Neil F. Brenes, Partner

Neil F. Brenes is a veteran trial partner with extensive experience handling a wide variety of claims with multi-million dollar exposure. His practice is largely devoted to the management and trial of complex medical malpractice and products liability cases. Mr. Brenes has received a highly distinguished Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ based on legal ability and ethical standards and is recognized as a Top 1% Trial Counsel.

In the area of medical malpractice, Mr. Brenes counsels and defends physicians, major teaching hospitals, nurses and other health care professionals in high-exposure cases involving alleged neurosurgical, orthopedic and bariatric surgery mismanagement; claims of emergency room negligence; vascular and general surgical claims; and allegations of failing to diagnose and properly treat infectious diseases and other medical conditions. As part of the firm’s product liability defense team, he has represented one of the “Big Three” domestic automobile manufacturers in light truck rollover litigation and cases involving a range of industry issues, including: seat belt design, roof strength and unintended acceleration. He has lectured on products liability issues for the New York State Bar Association.

Over the course of almost 30 years, Mr. Brenes has tried a wide range of general liability cases involving construction site accidents and claims brought under New York’s Labor Law as well as handled the complex contractual indemnification and insurance issues frequently involved in these cases. He has successfully defended and tried numerous premises liability, dram shop, automobile liability and property damage cases. He also counsels and represents clients in commercial litigation matters involving complex contract disputes and alleged violations of state and federal law.

Highlights of his top verdicts include:

• Munoz v. NYPH, defense verdict in a case involving an alleged failure to timely diagnose and treat necrotizing fasciitis and compartment syndrome.
• Fisher v. Cholst, defense verdict in a case involving an alleged failure to diagnose a uterine sarcoma.
• Santos v. Ford Motor Company, defense verdict in an SUV rollover case involving two deaths and severe personal injuries and claims of defective handling and stability, defective seatbelts and inadequate roof strength.

Mr. Brenes graduated cum laude from Boston University and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School. He served as an intern in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Civil Division, while attending law school. He is admitted to practice in New York State Courts and in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.