About Scott
Scott Philbin: Litigation Attorney in Buffalo, New York
Scott Philbin is a respected and experienced litigation attorney based in Buffalo, New York, providing comprehensive legal counsel at the trial and appellate levels. With a robust background in both state and federal court, Mr. Philbin specializes in handling a diverse range of complex business and commercial matters for corporations, insurers, and financial institutions. His strategic approach and meticulous attention to detail have consistently achieved favorable outcomes for his clients across numerous industries.
Mr. Philbin’s expertise spans a broad spectrum of legal challenges, including breach of contract disputes, the intricacies of leasing heavy construction equipment, enforcing critical non-compete agreements, navigating complex banking litigation, advocating for investor claims, and resolving commercial paper disputes. He possesses a deep understanding of both litigation strategy and legal precedent, allowing him to effectively represent his clients’ interests and achieve the most advantageous resolutions.
Beyond his core business litigation experience, Mr. Philbin has a notable track record in handling sensitive and specialized cases. He has consistently represented clients in matters involving toxic tort claims related to silica and benzene exposure, intricate insurance coverage disputes, challenging trust and estate litigation, commercial foreclosures, and the defense of professionals facing malpractice accusations – specifically attorneys and accountants. His skill extends to complex zoning and land use actions, as well as the defense of insurance claims, demonstrating his adaptability and comprehensive legal knowledge.
Mr. Philbin's dedication to meticulous investigation and aggressive representation is evident in his extensive relevant experience. Notably, he successfully defended a municipality against a putative class action suit alleging environmental exposure claims stemming from a landfill, demonstrating his proficiency in navigating complex environmental litigation. He has also repeatedly defended businesses in claims for wrongful death arising out of workplace accidents, showcasing his commitment to protecting his clients' assets and reputations. Furthermore, he successfully defended a media company against a putative class action suit related to unpaid wages and prosecuted actions to enforce the terms of non-compete agreements, consistently securing favorable outcomes.
His expertise extends to the specific complexities of construction equipment leasing, where he has represented leasing companies in the enforcement of lease terms and facilitated the repossession of equipment from food processing plants. He is also a recognized authority in toxic tort litigation, having defended silica suppliers against claims of silicosis resulting from occupational exposure, a testament to his thorough understanding of industrial safety and liability issues. Mr. Philbin's skills were instrumental in securing a dismissal of a wrongful death case against an architectural firm and, crucially, in securing an appellate court reversal of a village zoning board of appeals’ denial of a variance to a builder of an apartment complex, showcasing his courtroom prowess and strategic thinking.
Mr. Philbin’s commitment to providing meticulous representation is reinforced by his experience defending a financial institution against allegations of improper stock transfer based upon fraudulent endorsement and representing a law firm in a declaratory judgment action seeking coverage from a professional liability carrier related to legal malpractice action. These complex matters demonstrate his ability to tackle sophisticated legal challenges with precision and expertise.
Practice Areas
- Commercial Litigation
- Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
- Trust and Estate Litigation
- Breach of Contract
- Banking Litigation
- Insurance Coverage Disputes
- Zoning/Land Use Actions
- Toxic Tort Litigation (Silica & Benzene)
- Construction Equipment Disputes
- Defensive Litigation (Attorneys & Accountants)
Education & Credentials
- Experienced Litigator – Dedicated to achieving the most favorable outcomes for his clients through strategic legal representation.
- Proven Track Record – Successfully represented clients in a diverse range of complex litigation matters at both the trial and appellate levels.
- Recognized Expertise – Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2024
- Buffalo-Based Legal Counsel – Providing local expertise and personalized attention to clients in the Buffalo metropolitan area.
Bar Admissions
New York Bar
Reported Representative Matters
- Kowalek v. Keystone Medical Services of New York, P.C. 197 A.D. 3d 893 (4th Dept. 2021)
- Matter of Bingham v. Town of Wheatfield, 185 A.D.3d 1482 (4th Dept. 2020)
- Rink v. State of New York, 87 A.D.3d 1372 (4th Dept. 2011)
- Rickicki v. Borden Chemical, et al., 60 A.D.3d 1276 (4th Dept. 2009)
- Kenmore Tonawanda School Dist. v. State of New York, 38 A.D.3d 203 (1st Dept. 2007)
- W.K.J. Young Group v. ZBA of the Village of Lancaster, 16 A.D.3d 1021 (4th Dept. 2005)
- Carpenter v. Penn Traffic Co., 296 A.D.2d 842 (4th Dept. 2002)
- Raquet v. J. M. Braun Builders, Inc., 273 A.D.2d 850 (4th Dept. 2000)
- Raquet v. Zane, 269 A.D.2d 876 (4th Dept. 2000)
