimination by prospective home buyers. John’s experience includes the defense of breach of warranty claims along with violations of New York General Business Law 349 (Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices) and 350 (False Advertising).

A few of John’s notable successes include securing the recovery of legal fees for a general contractor and developer from the underlying subcontractors in a contested labor law matter; the voluntary discontinuance of claims of malicious prosecution and abuse of process against an attorney; the pre-answer dismissal of breach of contact claims in a first-party insurance coverage matter on forum non conveniens grounds; the pre-answer dismissal of claims brought against an insurance agent for purportedly failing to procure required insurance that would have covered a cargo loss; the voluntary discontinuance of ILSA claims as time-barred; successfully obtaining a no-probable cause finding in the New York City HRC against a restaurant and its manager involving claims of workplace discrimination that was then used preclude a subsequent state action on election of remedy grounds; summary judgment in favor of an employer in an ERISA benefits matter under the payroll practices rule; a defense verdict in a week-long trial in Kings County in a matter involving a bowling accident; and the summary dismissal of an extremely high-value property damage subrogation claim arising out of a fire that had been asserted against a fire suppression system servicer.

In addition to John’s comprehensive litigation practice, he is also an integral member of the firm’s London Coverage Team. John assists London syndicates and markets with a wide variety of insurance matters including first-party and third-party claims. In this capacity, John provides coverage evaluations and recommendations for both primary and excess carriers. As part of his coverage practice for both the domestic and London insurance market, he conducts examinations under oath, handles insurance-related litigation, and facilitates settlements in all lines of business, including natural disasters, construction, business interruption, professional liability, cyber, general liability, environmental, and property.

Outside the office, John is an active member of his community. He is a three-time finisher of the New York City Marathon and a member of the New York Road Runners. John has completed more than 31 races for a cumulative distance of over 303.7 miles (excluding training). He is also an experienced snowboarder and climber whose climbing experience includes the “Gunks,” Joshua Tree, and the Barton Greenbelt in Austin, Texas.

Newsroom

Publications

•Amended Insurance Disclosure Act Brings Sigh of Relief for Insurers
Resource, 3.7.22
•Co-author, Risk Exposure Trends: Ten Issues Confronting Law Firms, Bloomberg BNA (2017)
•A Year Later, Did Runner v. New York Stock Exch., Inc., Really Expand the Application of Labor Law Section 240(1)? Defense Digest, June Vol. 17, No. 2 (2011)

Community Activities

•New York Road Runners

In the News

•Victory in Labor Law Action: Multi-Plaintiff Case Dismissed
•Surplus Line Insurer Secures Defense in Policy Limits Arbitration
•Amended Insurance Disclosure Act Brings Sigh of Relief for Insurers

Honors & Recognitions

•Super Lawyers 'Rising Star' (2014)