quiat_michael_e

Biography

Michael Quiat, a practicing attorney for more than 40 years, is a senior partner with Uscher, Quiat, Uscher & Russo, P.C. He began his career in New York City, where he had a diverse and active career involving Federal and State court litigation in a wide variety of fields and specialties.

In 1996, he obtained one of the nation’s ten biggest defense verdicts in Teague v. Bakker, which involved a securities fraud class action lawsuit against the former television evangelist.

Current Position

  • Senior Partner

Education

  • Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, New York
    • J.D.
  • Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
    • B.S. – 1978
    • Honors: magna cum laude
    • Honors: Oracle Society
    • Major: Politics

Since then, Michael has turned his major attention to matters of complex insurance litigation, with an emphasis on disability income insurance claims, ERISA claims, Life Insurance claims and related fields. He is now one of the region’s foremost legal authorities on such complex insurance issues.

A former Law Review editor in his law school days, Michael is a member of the New Jersey, New York City and Bergen County Bar Associations.

In addition to a strong background in disability insurance litigation matters, Mike has significant experience in other types of health and life insurance coverage disputes with carriers. He has pursued disability income cases, most under ERISA laws and regulations, with UnumProvident and every major life and disability insurer in the U.S. In addition to his busy ongoing practice, Michael finds the time to lecture and write on health and disability insurance, ERISA and related issues.

Having represented many clients in a wide variety of insurance matters, long ago to maintain a focus on claimant representation for disability and life insurance disputes. “This type of work is so much more rewarding,” he says. “It is making an important contribution to the lives of so many people who have lost the ability to work and earn a living for themselves and their families. “These people must be heard.”

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • New York City Bar Association, Member, 2006 to Current
  • Bergen County Bar Association, Member, 1995 to 2006
  • New Jersey Bar Association

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • Teague v. Bakker

CLASSES & SEMINARS

  • Health and Disability Insurance, ERISA

PAST POSITIONS

  • Obermaier, Morvillo & Abramolvitz, Associate, 1981 to 1985