Vincent Chirico


Vince Chirico provides a strong presence in New York for Stewart Smith, where he has nearly 30 years of involvement in civil litigation and business counseling.

His vast experience in litigation includes serving as national coordinating counsel for Fortune 500 companies in nationwide and cross-border, industry-wide and individual matters from inception through trial and appeal in federal and state courts. He has litigated insurance defense cases concerning product liability, toxic tort, drug/device, medical malpractice and construction.

His extensive background in litigation includes heading his previous firm’s appellate practice, which was comprised of complex litigation matters for various commercial, healthcare, construction, maritime and transportation clients. He also coordinated trial and settlement strategies, supervising partners and associates to preserve consistent client mission.

Vince additionally offers a wide range of transactional experience, focusing on business formation and transactions, real estate, estate planning, bankruptcy, tax and related counseling services. He counsels established businesses as well as start-ups on critical elements such as licensing, risk management, financing, insurance, asset management acquisitions and government and community relations.

A key aspect of his practice is his ability to collaborate with other firms, which he does frequently, developing strategies and providing guidance for trials and appeals.

In addition to memberships in the New York State and City Bar Associations, Vince serves as Chairperson of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, President of the American-Italian Coalition of Organizations and Vice President of the Dyker Heights Athletic Association. He is on the Board of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, a member of Brooklyn’s Community Board #11, where he chairs the Law Committee and serves on the committees on Commercial Development, Health, Social Services and Seniors, and Housing and Landmarks, and also serves on the Investors Bank Advisory Board for New York City.

For 11 years, Vince taught at New York Law School as an Adjunct Professor for Legal Writing and Appellate Advocacy. He has contributed annually to the American Bar Association’s “The International Lawyer,” focusing on the Extraterritorial Application of United States Law and Jurisdiction.

Vince earned his J.D. at New York Law School and his B.S. at the City University of New York.

Primary Practice Areas


Areas of Focus
  • Appellate Practice
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Crisis Management
  • Drug, Medical Device, and Chemicals Litigation
  • Long Term & Managed Care
  • Products Liability
  • Retail & Hospitality

Feiliks Int’l Logistics Hong Kong Ltd. v. Feiliks Glob. Logistics Corp., 685 F. App’x 59 (2d Cir. 2017). Frustration of performance excused defendant company’s failure to repay $300,000 loan, where plaintiff lenders breached their implied duty of good faith and fair dealing under loan agreement by undermining company’s business by diverting customers to competitors.

Rabon-Willimack v. Robert Mondavi Corp., 73 A.D.3d 1007 (2nd Dept. 2010). Summary judgment affirmed on product liability matter involving an allegedly defective wine bottle; court held manufacturer had no duty to warn of another product’s known defects.

Meyer v. Alex Lyon & Son Sales Managers & Auctioneers, Inc., 67 A.D.3d 547 (1st Dept. 2009). Manufacturer and seller of telescoping boom lift held not liable for collapse where proximate cause of accident was purchaser’s own disregard of repair company’s representation that lift was unsafe and not certified for use.

John Galliano, S.A. v. Stallion, Inc., 15 N.Y.3d 75 (2010). Appeal (and subsequent U.S. Supreme Court Writ of Certiorari) seeking to reverse French default judgment on Constitutional grounds.

Costello v. Costello Shea & Gaffney, LLP, 93 A.D.3d 684 (2nd Dept. 2012). The terms “capital account” and “capital interest” in a partnership agreement held to have different meanings, and thus deceased partner’s “capital account” held not forfeited when “capital interest” was surrendered.

  • Adjunct Professor of Appellate Advocacy, Persuasion, and Legal Writing and Reasoning at New York Law School (2000-2011)
  • Lecturer, Marino Legal (2012 – present)
  • Columbian Lawyers Association
  • New York City Bar Association (Member, Tort Litigation Committee)
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Brooklyn Bar Association
HONORS

American Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy

PUBLICATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

American Bar Association – The International Lawyer (2004 – 2005) Annual Year-in-Review contributions on Extraterritorial Application of United States Law and Personal Jurisdiction

Mealey’s Litigation Reports (Various 1998 – 2001) Lead Exposure Does Not Make a Lead Poisoning Case, The Pervasive Presence of Lead

Law Journal Seminars Press Juarez v. Wavecrest: A Defense Counsel’s Interpretation

National Association of Settlement Providers (November 2011) “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems: Ensuring Approval of New York Settlement Transfer Agreements”

CHARITABLE & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT AND PERSONAL INTERESTS

President, American-Italian Coalition of Organizations, Inc. (www.amicoinc.org)

Board Chairperson, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (www.obtjobs.org)

Vice President, Dyker Heights Athletic Association (www.knightsaa.org)