Scott K. Winikow
Partner
Experience
Scott K. Winikow is a litigation partner in the Professional Practices Group in Donovan Hatem’s New York office. He has extensive experience representing architects, engineers, and other professionals, as well as owners and contractors, in a variety of commercial and construction matters. With over 16 years of experience, Scott has successfully litigated complex matters at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as in arbitrations and other alternative dispute resolution venues nationwide. Prior to joining Donovan Hatem, Scott was a partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP.
Admitted to Practice
- New York
- New Jersey
- Florida
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- United States District Court of New Jersey
- United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Education
- The George Washington University Law School(J.D., with Honors,1993)
- Cornell University (B.S., 1990)
Business and Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- ACEC-NY (Affiliate membership)
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Co-author of the “Mechanic’s Liens” chapter of New York Construction Law, Aspen Publishers, 2003.
Representative Matters
- Obtained defense verdict in favor of A/E firm in personal injury action in which plaintiff and co-defendants argued that plaintiff’s injuries were caused by defective design and/or improper site observations of A/E.
- Successfully moved to dismiss contractor’s claims against architect for additional costs incurred as a result of alleged improper plans and specifications prepared by architect since contractor lacked privity, or its functional equivalent, with architect.
- Successfully moved to dismiss condominium unit Owner’s indemnification claim against architect for water and mold damage to adjacent unit because Owner had a contractual and statutory duty to keep its unit in good repair.
- Successfully moved to dismiss Condominium Association’s indemnification claim against architect for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of architect in personal injury action on the grounds that the architect did not supervise nor control the injured worker’s work.
- Obtained summary judgment on liability in favor of Building Owner against industrial hygienist and asbestos abatement contractor for their respective failures to properly perform an asbestos abatement project.
- Successfully mediated claims against structural engineer concerning a truss collapse.
- Successfully convinced multiple plaintiffs and other parties to voluntarily discontinue claims for personal injuries against structural engineer arising from the partial collapse of a parking garage.