Thomas Kocian | Staten Island Divorce & Personal Injury Lawyer

Just this past year our firm was able to obtain an extremely favorable settlement, just prior to jury selection, on a case where proving liability was extremely challenging. The case involved a falldown on private property, and the liability decision turned on the involvement of a General Contractor of who allegedly did not perform work at the site of the incident, but who filed for all of the permits and approvals with the NYC Building Department. We were able to identify the facts of this case and parallel them to a Court of Appeals decision, of which supported our position that simply because a GC alleges they did not perform work, they still maintained a sufficient connection to the situs of the incident to incur liability. Key to the arguments we made was a public policy argument that when making an application to a public entity, like the Department of Buildings, a business is making a statement to the public that the information made public, concerning the application, can and should be relied upon.

I believe my practice has succeeded over the past 15 years due to the fact that clients see the effort and attention to detail that I am able to provide, and, because of this, we obtain the maximum result for them because of this. My business almost always comes from past clients that refer new clients to me.

Someone that is honest and forthright and doesn't just tell them something because it's what the Attorney thinks the client will want to hear. I am honest and straightforward with my clients, and openly share with them what is in their best interest. For example, in hourly cases, such as with a Divorce, often clients can lose perspective on the overall goal, and desire for the Attorney to operate in a way that might make them feel temporarily happy, but ultimately cost them more than it is worth. Client's should seek an Attorney who will not hesitate to take action that will result in the Attorney taking in a smaller fee, but getting the client to their ultimate goal. Ultimately, the client should seek an Attorney that will treat them fairly at all costs.

Knowledge of the law, and a strong grasp of reasonability is what is ultimately brings success to a case. This would include knowing your County and what (typically) is acceptable in that County and what is (typically) not acceptable in that County.

During a phone conversation the Attorney can provide the client with a basic understanding what issues could be important to a successful outcome of their legal issue.

During the phone conversation the potential client should have as much factual knowledge about their situation as possible; with that the Attorney can obtain a clearer picture of what the legal hurdles the client could expect to face as their matter moves forward.

When you hire my firm, you are hiring me directly. I will oversee the management of your case, and be actively involved in it. from the beginning until the end.

Providing a result that makes the client feel good about having come to my firm in the first place is extremely rewarding.

I am a high school baseball coach at a prestigious school on Staten Island, and have been a part of a program that has won several city championships over the past couple of years. I also am an avid reader of anything related to American History - you'll almost never find me without a book regarding 18th or 19th century America in my backpack.

I teach history and finance at my alma mater, and I am a member of the Council of the Port Richmond Historical Society.

• New York State Bar Association | Member
  Connecticut State Bar Association | Member

• Over 19 years of experience practicing law.

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