Lewis Brisbois is pleased to announce that New York Partner Ian B. Lane, a member of the firm’s National Trial Team, has been elected president of the Southern New York Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) for the 2027-2028 term. In this role, Mr. Lane will help lead the organization's efforts to promote excellence in trial advocacy, to foster professionalism within the legal profession, and to advance the chapter's educational, professional, and public service initiatives. Lewis Brisbois has nearly 40 ABOTA members across the country.
"I am deeply honored by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me," said Mr. Lane. "ABOTA plays a vital role in preserving the right to trial by jury and promoting the highest standards of professionalism, civility, and advocacy. I look forward to working with our members to advance those goals, support the development of the next generation of trial lawyers, and strengthen the important role of the civil justice system."
Lewis Brisbois’ National Managing Partner Greg Katz noted, "Ian's election to this leadership position reflects the respect he has earned among the bench and bar through his commitment to advocacy, professionalism, and service. We congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued leadership within the legal community."
Mr. Katz established the firm’s National Trial practice more than a decade ago. The interdisciplinary team now includes almost 200 experienced trial attorneys who regularly defend cases involving seven-, eight-, and nine-figure exposures in jurisdictions across the United States, often parachuting into matters days before trial. They routinely defend matters in notoriously plaintiff-friendly venues.
ABOTA is a national organization of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial right guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Membership is by invitation only and is limited to attorneys and jurists who have demonstrated extensive trial experience, exceptional professionalism, integrity, civility, and dedication to the preservation of the civil jury trial.
Mr. Lane focuses his practice on the defense of complex civil litigation matters, including transportation, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, insurance coverage, and municipal liability cases. Throughout his career, he has represented businesses, municipalities, insurers, and transportation clients in high-exposure matters in both state and federal courts. He is an experienced trial lawyer with substantial courtroom experience and regularly handles matters involving significant personal injury, wrongful death, transportation, and complex liability issues.