Thomas R. Newman of Duane Morris. Photo: Ryland West/ALM

Advocacy

  • Briefed 113 appeals in N.Y. Court of Appeals and argued 63 during 1963-2018. Won 54 of them.
  • Briefed and argued 30 appeals in Second Circuit, and hundreds in the Appellate Division. Argued in Supreme Courts of California and Connecticut, Illinois Appellate Court and Sixth Circuit. Filed numerous certiorari petitions; Only one granted., Della Rocca v United States, 388 F2d 525 (2d Cir. 1968) vacated and remanded, 390 US 745 (1968); co-counsel, Albrecht v. The Herald Co., 390 US 145 (1968).
  • Lead trial counsel in more than 60 insurance/reinsurance arbitrations. Expert witness on NY law or co-counsel in over 25 arbitrations in London and Bermuda (1991-2015).
  • On team of lawyers representing plaintiff for over 10 years in Haberman v. Xander Corp. and The City of Long Beach (Sup. Ct., Nassau Co.), that resulted in settlement with Xander and $147,000,000 verdict and judgment for plaintiff in May 2021.
  • Qualified and testified as an expert in U.S. and U.K. cases involving primary and excess insurer issues in coverage disputes.
Thomas R. Newman of Duane Morris. Photo: Ryland West/ALM

Lecturer

• Co-editor and co-chairman of annual Insurance, Excess and Reinsurance Coverage Disputes, PLI programs (1983-97). • NYSBA and local Bar Associations on appellate practice. • Naturalization ceremony in USDC, EDNY, 5/17/2017.

Pro Bono

    • Currently representing Afghan migrants in Immigration Court, seeking asylum because of fear of persecution. Matter of Haqdost, A241014977
    • Represented criminal defendants on appeals pro bono, including my brother, Dr. Robert Newman, while Assistant Commissioner of Health and head of NYC's methadone maintenance program. A witness to a shooting told police she believed she had seen the killer at a methadone maintenance clinic. The DA subpoenaed photographs of patients at that clinic. Dr. Newman refused to turn them over, believing that would compromise the program and cause many addicts to leave the program or not enter it, and moved to quash the subpoena. After losing below Dr. Newman won in the Court of Appeals. People v. Robert Newman, 32 NY2d 379, cert. den. 414 US 1163 (1974).
    • Represented defendant, a vicious killer of a police officer, pro bono, in People v. Robert Moll, 21 NY2d 706 (1967) (lost appeal, 5-2).
    • Represented defendant pro bono and obtained a reversal on double jeopardy grounds in People v. LoCicero, 14 NY2d 374 (1964).
    • Represented client convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 45 years imprisonment. Visited him at Sing Sing Prison twice and submitted plea to Kings County D.A.'s Conviction Review Unit to review the case.
    • Participated in writing amicus brief supporting post-conviction motion; that resulted in a new trial for client after 10 years in prison for arson and manslaughter. Client was never retried. Commonwealth v. Robert Yell, Kentucky Logan Circuit Court, Case No. 04-CR-00232 (12/28/2016).
    • Was on amicus brief in Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund & Muslim Advocates v. NYPD, 125 AD3d 531 (1st Dept. 2015).