Our Attorneys Personal Injury Attorneys – Westchester County, White Plains, New York
As one of the leading law firms in the region, Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP (formerly known as Worby Groner Edelman) is home to a team of talented personal injury attorneys who represent clients in Westchester County, White Plains, and throughout New York. With a successful legal record that includes many high-profile cases that have yielded groundbreaking settlements, senior partners David E. Worby, Richard S. Vecchio, and Michael R. Edelman have established a winning reputation for their firm with the help of veteran personal injury attorneys specializing in a variety of practice areas.
David E. Worby
Senior Founding Partner
The founder and a senior partner of the firm, David E. Worby is a nationally recognized trial attorney who has achieved some of the largest results for Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP in many of our highest-profile cases. Demonstrating his status among the top personal injury attorneys in Westchester County and White Plains, New York, David E. Worby’s successes include winning three of the largest personal injury settlements, and, at that time, the largest single verdict on behalf of individual plaintiffs in the history of Westchester. David’s outstanding record of winning jury verdicts has attracted plenty of media coverage, and he has been cited by numerous legal writers. He appears frequently as a guest on TV networks and stations such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, and WOR TV, as well as Court TV, CNN, and Lawline. David also is frequently invited to speak on various radio talk shows such as WEVD and NY 1 Radio, and he has hosted two of his own talk shows: “Worby’s World” and “Worby’s Law.”
Sharing his experience and expertise, David has lectured and been host/speaker for Cornell University, Pace Law School, Villanova Law School, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and various other bar associations. In order to encourage aspiring attorneys, David founded both the David E. Worby Scholarship Fund and the David E. Worby Course in Advanced Trial Practice at his alma mater, Villanova Law School, where he is also a Senior Member of the Development Leadership Council. David works tirelessly for various charities and has received numerous community service awards such as the Westchester Community Opportunity Program Community Service Award, the UJA Federation Westchester Business and Leadership Annual Award, the Phoenix House Annual Community Service Award, and the Yeshiva Ohr Hameir of Westchester Community Annual Service Award. He also sits on the boards of the Avon Theatre Film Center, Student Assistance Services, Kennedy Center For The Arts, endowed a Chair at Cornell University, and funded the Worby Clinical Practice Offices at Villanova University School of Law.
David also was listed in a New York Magazine article featuring the top personal injury attorneys in the New York Metro area. He is a published author in American Trial Lawyers Magazine and his firm was co-lead counsel for the 9/11 class action lawsuit. He was also named as one of the top plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by New York "Super Lawyers" list.
David Worby was named the Best Lawyers® 2020 Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs “Lawyer of the Year” in White Plains, New York and was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 28th Edition of the Best Lawyers in America© for his work in Litigation, Trial Practice and Personal Injury.
David is the recipient of the Judge Learned Hand Award and Westchester County Board of Legislators declared David Worby Day in his honor.
David Worby has been recognized as a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff, once again for 2024, by The National Trial Lawyers. The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers.
Practice Areas: Litigation, trial practice, personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice.
Admitted to Bar: 1977, New York; 1978, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Law School: Villanova University, J.D., 1976 – Academic Law Review, Associate Editor.
Member:
- Westchester County Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- Co-Founder, Advocate for Safety and Accident Prevention (ASAP)
- Member Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated - Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
- Named one of the Top Attorneys in New York - 2012 (as published in the NY Times September 2012)
- Rated AV Preeminent for Thirty Years by Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings and Client Review Ratings
- Named one of the Best Lawyers in America - 2006 - 2024
- Named to the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 New York "Super Lawyers" List
Richard S. Vecchio
Managing Partner
As manager of the complex case unit, Richard S. Vecchio is responsible for litigating and negotiating some of the largest and highest-profile cases handled by Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP. His proficiency in the areas of products liability and construction and labor law has been a key to his success and has boosted his reputation among personal injury attorneys in Westchester County, White Plains, and throughout New York. Richard’s attention to detail and the special relationships he forms with our clients have been critical in obtaining consistent, high-end results year after year and have contributed to our frequent retention as co-counsel and trial counsel by members of the bar. Richard has lectured at continuing legal education programs for the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Westchester County Bar Association.
Beginning on May 1, 2018, Richard began his one year term as President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He is a member of the Executive Committee. He was formerly the Co-Chair of the Westchester County Bar Association Trial Lawyers, Tort Law Committee and member of their Board of Directors and Grievance Committee. In March of 2015 Richard was elected as a Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation by their Board of Directors. Richard was also named as one of the top plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by New York "Super Lawyers" list.
Practice Areas: Litigation, trial practice, personal injury, products liability, labor law, medical malpractice.
Admitted to Bar: 1986, New York and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; 2006 U.S District Court, Northern District
Law School: Boston University School of Law, J.D., 1985.
Member:
- Westchester County Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
- Named one of the Top Attorneys in Westchester - 2012
- Named to the 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 New York "Super Lawyers" List
Michael R. Edelman
Michael R. Edelman has been a well-known figure at the Westchester County Courthouse appearing in court on virtually every matter concerning the firm’s litigation in Westchester for over 30 years. In addition to his work at our legal practice, Mike is a veteran political commentator who could be seen regularly on Cablevision News 12, both on its Newsmakers weekend show as well as on Point-Counter Point in Yonkers. Over the years Mike has been frequently called upon for his take on matters of the day by TV and radio stations, both locally as well as nationally. Michael has also often been referenced in publications such as The New York Times, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, The Journal News and Long Island Newsday. Although Mike no longer appears in court on a daily basis, he nevertheless continues to interact with clients as their cases progress through the courts.
