Insurance defense law firm Goetz Schenker Blee & Wiederhorn LLP is pleased to announce that it has changed its name, adding Steven J. Wiederhorn as a named senior partner alongside founding partners Marisa Goetz, Robert C. Schenker, and David I. Blee. The firm provides legal advice and representation to insurance companies and self-insured corporations across the United States.

“Steven has been a firm partner since 2006, and brings many years of commitment to our clients and senior leadership team,” said Schenker, who serves as managing partner. “He is a highly regarded leader in the insurance defense legal arena, and we look forward to his continued contribution as an integral part of Goetz Schenker Blee & Wiederhorn.”

Wiederhorn said, “It is an honor to be recognized as a key contributor to our firm’s success, and included among its leadership along with co-founders Marisa, Robert and David. Together, we look forward to taking Goetz Schenker Blee & Wiederhorn into the next decade.”

Wiederhorn, co-managing partner of the firm’s New Jersey office, has more than 25 years of litigation experience. He is responsible for the account management of several leading insurance carriers across the United States and defends some of the firm’s more complex cases in the areas of general negligence, product liability, consumer fraud, catastrophic fires, construction defects, civil rights litigation, employment law and representation of public entities. Wiederhorn also has extensive experience in the area of premises liability, with work conducted on behalf of statewide commercial and residential properties and regional recreational facilities. Additionally, he has been on the leading edge of coverage and development of litigation strategies in the emerging rideshare sector. Wiederhorn received his J.D. from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis and his Bachelor of Arts from Duke University.

Goetz has more than 30 years of experience trying cases in New York and New Jersey. She represents insurance carriers and self-insured professionals in tort cases involving construction accidents, premises and products liability, coverage and commercial auto cases. Additionally, she has represented municipal defendants including the City of New York, the New York Housing Authority, the City of North Port and the Town of Greenburgh. Goetz also served as a member of the defense team that handled the World Trade Center litigation. She received her J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) from Fordham University.

Schenker is the managing partner of the firm’s New York office. With more than 30 years of experience exclusively in the insurance defense field, he focuses his practice primarily in the areas of New York state labor law, construction defect, product liability and premises liability matters, as well as complex coverage issues. He has been at the forefront of a movement that encourages direct early negotiations on complex claims between counsel that eliminates the need for costly and protracted litigation for his clients. Schenker received his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University.

Blee is co-managing partner and a founding member of the firm’s New Jersey office. He has defended and tried to verdict a wide-ranging number of cases involving premises liability, commercial vehicles, consumer fraud, property damage, professional liability and construction claims throughout the state. Blee has worked extensively with many Fortune 500 insurance companies in their personal, commercial and excess/surplus lines of business over the past three decades. Blee received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from Union College.

About Goetz Schenker Blee & Wiederhorn LLP

Goetz Schenker Blee & Wiederhorn LLP is a full-service insurance defense law firm serving clients nationally from offices in New York City and Livingston, N.J. The firm provides legal advice and representation to insurance companies and self-insured corporations across the United States. Firm attorneys handle matters involving premises liability, product liability, toxic torts, construction defect, lead, mold and asbestos contamination, construction (including violations of New York state labor laws), motor vehicle liability, first party claims, fraud investigations and subrogation. Additionally, the firm maintains a highly distinguished appellate practice, and has argued cases before the New York Court of Appeals. For more information, visit www.gsbwlaw.com.