Richard Steigman Earns 2027 Best Lawyers Honor

Richard M. Steigman, a partner at Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, has been named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation, Plaintiffs in New York City. The distinction is awarded to one lawyer within a specific practice area and geographic region. It is Steigman’s second Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” recognition, following his 2022 honor in Medical Malpractice Law, Plaintiffs in New York City. The recognition follows his work as lead trial counsel in litigation tied to the 2015 Metro-North Valhalla train crash, which led to settlements exceeding $182 million.

Metro North Litigation

Steigman and the firm’s managing partner, Ben B. Rubinowitz, served as lead trial counsel for plaintiffs during the liability phase of litigation arising from the 2015 Metro-North Valhalla train crash, described as the deadliest accident in Metro-North Railroad history.

After a six-week trial in Westchester County, a jury found Metro-North 71% responsible for the collision and the driver of the vehicle 29% responsible. The liability verdict paved the way for settlements exceeding $182 million for the families of five passengers killed in the crash and dozens more who were injured.

Medical Malpractice Trial Work

Steigman also served on a trial team with Rubinowitz and partner Jeffrey B. Bloom that secured a $120 million medical malpractice verdict in Westchester County. The case concerned a 41-year-old husband and father who suffered catastrophic brain damage after a basilar artery stroke was not timely diagnosed and treated.

The verdict ranked No. 1 in New York State across all practice areas in 2023. Steigman’s practice includes complex personal injury and medical malpractice cases, spanning case preparation, trial work and appellate proceedings in New York state and federal courts.

A Longstanding Firm Career

Steigman graduated with distinction from Hofstra University School of Law and served on the Hofstra Law Review. His relationship with the firm began before he became an attorney, when he worked there as a paralegal. He returned as an attorney in 1997 and later became a partner.

The latest Best Lawyers® recognition reflects a career representing seriously injured individuals and families in consequential New York cases, with trial results across personal injury and medical malpractice litigation.