Practice Areas: Trial practice, litigation, personal injury, products liability, zoning law.
Admitted to Bar: 1972, New York; 1975, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
Law School: New York University, J.D., 1972.
Member:
- Westchester County Bar Association
Peter K. Overzat
Partner
Peter has joined us as senior trial attorney at Worby Vecchio & Edelman, LLP.
He practices in all New York State courts as well as the Federal Eastern and Southern District courts and United States Supreme Court.
Having studied at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and becoming a member of the NY Medical-Legal Institute and after graduating from New York Law School, Peter commenced his career at the prestigious litigation firm of Kramer, Dillof & Tessel, later becoming partner in his own firm until 2014.
Since then, he has worked as independent trial counsel to McDermott, Will & Emery - defending asbestos claims, the Law Office of Benedict Morelli representing plaintiffs in catastrophic injury and medical malpractice cases as well as recently being the senior trial counsel to Abrams Fensterman in the defense of members of the New York taxi industry.
He has worked on both the defense and prosecution of mass tort, toxic tort, asbestos and all catastrophic injuries claims related to general negligence, industrial and commercial actions as well as serious injuries occasioned by members of the medical profession.
Peter was a former member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and has lectured along with recognized members of the bench and bar for the New York State Trial Lawyers and New York State Bar Associations.
Raphael J. Basso
Associate
Raphael attended law school at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida where he also earned his Master of Business Administration. During law school, Raphael held prestigious internships which further broadened his experience, clerking for the Hon. Gill S, Freeman in the Complex Business Litigation Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida as well as the National Labor Relations Board.
Following in his father’s footsteps, John J, Basso, an esteemed personal injury lawyer in Dutchess County, NY, Raphael went on to open his own firm, where he focused on plaintiff’s personal injury matters, general litigation and criminal defense cases throughout the State of New York. In 2015, after only two years in practice, Raphael was nominated and selected as a New York State Super Lawyers Rising Star, a designation Raphael is proud to have received each and every year from 2015-2023. Raphael has experience on a wide range of plaintiff’s personal injury matters, including motor vehicle accidents and premises liability cases and has worked on complex product liability and catastrophic injury cases against municipal defendants. Raphael’s success is driven by his dedication to service and the close relationships he develops with his clients.
Admitted to Bar: 2013, New York and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; 2013, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; 2013
Law School: Juris Doctor - St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, Master of Business Administration - St. Thomas University Gus Machado College of Business, Bachelor of Science in Marketing - Quinnipiac University Lender School of Business
Member:
- Westchester County Bar Association
- Dutchess County Bar Association
- New York Super Lawyers Rising Star 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023
James C. Freeman
Of Counsel
James C. Freeman handles various medical malpractice cases at Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP. Jim has vast experience in the field, and has successfully handled numerous such cases. He brings a unique perspective to the practice, as he was previously employed by a defense firm which defended complex medical malpractice cases. Jim was also a former Assistant Westchester County Attorney for five years. This defense experience gives Jim the ability to analyze both sides when it comes to the medical and legal aspects of each case. He is a good listener, which enables Jim to make sure that his clients understand every step of the process. Jim has successfully handled hundreds of personal injury and medical malpractice cases throughout his career. Practice Areas: Litigation, trial practice, medical malpractice and personal injury.
Admitted to Bar: 1990, New York; 1997, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; 1990, State of Connecticut; 2013, United State Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Law School: Pace Law School, 1989
Speaking Engagements:
- Tort Litigation Overview Bridging the Gap – 2018
- CPLR Update Moderator – 2017
- Anatomy of a Trial: Parts I and II – 2017
Member:
- Westchester County Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Heather Nappi
Of Counsel
After graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Heather began practicing law in the state of Michigan where she represented injured drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians that were involved in automobile accidents.
When Heather moved to New York, she specialized in real estate closings and had the pleasure of assisting the public and several Patrolman Benevolent Associations, such as the Rockland County PBA and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, in the areas of Workers’ Compensation, NYS local retirement litigation, General Municipal Law Section 207(a) and 207(c), motor vehicle accidents, and other plaintiff personal injury matters. Heather also had the honor and privilege of assisting several 911 first responders in obtaining benefits under the NY Workers’ Compensation Law and the Victims Compensation Fund (Zadroga Act) which they so rightfully deserved.
Since moving to New York, she has represented claimants in NY Workers’ Compensation and plaintiff personal injury matters ranging from car/motor vehicle accidents, dental and medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, wrongful death, and slip/trip and fall.
Education:
- Case Western Reserve University, B.A, Political Science, Cum Laude
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude
Admissions:
- New York Bar, 2013
- Michigan Bar, 2015
Member:
- Rockland County Bar Association
- Rockland Women’s Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
Contact our Personal Injury Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been harmed due to someone else’s negligence, contact our personal injury attorneys serving Westchester County, White Plains, and all of New York. David E. Worby, Richard S. Vecchio, and Michael R. Edelman, along with our entire veteran legal team, have the experience and expertise needed to help you collect the maximum settlement possible.
