Daniela F. Henriques began her legal career at Leav & Steinberg in 2002. Motivated by her desire to make an impact as an advocate for the seriously injured, she continued to work as a paralegal at the firm while attending law school full time. She received her J.D. from New York Law School in Manhattan, where she graduated cum laude. She was the recepient of the New York State Bar Association Legal Ethics Award.

Upon joining the firm as a lawyer in 2005, Ms. Henriques continued to work on all aspects of case investigation, client and witness interviews, drafting and overseeing pleadings, writing and arguing appeals and motions, plaintiffs' and defendants' examinations before trial, court appearances and trial preparation.

Ms. Henriques's speciality is legal research, analysis and writing. Ms. Henriques's insights into what is necessary to support or defend a particular legal argument has made her a valued asset in both providing support to the trial attorneys and winning motions and appeals. Because of her astute abilities to research and analyze legal issues, Ms. Henriques is often asked to prepare and argue pre-trial motions concerning labor law claims, municipality and premises liability, as well as motor vehicle accident cases. Since joining Leav & Steinberg, she has prepared and argued appeals in both the Second and First Departments of the Appellate Division.

Often, Ms. Henriques's ability to argue the application of a given set of facts to governing law, secures a favorable judgment, thereby eliminating the need for a liability trial. At other times, her vigourous opposition to dismissal motions, defeats a defendants' motion, thereby keeping viable defendants in the case to contribute towards a settlement for plaintiffs. Her careful assessment, hard-work ethic and devotion to each client and their families, have made her a great addition to Leav & Steinberg.

Verdicts & Settlements

$375,000 verdict after inquest; $350,000 settlement obtained after preparation of a motion compelling payment for a 35 year-old woman injured by shattered broken glass who sustained a laceration of the tendon to the left thumb with surgery that resulted in a disfigurement.

Publications Referencing Decisions

Ross v. Betty G. Reader Revocable Trust, 86 A.D.3d 419, 927 N.Y.S.2d 49 (1st Dept., 2011)
NY Law Journal, February 2, 2010, NYLJ 35 (col. 6), Moore v. Waheed
NY Law Journal, April 13, 2009, NYLJ 35 (col. 5), Nicaj v. Town of Carmel
NY Law Journal, March 27, 2006, NYLJ 18 (col. 1), Celemen v. Jordan
NY Law Journal, July 24, 2006, NYLJ, Diaz v. The City of New York