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Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLPPartner
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Brian W. Colistra

5.0
1 review

33 Riverside Avenue, Suite 502, Westport, CT 06880 + 2 locations

Aviation and Aerospace Litigation, Commercial and Business Litigation, Complex Tort and Casualty and 7 more

About Brian W. Colistra

Brian Colistra has an impressive legal career with expertise in several practice areas, including aviation, product liability, premises liability, general liability, and asbestos defense. He has led over 100 bench and jury trials as the primary trial counsel, securing numerous directed and defense verdicts for his clients. With five years serving as an Assistant District Attorney, finishing in the Violent Felony Unit, he refined his trial skills, maintaining a remarkable record in felony and misdemeanor convictions, establishing himself as a tenacious trial attorney.

Transitioning to civil practice, Brian continued his zealous advocacy by defending a wide range of high-profile cases across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. In his national aviation practice, he represents airport owners, aircraft manufacturers, and other industry vendors in cases varying from complex aircraft crashes to simple accidents on airport property. Notably, he defended a renowned motorcycle company against asbestos-related wrongful death claims. Brian's litigation achievements and his expertise in handling intricate wrongful death cases led a Fortune 500 insurance company to engage him to defend a high-profile residential fire incident that garnered national attention. Additionally, he serves as the primary regional counsel for an A+ rated insurance company, defending claims of premises, product, general, and automobile liability.

A 2020 selection to Connecticut's Lawyers of Distinction, Brian has been a lecturer for the New York State Bar Association and has provided in-house Continuing Legal Education classes for insurance adjusters.

Experience

• Appellate Win in New York Forklift Accident Case

4.9.24

In The News

Appellate Win in New York Forklift Accident Case

Honors & Recognitions

Connecticut's Lawyers of Distinction (2020)

 

Brian W. Colistra (Westport, Connecticut) View website

Awards

Peer Reviewed Rated
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Reviews for Brian W.

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Insurance
  • Other 9
    • Aviation and Aerospace Litigation
    • Commercial and Business Litigation
    • Complex Tort and Casualty
    • Construction
    • Dram Shop Litigation
    • Employment
    • Product Liability
    • Public Entity Defense
    • Toxic Tort and Occupational Exposure

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1998, New York
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
    U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
    U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    New York Law School
    Class of 1995
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Canisius College
    Class of 1991
    B.A.

Contact Brian W. Colistra

Partner at Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
5.0
1 review

33 Riverside Avenue, Suite 502Westport, CT 06880U.S.A.

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Fax: 475.755.7039

5 Waller Avenue, Suite 200White Plains, NY 10601U.S.A.

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Fax: 475.755.7039

685 Third Avenue, 18th FloorNew York, NY 10017U.S.A.

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Fax: 475.755.7039
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Other Office Locations

White Plains, NY

5 Waller Avenue, Suite 200White Plains, NY 10601U.S.A.

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New York, NY

685 Third Avenue, 18th FloorNew York, NY 10017U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Brian W. Colistra was admitted in 1998 to the State of New York.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Brian W. Colistra has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP has 500 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Brian W. Colistra attended New York Law School.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP was established in 1997.

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