Varvaro, Cotter, Bender & Walthall: Our Attorneys

Mr. Varvaro has handled cases in the areas of products liability, premises liability, automobile liability, labor law liability, medical malpractice, defamation, excessive force, contract disputes and property/boundary disputes.

Ms. Cotter focuses her practice on insurance defense litigation. She represents institutions and individuals in complex, high exposure personal injury litigation matters.

Mr. Bender has practiced in the areas of general liability, premises liability, construction site liability, products liability, and automobile liability. He is also experienced in defending professional liability litigation on behalf of various categories of professionals including debt collectors, franchisors, employment agencies, property managers and travel agents.

Stephen J. Cassels is a Senior Attorney with Chubb’s White Plains, New York House Counsel firm Varvaro, Cotter, Bender & Walthall. Stephen handles many types of cases from inception through trial and appeal. Stephen handles personal injury cases, including products liability, wrongful death, construction accident, premises liability, elevator, negligent security, and motor vehicle cases.

Mr. Walthall served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County for four years.  As an A.D.A. he prosecuted various crimes and completed a number of trials.  Mr. Walthall's practice areas include premises and products liability, automobile liability and general negligence.

Lateef A. Bell is an Associate in the Casualty Practice Group of the White Plains House Counsel firm of Varvaro, Cotter, Bender & Walthall.  Prior to joining Chubb’s House Counsel, Mr. Bell was a solo practitioner and handled commercial litigation and commercial transactions.

Chris Coleman is a Trial Attorney at Chubb’s White Plains House Counsel firm Varvaro, Cotter, Bender & Walthall.  Prior to joining Chubb’s House Counsel, Chris was House Counsel at a large insurance company and handled primarily premises and automobile negligence cases. He has 25 years of experience in all phases of litigation and has tried many cases to verdict. After earning his law degree, he clerked for the Chief Judge the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Subsequently, Chris was with defense firms in Washington D.C., Maryland, and New York City, where his practice areas included construction, automobile, professional and premises liability cases.