Helene R. Hechtkopf

Experience

First-chaired a trial in the Southern District of New York representing the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority in a lawsuit brought by an MTA police officer who claimed to have been injured on the job while making an arrest. Won a defense verdict at trial. 

Currently representing New York City Transit in a class action alleging that its elevators are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Representing a state agency in a multimillion-dollar software and construction litigation against a defense contractor in the Southern District of New York, culminating in a five-week bench trial. 

Defending a state-employed psychiatrist in a Section 1983 and tort claim brought by the family of a deceased prisoner. 

Obtained a rare defense win on summary judgment on behalf of a public railroad against Federal Railroad Safety Act whistleblower claims. 

Won a motion to dismiss on behalf of Metro-North Railroad in a claim brought by a passenger under the Americans with Disabilities Act claiming that Metro-North was in violation of the law for failing to provide a wheelchair to the passenger upon his arrival at Grand Central Terminal. Obtained a decision of first impression from the court, holding that railroads are not required by the ADA to provide wheelchairs to customers. 

Won summary judgment on an employment discrimination claim brought by an employee and successfully defended the subsequent appeal to the Second Circuit. 

Won summary judgment on a claim brought against a state agency by an employee under the Federal Employers Liability Act. 

Successfully concluded a bench trial in the Southern District of New York on a multimillion-dollar claim involving disputed ownership of property.

Successfully represented a state agency in several criminal mental health proceedings.

Submitted a brief on behalf of a foreign energy company to the New York State Court of Appeals.

Representing an international testing company in a class action litigation brought in the District of Puerto Rico involving an oil facility explosion.

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