Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP

Professional Experience:

Andrew Cook’s practice is dedicated to the representation of insurance companies in the defense and prosecution of their interests in the state and federal courts of New York State. His experience ranges from general negligence defense work, including motor vehicle and premises liability, to complex insurance coverage, construction site, dental malpractice and property damage subrogation litigation. Previously, Mr. Cook was a partner in the law offices of Newman Fitch Altheim & Myers, P.C. of New York City. Some of his noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Won defense verdicts on general liability, contract and dental malpractice cases;
• Successfully appealed New York Supreme Court’s denial of motion for summary judgment dismissing case against insurance company for lack of personal jurisdiction;
• Voided ab initio automobile liability insurance policy precluding third-party claims based on insured’s misrepresentation of location of garaging of insured vehicle in a case venued in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Education:

University of Colorado School of Law, J.D., 1983.

University of Rochester, B.A., 1977.

Professional Memberships and Activities:

Admitted to practice in New York State and Colorado. Admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Member of the New York State Bar Association and the New York County Lawyers’ Association.

Selected Reported Cases:

Franklin v. Catawba Insurance Company, 291 A.D.2d 371 (2nd Dep’t 2001), motion to appeal denied, 98 N.Y.2d 604 (2002).

American Centennial Insurance Company v. Sinkler, 903 F. Supp. 408 (E.D.N.Y. 1995).