Thomas E. Reidy, Partner

Practice Focus & Experience

Mr. Reidy maintains a diverse civil litigation and trial practice involving representation of clients in commercial and non-commercial matters before federal and state courts in all parts of New York and in other states. Mr. Reidy has defended corporations in toxic tort class actions and individual cases in actions seeking personal injury, property damage and injunctive relief arising from alleged exposure to multiple chemicals emanating from manufacturing facilities and landfills. Mr. Reidy also has defended chemical manufacturers and distributors in product liability actions arising from occupational exposure to industrial and laboratory chemicals.

Mr. Reidy’s environmental litigation experience includes defense of cost recovery actions brought by the federal and state governments and private parties, federal citizen suit actions and nuisance claims. Mr. Reidy has defended several claims involving ground water contamination from industrial facilities and the spreading of PCB contaminated waste oils.

Mr. Reidy’s business litigation practice has involved representation of corporations in a variety of court and arbitration proceedings, including most recently an extensive arbitration regarding a dispute over the operation, repair and maintenance of a cogeneration facility. He also has defended plan administrators and fiduciaries in actions brought under ERISA to recover pension, health, disability and life insurance benefits, including the successful trial of an ERISA class action seeking pension benefits arising from the sale of a corporate division.

Mr. Reidy has experience representing gas and electric utilities in numerous commercial and non-commercial cases, including business disputes between utilities and their suppliers and contractors, and between utilities and Energy Service Companies. Mr. Reidy also has represented utilities in a wide variety of claims arising from natural gas explosions, electrical fires, electrocutions and construction accidents.

Mr. Reidy was a founding member of Ward Norris Heller & Reidy LLP in May 2000, and was a member of that firm until April 2010, when it became Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy LLP. He was a litigation partner of Nixon Peabody, LLP and its predecessor, Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP, from 1989 through May 2000.

Education

• Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1980
• Temple University, B.S., 1977

Bar Admissions

• New York, 1981
• Florida, 1982

Court Admissions

• U.S. Courts of Appeals (Second and Third Circuits)
• U.S. District Courts of New York (All Districts)

Professional Activities & Memberships

• American Bar Association (Litigation Section)
• Monroe County Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute

Professional Recognition & Awards

• Listed in New York Best Lawyers
• Listed in New York Super Lawyers
• Martindale-Hubbell AV rating

Selected Publications and Presentations

• New York Editor, Product Liability Desk Reference – A Fifty-State Compendium (Aspen)