Craig A. Leslie

Practice Areas

Craig is an experienced trial attorney with over 20 years of experience trying high-stakes cases in state and federal court. He also serves as the firm's Litigation Practice Group Leader, a member of the firm's Governing Committee, the firm's Diversity Partner, and as co-leader of the firm's Appellate Practice Team.

Not only is Craig a skilled trial and appellate advocate, he is an authority in tort and product liability defense, commercial litigation and creditors’ rights, personal injury litigation, and real property valuation, tax assessment and eminent domain proceedings. His reputation for responsiveness, tenacity and creative problem-solving are his hallmarks, making him a valued, contributing member of the firm’s Business Litigation, Product Liability and Mass Tort Litigation, Insurance Coverage, Canadian Cross-Border and Personal Injury Defense Litigation Teams, as well as the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee. Clients appreciate Craig’s in-depth knowledge of their businesses and industries, and that he always stands with them, shoulder-to-shoulder, as their advocate and trusted advisor.

Career

Joined Phillips Lytle in 2001 and has been a Partner since 2008.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS); Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Bar Association of Erie County; Defense Research Institute(DRI); New York State Assessors’ Association; New York State Bar Association, 50+ Lawyers Section, Commercial and Federal Litigation Section;

LGBTQ Law Section, Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section; Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, WNY Chapter.

Personal

State University of New York at Buffalo Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 1997; State University of New York at Plattsburgh, B.A., 1994.